VII

o0o

The morning air was blessedly cool as Sialeni rose from the bed, performing her morning ablutions and selecting a dress and light mantle for the day. Irindu moved with almost identical precision, weaving around her and the maidservant There was much to do nowadays, but Sialeni had been especially looking forward to today, for she would be receiving her first formal lesson in magic – the Thamonese way.

Seven elements made up the universe. Four elements made up the physical world, and the remaining three were seen as part of the immaterial world. White magic was the provenance for healing magic and purification, hence its association with light. Black, on the other hand, manipulated shadows and darkness – inevitably, that magic would be referred to as Black, and seen as tainted by the Dark Sister according to the Way of the Light. And for the magic that did not manifest in the physical realm but could not be quite classified as white or black, gray was the default classification. This would include abilities such as gaining glimpses of past events.

Magic was relatively uncommon, though not to be so rare that it had to be kept hidden. For some families, magic could bind itself to the bloodline, so that one who was a Fire Mage could hope that at least one of their children or grandchildren inherited the gift. For others, the gift appeared randomly, often welcomed into families who were then expected to nurture the gift positively, and serve the greater good of society with it because these gifts were seen as blessings from the Heavenly Father.

There hadn't been any magic in the Oronac bloodline at all for at least several generations. Sialeni's magic was an unexpected, and to some, unwelcome power. Her brother was jealous of her, wishing that he had his own magic. Sialeni had always been glad he didn't because she did not doubt that he would find a way to abuse such power. Heliert tried to s her on what he deemed a proper path by having her trained in the ways of healing magic.

Water magic was not the same as White magic but could be conducive to mending flesh when applied properly. However, she did not have any aptitude for magic in this capacity, despite her best efforts to follow the teachings of the nurses and nuns who'd been her tutors. It did not help that the sight of blood or injuries made her woozy.

She turned to Irindu as they left the chamber. "I know you're not a mage, but what do you know about magic?"

"The elements shape our world, magic or not. It just so happens that some people can tap into that natural energy. There are also those who can not use magic but can sense the energy used for magic and can detect when magic is being worked. Still, others not gifted with the magic can coax it with the proper tools. I do not study the magical arts, but your new teacher should be able to answer any further questions you have. I only know the basic principles."

After a quick breakfast, Irindu led her charge to the royal garden, where a middle-aged and slightly portly man awaited them. His hair was pulled back in a plain braid, and he had a thick beard. His attire had the military austerity she'd noticed among the soldiers of the Onshae Thamo. One of the first things she noticed was his aura. Sensing the magic in someone else's aura was one thing that came easily to Sialeni, and with her inner eye, saw shades of cool green and blue flow along his body, faint but perceptible if she looked. It was the strongest aura of Water magic she had ever sensed.

The two faced one another and did their respective bows. The man greeted her in Thamonese, and she responded in kind before adding that it was a pleasure to meet him. He raised his eyebrow slightly before he gave the briefest of nods, perhaps in approval.

"My lady, this is Mardu Shwato. He has served as a teacher of Water magic for over a decade now in the army and has trained many of our Water mages." The Thamonese woman turned to Mardu, speaking in Thamonese. Sialeni was able to make out some of it, including her new name and title. Lady Sialeni Starsmore. As she spoke, Mardu regarded the blonde woman in silence. Finally, Irindu stopped.

He spoke, and Irindu repeated his words in Araithalen to ensure clarification. "You are not a child, so I will not treat you as such. Tell me what you know of your craft, so I can see where we may best begin our lessons."

"I can sense water nearby, and have practiced it much. I have been instructed in the healing arts, but I must admit that it eludes my full understanding. I am learned in the basic principles of all the other ways of magic. But the most advanced magic texts are kept in the custody of the priests, so I was denied further education."

"I will hide nothing from you, so long as you are willing to learn."

The pair stared at one another for a moment before Sialeni spoke. "You have but to speak. I am listening."

He beckoned to the women, and they followed him to the fountain. Its surface was clear of leaves and other debris, She stood by his side, staring at their reflections in the water.

"What is water said to represent?" Mardu asked as Irindu stood behind the pair, interpreting.

"Emotion and intuition?" she asked, wondering if the Onshae Thamo held different beliefs about what the elements were tied to. He nodded.

"Each path of magic is tied with a thing that makes us who we are. Each of these things is essential for who and what we are, and so dark magic is no better or worse than light."'

"What is it that dark magic corresponds to?"

"Spirituality. Just as Light magic does. They are two aspects of the same force."

