James Islington - The Shadow Of What Was Lost

Caeden shook his head, suddenly sick to his stomach. “I don’t know. I couldn’t see them from my cell, just heard the words,” he lied.

Taeris bit his lip. “I know Ilseth Tenvar was in those cells,” he said, almost to himself. “But it sounds like perhaps Athian has more than one traitor in its midst.” He started walking again, lost in thought.

Caeden stared after him for a moment, then trotted to catch up, grimly returning his attention to the road ahead.

Perhaps the Council had been right not to trust him after all.

Wirr stared up at the palace gates with trepidation.

In times of peace they stood open, an invitation for anyone, no matter their rank, to come before the king or one of his Judges and have a complaint heard. They were shut today, of course. Several guardsmen stood at attention in front of them, and assembled in a vaguely threatening manner when Wirr and the others approached.

“Move on,” said one, a grizzled-looking veteran that Wirr didn’t recognise. His tone was firm. “Only members of the court or those with appointments may enter today.”

Aelric raised an eyebrow. “Don’t recognise me, Ethin?”

The man stared at Aelric for a moment, then started. “Young Shainwiere!” He rescanned the group, his eyes coming to rest on Dezia. “And your sister. Of course, of course." His gruff manner had vanished, and he was all smiles now. "My apologies. Princess Karaliene asked that you and your party be brought to her as soon as you arrived, no matter the time, day or night.”

Aelric hesitated. “I’d… hoped to get cleaned up first.” He indicated his clothes, which were showing the wear and tear of travel, not to mention the odd bloodstain.

Ethin smiled. “No offense Aelric, but if it’s a choice of displeasing you or the princess, you’re out of luck.” He slapped Aelric on the back in a familiar fashion. “I heard you did well at the Song?”

Aelric made a face. “Not well enough, I’m afraid.”

Ethin gestured for another guard to open the gate, then led them through. “Second’s still an impressive achievement, lad. And there’s plenty of years left in you, too,” he said cheerfully. He glanced across at Dezia. “I trust you’re well also, Dezia?”

Dezia smiled. “Just glad to be home, Ethin.”

The guardsmen closed the gate behind them. “I hope we can keep it that way,” he said as they headed into the grounds. “You’ve heard about the Blind, of course?”

Aelric inclined his head. “We crossed paths with some of what they left behind. It was not pleasant.”

Ethin nodded, expression solemn. “It will be a relief once General Jash’tar and the rest of our men have dealt with them.” He glanced around, then lowered his voice. “Just a warning - the Houses haven’t been especially happy with things lately. General Parathe has been having some issues keeping the troops that are still here in line, and the king… well, let’s just say that Karaliene will be glad to see you. She could use some friends about now.”

Wirr listened with interest. That the Houses were causing problems was hardly surprising, and certainly nothing new… but Ethin’s tone had indicated something more was going on. Something serious.

They made their way through the palace corridors. Little had changed; every time they rounded a corner Wirr found himself reliving another childhood memory. He’d played with Karaliene in these halls. He smiled briefly as they passed a large floral vase on a pedestal. That was at least one thing that was different; as a child, such decorative displays had been removed, lest they meet an accidental demise at his and Karaliene’s hands.

But those days, unfortunately, were long gone. His smile faded as his thoughts returned to what lay ahead.

Ethin guided them to the princess’ quarters, pausing outside to let Karaliene’s attendant know who was there to see her. After a moment inside, the woman returned.

“The princess will see them immediately,” she said to Ethin.

Ethin nodded. “Time for me to go back to my post, then,” said the grizzled guard. He nodded to Aelric. “Good to see you again, lad.”

Aelric smiled. “You too, Ethin.”

Wirr, Aelric and Dezia entered Karaliene’s chambers. Wirr was surprised to see that they were relatively unadorned; the princess had been fond of decorations and finery in her earlier years. Karaliene herself reclined, apparently at ease, in a chair over to one side – but the dark circles beneath her eyes, covered though they were with makeup, betrayed her. Wirr had never seen her looking so tired.

She gave a brief smile when she saw them, a glimmer of relief flickering across her face before her usual calm, composed look was restored.

“You may leave us, Nelisi,” she said to the older woman, her tone polite but firm. The attendant curtsied and shuffled from the room.

As soon as the door had closed Karaliene leapt from her chair, her smile returning. “You’re safe!” she exclaimed, hugging first Dezia, then Aelric, then Wirr. “It‘s been so long, and with the Blind coming….” She let out a deep breath.

“It was a near thing, Your Highness,” said Aelric. He waited for the princess to sit, then sat in one of the chairs opposite. He peered at her, eyes narrowing. “You look exhausted.” He paused, reddening as he suddenly remembered who he was talking to. “I apologise, Your Highness. That’s not to say…”

Karaliene, much to everyone’s surprise, threw back her head and laughed. She quickly contained her mirth, but traces of amusement still played around her lips. “That might be the first honest thing I’ve heard in weeks,” she said, shaking her head. She gave Aelric a rueful smile. “You can dispense with the formalities, Aelric. Nobody can hear us in here. And, honestly, you’re no picture of health yourself.” She gestured pointedly to Aelric’s torn and bloodstained clothes.

Aelric smiled back in relief, happy she hadn’t taken offense. “I’m just glad Ethin recognised me.”

“That was a stroke of luck,” agreed Karaliene. She paused, looking at Wirr. “What of the others you were travelling with?”

"Taeris and Caeden went to Tol Athian, to see if they are willing to restore Caeden’s memories," said Wirr. He looked at the ground. "Davian… didn’t make it."

Karaliene’s smile slipped. "I’m so sorry, Tor."

There was silence for a few moments, and then Karaliene glanced up at Aelric. "You know who this is, now?"

Aelric just nodded, looking slightly abashed.

"Good. Then I don’t need to tell you again how important it is to keep the details of your journey a secret?"

"No. We won’t say anything," Aelric assured her.

Karaliene nodded her acknowledgement, then looked at Dezia, smiling. "I’ll hear all about the trip later, I’m sure… but first I should catch up with Torin."

Dezia inclined her head, then grabbed her brother and pulled him out of the room.

"So," Karaliene sighed once they had left. "It seems I owe you an apology."

Wirr raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"You warned me about the Boundary. Weeks before the invasion." Karaliene grimaced. "I should have listened."

"You believe me now?"

"I believe at least some of it - and I’d be foolish not to at least consider the rest. There have been no signs of any dar’gaithin, but the things we’ve been hearing about the Blind…" Karaliene shook her head.

"And my father?"

"Isn’t sure what to think at the moment. I told him you’d ended up in Desriel because you were investigating the Boundary, and that you’d promised to explain everything to him when you got back. That at least got him thinking about where the Blind might be from." She looked him in the eye. "He’s going to want to know everything, Tor."