Goddess of Destiny

By Ashley Abbiss

Tassi has been cleared of attempting to assassinate ‎the Queen, and now her sixteenth birthday is fast ‎approaching. For a follower of Atrios, that means ‎Transition, when one becomes an adult. Tassi wants to ‎go home to Falodirian for that, so she, Niari, Carlitha ‎and all their friends, including the King and Queen, ‎prepare to set out on the journey, accompanying ‎Keladryn and his party as they head home. ‎

But, the New Elithimites may not be finished with ‎them yet.‎

Meanwhile Warin, goddess of prophecy and destiny, ‎with the rather dubious help of her Uncle Atrios and the ‎rather more useful aid of her mother, Cazovania, is ‎working on getting Niari and Keladryn together. That ‎mating is an essential part of the Plan of the gods, and ‎Niari and Keladryn have been in love for years, so it ‎should be a simple task. But several years ago, the evil ‎goddess Elithim tried to cheat by changing a prophecy, ‎and that had repercussions that no one, not even Warin ‎herself, was prepared for. One of those was that ‎Keladryn became Atrios’ high priest. That’s a major ‎problem because the priests of Atrios have always been ‎celibate. Atrios has been persuaded to change that law. ‎The problem is convincing Keladryn that something he ‎always believed was wrong is now not only right, but ‎necessary. The three-week journey to Falodirian seems ‎the perfect opportunity to convince him that he can’t live ‎without Niari. ‎
But, with Atrios obstructing Warin at every turn, ‎that’s going to be a lot more work than it ought to be. ‎

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ashley Abbiss
• Release date: Dec 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370873760

Ashley Abbiss

Hello there. I’m Ashley Abbiss. ‎I live and write in beautiful New Zealand, where I live with one large dog, who looks nothing ‎like Friend from my Daughters of Destiny books. She is, however, almost as intelligent and definitely as ‎opinionated, and if she can’t quite speak in the way Friend does to Niari, that doesn’t really ‎hold her back much!‎I write fantasy, mostly of the epic variety. Let me say right up front that if you’re looking for a quick read, you’re in the wrong place. But if you like a substantial, ‎satisfying story that you can really get your teeth into, stick with me. I may have something ‎you’ll enjoy. There’s no graphic sex in my books. If that’s what you want, you’ll have to look ‎elsewhere. There is violence, and there is swearing, though mostly of the ‘s/he swore’ variety, ‎nothing overly graphic or offensive. I also write about strong, independent female characters, ‎so if your taste runs to something more macho, or something more frilly and helpless, this may ‎not be the place for you. ‎I’ve always loved wandering in different worlds, be they fantasy or science fiction, although ‎lately I tend to prefer fantasy. The only proviso is that they have to be believable worlds, ‎worlds that feel real, that have depth and scope – and they must, absolutely must be fun to ‎visit. I read for escape and entertainment, and I don’t really want to escape from this world ‎into one even grimmer. Trouble, tension, and danger I can deal with, what sort of story would ‎there be without them? Where would Pern be without Thread, Frodo without Sauron, Harry ‎Potter without Voldemort? But there has to be hope, and there has to be a light touch. Happy ‎ever after does have a lot going for it, even if initially it’s only a very small light at the end of ‎a long, dark tunnel. My personal favourites include Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, Anne ‎McCaffrey’s Pern series, and the fantasies of David Eddings, and lately, they’ve been joined ‎by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and a few others. Of those, David Eddings was probably my ‎greatest inspiration.‎I began to wonder if I could create my own world, one just as believable and multi-layered as ‎theirs. Could I create a world with its own history, geography, social structure, deities, and all ‎the rest? One that hung together? That a reader could believe in? It became a challenge, one I ‎really wanted to see if I could meet. So I dusted off my writing skills, learned a few more, ‎cranked up the imagination, and got busy. I’d always been good at creative writing, but ‎though I’d made a few attempts to write after I left school, none of them came to anything. ‎That was until I started writing fantasy. Suddenly, I knew I’d come home. ‎I quickly discovered that I’m not the sort of writer who can plan a book (or a world!) before I ‎start. I just can’t do it. But I can create characters, and suddenly the characters took on a ‎reality of their own and took over the stories, often to the extent that they actually surprised ‎me. And the stories worked. Their world worked. Sometimes I had to go back and fix the ‎odd contradiction, but mostly it worked and was very natural and organic. Even though my ‎first attempts were pitiful, I knew I’d found where I belong. I persevered, I learned, I wrote. ‎I discovered that the characters are key for me. Once I get them right, they tell their own ‎story. I was away. There were dark days during which my stories became my refuge, my ‎characters my friends. And I kept writing. There were happy times when I didn’t need a ‎refuge, but my characters were still my friends, and they drew me inexorably back. I kept ‎writing. ‎And now, I hope my characters may become your friends too, my worlds ones where you also ‎like to walk; perhaps even your refuge from dark days. Come join me in a world where magic ‎is real and the gods are near, where beasts talk and men and women achieve things they never ‎dreamed they could. But most of all, come and have fun! ‎Happy reading.‎Ash.‎

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Warin, goddess of destiny, fortune, and prophecy, sat at the table in her kitchen. A goblet of deep, almost purplish-red wine stood at her elbow, and a parchment was spread before her. She made a small correction, then put down her pen and picked up the cup, sipping contentedly as she read through what she had written. Another minor adjustment and she pushed the parchment away, satisfied.