Sialeni could not help but think of Kuojin, and his mastery of Black magic, and the kind of person he was. Yes. For people who were said to be corrupted for their affiliation with darkness, the Thamonese had proven themselves to be civil beyond what most could have hoped for from Araithalens had the situation been reversed.

"And the other ways? Earth is strength, Air is will, Fire is passion?"

"Air is honor. Honor is as valuable as the air we breathe, to not have it is living a life that means nothing,"

Well. That was something to ponder. "And gray… is submission?" Dark magic was the one element out of seven that the Dark Sister had managed to wrest from her elder brother, so the Holy Book said. At the end of days, the Heavenly Father would defeat his wayward sibling and reclaim the element as his own, and purify it. But no one knew what the element had originally been. Until then, people were supposed to avoid it. Gray, on the other hand, was submission to the Heavenly Father's divine will.

Mardu shook his head. "Compassion." He paused, with a frown. "What you call the Way of the Light, does not have a correct view of light, dark, and in between. But I can see that you have made an effort to learn beyond the limits others have set on you. Tell me, how often do you meditate?"

She raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Meditate?"

"When you sit quietly and contemplate?"

"I enjoy doing that. It's not considered proper for an Araithalen woman, because it is said that unoccupied hands lead to mischief, especially in women. But I find that being by myself, especially in a place like this, is… peaceful for me. I enjoyed the rare opportunities I got to sit here at this fountain by myself." If a woman wanted to be alone, she was expected to pray, so that in solitude, her mind would be firmly fixed upon the Way of the Light. More often than not, Sialeni had let her mind wander to things that the Heavenly Father was known to disapprove of while appearing to be the picture of piety, her head bowed, hands folded in front of her.

"In someone with strong magical ability, being near one's element often brings a sense of peace and balance which is conducive to meditation. If the foundation is so pleasant to you, you will enjoy the ocean, though you may find it overwhelming at first. Meditation is also very conducive to one's magic. Is that something you were taught?" he asked.

"Unfortunately, no."

"Well then, I believe that is where we will start our lessons. Take a deep breath..."

o0o

"Lady Starsmore!" Sialeni heard one of her maids say. She looked up to see the young woman out of breath as if she'd just run through the Palace. The lady in question was resting, reclined in a chair as Irindu was telling her a traditional Thamonese children's story. Irindu paused her story.

"What is it, Agnes?" Sialeni asked, pulling herself up a bit.

"You have an audience, my lady. I'm sorry, but I could think of no one else better than you to help my cousins. They're here now, but of course, if you're occupied..."

Sialeni glanced at Irindu. "Would it be impolite to pause the story and continue it later?" she asked.

"In some cases, yes. But this seems important, so I will be happy to continue the story of the foolish farmer boy later."

"Thank you, my lady! They are in the Mother's Court."

As part of the difference in privileges afforded to the genders in Araithale, the justice system had a somewhat informal arrangement for women to minister justice amongst themselves, if the matter was deemed to not be of concern to males. It could be used for discord between sisters, female friends, different female members of an extended family, and even female servants.

The Palace had a room near the Mother's Chapel for this function. It was here that Selestia or other senior women would sit with disputers and meditate on the issue before coming to a final decision. A wooden chair sat in front of a carved stone relief of the Mother staring down at the room, and several benches were lined up neatly in the space afforded. Sialeni took the chair and greeted her petitioners.

The two women that awaited her had a passing resemblance to Agnes with similar shades of frizzy brown hair, and were ordinary-looking women clad in the usual peasant's garb, though it looked like they had made an effort to clean themselves up before coming here. Like most Araithalen women in this clime, the women were clad in light tunics over ankle-length shifts and wore sandals.

"Please state your grievance," Sialeni said, waving her hand. One of the women stepped forward.

"Our father owned a bakery. He died several moons ago, and we have no living brother, so control of the bakery went to our uncle, who insists that we work for him for nothing more than shelter even though a man who did our work would be paid in coin. He is also a drunkard who drinks down the profit from our hard work. Our father raised us in the craft of baking, and our uncle knows next to nothing as he was a member of the city guard after leaving the family home when he was old enough. We understand that under Thamonese law, the bakery is ours by right, and so we have come to plead that case."

"You presume correctly," Sialeni said with a brief nod. "Though your father died before the new laws came into effect, I am confident that the Governor-General would agree with me that the new law would benefit the two of you. In the meanwhile, why don't the two of you stay here as my guests?" She would need to summon a scribe and have him draft an announcement and then seal it. The women could then return with an official decree in hand, though Sialeni suspected that she might need to send a few guards to help enforce the order.

