Chapter 322

She had never been to this part of the city. Elain looked around as she walked, Ashk beside her, and she listened to the other Courtiers discussing this and that happening around the Day Court. Elain hadn't realised that so much was going on, or that they had played such large roles in the events that had occurred when the other High Lords had visited. She had been completely unaware of so much that had gone on, but she figured she had been pretty distracted by her own goings ons with Lucien.

Tisia came to walk beside them and Elain glanced across at her, eyeing the other female out of the corner of her eye. She could see that the pretty dark haired one was trying to work out what to say and Elain could easily read the nervousness in those delicate features. Ashk, it seemed, took pity on Tisia because the Lady of the Autumn Court made a small sound of exhalation before clearing her throat. "I am glad that I have finally managed to join you." Ashk said, "This part of the city is quite lovely."

"Yes." Tisia smiled, clearly relieved, "This is one of my favourite places to walk." Green eyes flicked between Ashk and Elain, "We are actually on our way to my favourite Cake Shop." Tisia grinned then, "They always give us something refreshing to drink on our walks." Elain wondered if that was free because they would be afraid not to please the Courtiers, but it seemed as if Tisia had read that question on her face because she added, "The High Lord donates a large sum to them once a month."

"Ah." Elain nodded, thinking that made sense.

"Also, it does them a service." Tisia said with another smile, "Because everyone knows that we will be there most mornings and so anyone who wants to tell us anything or has a problem they would like to bring to our attention will show up as well. It's good for business."

"I suppose it would be." Elain agreed. "Anywhere that the members of the Court would frequent would have to be amazing." She figured the prestige the Cake Shop received through Tisia and her friends going every day would be worth even more than whatever generous sum Helion donated once a month. Her stomach rumbled then and she gave a small laugh. "We just had breakfast, but now that I know there is cake coming up, I'm ready for more."

"It will be so very worth it." Amala put in, coming to walk on the other side of Tisia. Elain glanced back over her shoulder to see Kera striding along behind them, her eyes sweeping the street around them as she did so. The blonde hadn't said a word to them since she had been alone with herself and Ashk before the others had arrived back at the palace. In fact, Kera had hardly looked at them, choosing to walk with and speak to others and act, for the most part, as if Elain and Ashk were not even present.

"How many usually show up to speak with you?" Ashk asked, and Elain returned her attention to Tisia, wanting to hear the answer to that.

"It depends on what is going on…" Tisia mused, "Sometimes it can be only a handful, but other times the place is full."

"And what kinds of problems are common?"

"Legal disputes sometimes." Amala put in. "Other times they get stressed out they might not be able to meet the tithe…"

"And what does Helion typically do in those situation?" Ashk asked, her voice gentle. Elain slanted a glance at Ashk at that. No doubt there would be a comparison with Beron, and she didn't think she would have such a hard time imagining what Beron would have done to his subjects who couldn't pay the tithe.

"This and that." Tisia said. "He's usually quite fair about it… But then the Court has been doing well and it hasn't been a huge problem in a while."

Elain was unsurprised by this news, figuring that fit with the image she had of who Helion was. She grinned a moment later when they came around a corner and a bright pink and purple shop came into view and Tisia did a little skip.

"Here it is."

"It looks just as I thought it would." Elain grinned, following the others inside. As promised there was a tray of several different kinds of hot drinks waiting for them, and Elain accepted a small mug handed to her by Tisia. "What is this?"

"A delicious tea." Tisia said, taking a sip of her own as she turned her green eyes on the small gathering by the window. "… here they are."