A thought came to her, and she turned to Agnes. "How did they come to be here? Surely it is known to petition The Lady or Lord Tekura, or one of their officials…"

Agnes frowned a bit. "It was only by chance that I came across them when I was fetching water. They said they had been sent to petition you directly and were looking for the correct person to approach, so I sent them to the Ladies' Court. Did I do wrongly?"

"No." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. It seemed that these women had been sent to her because she was deemed a suitable judge. After all, she had taken her mother's place as the most senior female in what remained of the Araithalen court. Were they testing her, or was it a gesture of goodwill? Would she receive more petitioners? Now there was a thought.

o0o

Sialeni had wasted no opportunity with her guests, asking them about their neighbors and customers to get a better idea of how Araithalen commoners were responding to Thamonese rule. Just as with the nobles, the reactions among the poorer ranks of society were mixed. However, the Tekuras had taken an important step to increase their chances of gaining favor among their new subjects.

The lavish Palace of the Sun, and the lifestyles of the favored nobles, did not come without cost, and it was their social inferiors who had paid that cost. Taxes had been high, especially under the last few rulers. Ostensibly, this money was supposed to be for the betterment of the country, and part of the collected funds did go to necessary projects such as laying bridges and roads, or the army.

However, much of the money was also wasted on religious works, such as lavish temples and monuments, which kept the clergy happy to serve their masters – the ones on earth, at least. The rulers of Araithale were often greedy and selfish, but they were not without intelligence and recognized the value of religion in keeping the populace under control.

It was these same churches and other public artifacts that gave the Tekura a valuable source of plunder. Gold and jewel-encrusted depictions of the Heavenly Father among other icons, and the coffers of the clergy, enabled the Tekura to fatten their purses and pay their soldiers. Of course, such actions were bound to elicit outrage in more than a few people, but when the typical farmer or low-level laborer learned that their taxes had been cut to much more reasonable limits, the fact that they were better able to take care of their families made the transition easier.

They also celebrated the fact that they no longer had to pay their seithes to the clergy, who in many cases were no less susceptible to abuses of power than the nobles. The seithe – one in every seven coins – was one of the mandates of the Holy Book as a way to prove one's loyalty to the Heavenly Father and his earthly representatives. For peasants, one-seventh of their income or harvest had to be sacrificed, with no profit for their efforts except for a few blessings. And more of that meager seasonal income was claimed by their provincial lords, and even more by the kings of Araithale.

Was it any wonder, Sialeni mused, that the Onshae Thamo Empire should be so prosperous? After all, her lot had improved, and Sialeni knew that had someone offered her a chance to become a Princess again, and to have her country restored, she would have sneered at them/

"May I speak to you for a moment?" she asked Azami after they'd just finished their evening sup. Azami nodded.

"Earlier today, two women were sent to me. I am unsure if this was intentional or not?"

Azami gave out a wry chuckle. "It was no mistake, Sialeni. You have been afforded many privileges here. However, as generous as we can be, we do not give idly, or freely."

"So I am to work for my privileges," Sialeni replied. It was an observation, not a complaint. "And my verdict..."

"It was the one I was hoping for," came Azami's reply.

Sialeni was silent for a moment, pondering what she could say next. Had listening to these womens' cases been an unpleasant experience? Hardly. In fact, she had enjoyed being able to help these women, and she would welcome the opportunity to help others. Finally, she inclined her head in a bow. "It is my honor."

Azami bowed back before she turned away to speak with someone else who had just approached her. Sialeni stepped back. Feeling a hand on her elbow, she turned to see Kuojin.

o0o

Kuojin welcomed the chance for a quiet evening walk with Sialeni after such a long day. There were times on occasion that he could hardly believe he was with his princess. And not only that, but he was in a position to have her. Had he never been taken to Onshae Thamo, he was bitterly aware of the fact that Araithalen society would never allow him to be with a princess of this prideful land. Had they had a relationship, the only way for it to survive would be if it had been illicit. Discovery would result in his likely death, and probably at least castration while Sialeni's reputation would be so tarnished that her marriage prospects would be drastically lowered. That was if she didn't end up shut away in a convent.

"Thank you for sending me Mardu," he heard her say. He looked down at her and gave her a slow nod.

"No need to thank me. I am only too glad to give you the opportunities you should have, anyway."

"Sometimes I still can't believe that the men of Onshae Thamo aren't afraid to let a woman fight at their side, or practice magic with them."

"A man should not be afraid of being bettered by someone of the other sex. A true warrior always strives to elevate their skill, and to meet a worthy peer or adversary helps in that. Skill is skill, regardless of who holds it, and should be employed in any opportunity. True mastery comes from surpassing your peers on your virtue, not by the pain of others."

"I have the feeling that Solan would decry that statement."

Kuojin gave out a small snort. Years ago, when he'd served as squire here, there had been rumors that Solan had one of his servants tamper with the equipment of a young nobleman who was better than he at swordsmanship. This caused the rival to lose his match with the prince. Solan was well-known to be a sore loser, and his inflated ego blinded him to his many shortcomings.

"Nonetheless, one can always hope that some time on the Islands will improve his thinking."

"Are they really to spend the rest of their lives there?"

"Other than execution, this is the only solution that we deem viable."

She turned to look at him. To his relief, she had never offered him any recrimination on how her family had been treated. He'd done his best to assure her of peace and safety for her in Onshae Thamo, and even happiness.

"Well… anyway. Mardu said some things today which helped me think about my magic and how I can wield it."

"That is good to know. I was able to control my Fire magic under the tutelage I had back then, but it wasn't until I came to Onshae Thamo that I could make the fullest use of my Fire magic, however little of it I have."

"It makes me wonder, how did Araithalen culture come about in the first place? Why didn't women fight more back then when men started making up all these stupid rules? And I doubt the Holy Book was written by the Heavenly Father himself."

"Some things are so old that it's hard to say where they come from," Kuojin commented, recalling the scriptures from the Holy Book he'd had to memorize back then. The further one went back into history, the more obscured details became. Only if there was a way to be able to read history clearly! "Fortunately, the Holy Book will fade away in history, in time." And good riddance. The clerics claimed that the Heavenly Father spoke directly into the ears of the very first Earthfather, who then repeated these words to his followers, and thus the words were recorded for posterity.

"And so will we," Sialeni retorted.

"But you and I should leave behind a better legacy."

She smiled a little at that. "And after I have mastered your language and my magic, what shall I do? I am still the head of House Fiori." She paused, looking serious. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but… would it be expected of me to marry? Or what if I meet someone I like, would I have the freedom to be courted?"

He chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment, trying to think of how to best answer her question. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at the pale-haired woman, knowing that this was an opportunity to speak of his feelings. Yet there was trepidation at the possibility that Sialeni might reject any idea of romance with him. To hell with it, Kuojin told himself. He'd waited long enough.

"I have to be honest with you, my princess. I care for you very deeply. Being with you again has brought me untold joy. I want to be the one for you."

She was silent for a moment, her lips parted slightly as she regarded him. What did he read in her eyes? As if she sensed what he was looking for, she quickly looked down.

"Am I that bad of a prospect?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light. She blinked and looked back at him.

"No, no. It's not that! It's just..." She was getting a bit flustered, and it was nice to see a bit of emotion amidst her normally cool demeanor.

"Just what?" He took a step closer.

"I didn't expect this." She took a deep breath.

"My princess, you know I care for you. Should this be such a surprise?"

"I don't know." She paused. "Is there someone else? Back in Onshae Thamo?"

"No." The truth rolled easily off his tongue. "Do you think me so lowly that I'd have an affair behind someone's back?"

She had the good grace to appear abashed. "I don't mean like that. I meant you are Crown Prince, after all. I know the expectations of royalty. The troths… surely there is something like it in Onshae Thamo?"

"Yes and no. In Onshae Thamo, a woman can refuse a troth. Some families may try to pressure the girl to enter a troth agreement, but the girl has the final say in the matter. She can not be penalized for refusing a proposal. I have no agreement with anyone, though I've had several proposals." He sighed and shook his head, trying to put her at ease.

"I do not speak idly, my princess. Give me the chance, and I will be the most gracious lover you could imagine. I would treat you like any woman, especially one so divine as yourself, deserves to be treated. Understand that you would have my protection nonetheless. You are a very dear friend to me, Sialeni. I believe that karma has brought us together, and I would like for us to become… much closer. However, I am also an honorable man. As I promised before, you have nothing to fear."

Her eyes moved to the floor as she stood in silence. He regarded her with the same silence, well aware of the beating of his own heart. He couldn't force her to say yes, but he didn't want to hear no.

"You do not need to decide now," he finally stated. Her shoulders sagged just a bit in relief. "I only hope that my candor does not cause you to look at me less favorably."

She blinked and shook her head. "No, no. I don't want you to be less than honest with me." She paused and sighed.

"You made me a promise, so I will make my vow to you. I will not exploit your feelings for me, Kuojin. Regardless of what becomes of us, you have my loyalty and my secrecy for whatever you may choose to share with me. This I promise you."

It was not the declaration of love and passion that Kuojin dared hope for, but it gave him some satisfaction."Let us seal this agreement, then," he whispered, taking hold of her hands and drawing her near. His lips found hers as his hands lifted to cup the sides of her face. Prudence was valued in the Onshae Thamo, but Kuojin felt daring.

Her lips were warm and sweet, and he gently ran his tongue along her lower lip, feeling her hands flutter against him before one came to rest on his chest. The other one went to his arm. He felt his desire pool into a tight knot within the lowest depths of his core. The hand that had been on his chest made its way up his neck, and he felt her fingers tremble against his jaw.

He started to give her lip the lightest nibble before Sialeni pulled back.

"...Sialeni." Her name came from his throat in a husky whisper. After that taste of her, he found himself fiercely aching for more. If her lips were so tasty, what other flavors might he discover along her body? Just the thought of that only made his arousal ache all the more.

He took a deep breath, trying to collect his senses enough to think coherently. It was no easy task, as the image of Sialeni waiting for him in his bed, ready to receive his ardor, continued to haunt him even as he tried to focus his mind on more mundane topics.

"Perhaps I should retire for the night," he heard her whisper. He blinked and raised one eyebrow.

"Did you not find that kiss enjoyable?" he asked. She looked away, her eyelashes fluttering a little.

"Modesty is an admirable trait in women… and men. However, there's no need for you to be shy," he said with a purr as he took a step toward her. "After all, if you enjoyed it, it would be my delight to give you another."

She looked back at him. "I will not lie to you, so I will simply maintain my… modesty."

A slow smirk spread across his lips. "You do know that silence can sometimes be more telling than words?"

She shrugged, and he chuckled softly. "I will allow you to maintain your silence, my princess, if that makes you feel better. However, it is my fondest hope that you do not feel the need to be so reticent in the future."

"One can always dream."

"The only thing better than a pleasant dream is for it to become reality," Kuojin replied, challenging her just a bit, enjoying this banter between them.

"Well, I have often dreamed of putting my brother in his place, and it certainly was gratifying to have the chance to do so. So yes, I see the wisdom in your statement."

"Having revenge on someone who deserves it certainly can be satisfying enough, but I seek a different kind of satisfaction with you."

"I think it is time to change the subject," Sialeni replied. Kuojin wasn't sure if it was simply his wishful thinking, but he was fairly sure he saw a twinkle in her eye.

"As the lady wishes."

o0o

It was almost disturbing, the responses that Kuojin was able to elicit from her body. Sialeni knew she wasn't attracted to women, but the thought of marriage was something she found repugnant, especially with the men that her father had permitted to court her. The very notion of sharing a bed with any of these men, regardless of age or level of handsomeness, literally made her cringe, even now.

Her hand slid along her thigh as Sialeni sat there behind the screen as she washed, wondering what it might feel like for Kuojin to touch her there, and in more intimate areas...

No. She had to stay strong and resolute. She'd heard of stories of passion, and although the Heavenly Father deemed it sinful outside of the sacred confines of marriage, many of his followers, especially some that presented the outward image of piety, could be the most blatant hypocrites.

Her head lolled back as she closed her eyes, resolutely pulling her hand away from her thigh. Despite her determination, she knew it would be a task easier said than done because she did find him attractive on a physical level. That he was so respectful and kind to her only added even more to his favor.

She finished bathing herself and wrung the washcloth dry, draping it over the top of the screen before dumping the bowl of water out the window, watching as it splashed harmlessly down the wall and onto the ground. Pulling on a clean shift, she thought of the words she'd exchanged with her admirer. Despite Kuojin's promise to her, she did not doubt that he would find ways to remind her of their shared attraction, and she dreaded it. Yet, as she felt the material slide along her erect nipples as she pulled it down her body, she could not help but imagine what it might feel like to have his fingers brush against these nubs… and his lips…

"Damnit!" she exclaimed softly.

"Is something the matter, my lady?" Agnes asked as she took away the washbowl.

"Yes… er, no." Sialeni took a slow breath as she quickly pulled on a robe. It was of a Thamonese design, with sleeves that one could store a limited amount of objects in, as was common among some shirts and robes that she'd seen among the Thamonese. The material was plain dark purple silk, a color that she found appealing.

Agnes regarded her with a quizzical expression, but fortunately, did not press the matter.