The new prophecy for Morv was complete. She carefully rolled and tied it. She would have to deliver it, both to the god himself and to whichever of her prophets she chose to proclaim it to his followers, but that could wait for now. Morv, god of the storm and of war, lived up to his appellation. Warin could almost count on some sort of complaint or criticism from the tempestuous god, if not about her work then about the other gods or the universe in general, and she wasn't at all sure that she could cope with him right at that moment.

Instead, she kicked off her shoes, refilled her wine cup, and leant back in her chair, letting the tension drain out of her as the gentle sounds of her world enfolded her. She was just beginning to think that she had better stir herself when there came a knock at the door and a call asking whether she was home. Hoping it wasn't Morv, come to see where his prophecy was, Warin went to answer it.

Ker! Warin cried delightedly, embracing her visitor.

Hello, old girl, the god of the oceans grinned. Haven't seen you for ages.

Who's fault's that? Warin demanded, still grinning. I've been back long enough.

Oh, well, Ker shrugged. I've been meaning to get here, but you know how it is.

Warin knew very well how it was. Ker, blond, tanned, husky and wildly attractive, wasn't the most reliable being in the universe. When he did turn up for a visit, it was usually because he wanted something. Warin wondered wryly what it was this time. But for all his faults it was hard not to like Ker. There was a sense of boyish mischief about him that always made her want to laugh. He was a good friend as long as you didn't expect too much, and a wonderful lover as long as you didn't try to tie him down.

And when the chips were down, you couldn't wish for anyone better at your side. Ker was only unreliable about things that didn't really matter. The sailors, fishermen and sea creatures who relied on him to protect them from the storms of his brother Morv knew that. They were devoted to him and he to them.

I missed you, Ker said with what Warin knew very well to be wholly dubious sincerity.

She was willing to bet that he hadn't spared her more than a passing thought or two in all the centuries she'd been away. But now, he moved forward to embrace her.

Enjoy your stay down there among the humans? he asked, referring to the several lifetimes Warin had spent as a human being.

Very much.

I know something we can do that they can't, Ker murmured in her ear, moving his hands down to cup her buttocks and pressing himself closer. Morv's whipping up a storm on the Southern Ocean. How long is it since you made love on the wings of a storm?

Since the last time you asked me, of course.

Well then…?

I have to deliver the prophecy I just finished for Morv, Warin said.

I told you, Ker said, his voice muffled as he kissed her throat. He's busy right now. You know you'll never get Morv's attention when he's busy making a storm. Come on, Warin. I've missed you. Honest.

You shouldn't have said 'honest', Warin informed him primly. It makes it obvious that you're lying.

Ker looked a little like a kicked puppy. Warin knew she shouldn't feel sorry for him. She knew it was all an act, but she couldn't help herself. Besides, she did like Ker, and there was something decidedly erotic about a really good storm.

She sighed. All right.

Yes! Ker cried, grabbing her and spinning her around. He bent to kiss her, and as his mouth closed on hers, they were suddenly among roiling clouds. Lightning sizzled the air nearby, and the wind tore at them. Warin staggered against Ker, and he took the opportunity to tighten his grip on her.

Whoa! she cried, shouting over the din. He's really letting go! What's got him so excited?

I don't really know. Who cares?

Warin wiped dripping hair out of her eyes. I didn't realise it would be this violent. Are you sure you shouldn't be down there looking out for your people? I pity any human who's out on the ocean in this.

I told the seers about it days ago. Anyone in the deep ocean will be able to ride it out. Anyone nearer to shore will have been warned. If they go out now, it's their own fault. Besides, anyone in trouble can always call me.

Warin nodded. I wish we could see the ocean.

That can be arranged.

Ker waved a hand and opened a window in the clouds, much as Warin was often wont to do with her tabletop at home. She looked down. There, leagues below them, the grey-green waters churned and heaved as the wind whipped the surface to a white froth.

I love a good storm, Ker murmured in her ear as he began to peel away her sodden clothes.

Much later, their passion sated, they rode the wings of the dying storm wrapped in each other's arms. They had ridden it far out over the ocean, and the window that Ker opened on the world below showed them only vast expanses of water. The whitecaps had gone, but the surface still heaved in a ponderous swell that made Warin feel slightly nauseous.

Where are we? she asked lazily.

About halfway to the polar ice, Ker informed her. I'll take us back, shall I?

He made a small motion of his arm, and there was suddenly land on the horizon.

The Bay of Bish, Ker said.

Ker took them down to a desolate beach backed by cliffs. Rocks littered the base of the cliffs, and a river emptied itself into the sea a short distance away. Ker led the way to a large flat rock and they sat looking out towards the ocean.

What a mess! Warin said, noticing the flotsam the storm had thrown up.

Ker shrugged. People will come and take away the usable bits, and the rest will soon be covered by sand. In a few months, there'll be nothing left to see, just a beach that's a little higher than it used to be, while somewhere else is a little lower. That's how the coastline changes. Morv always creates as much as he destroys. Nothing's ever lost, it only changes. The god looked around. The world would be a very boring place without Morv and his storms.

Warin cocked an eyebrow at him. When did you become Morv's High Priest? she asked mischievously.

Ker looked a little taken aback for a moment, then he laughed. I suppose I always have been if you want to look at it that way. My brother isn't always easy to understand. He needs someone to stick up for him.

Most people would consider Morv very well able to stick up for himself, Warin said.

And most people would be wrong, Ker said seriously. Morv's sensitive. Criticism hurts him deeply, and he's not good at defending himself.

Uh, Ker… you're preaching to the converted here, Warin reminded him.

Ker grinned sheepishly. Sorry, Warin. I tend to get a bit passionate about my brother. People so often only see the violent destructive side of him. They forget how much he creates. He gestured at the sand around them. This beach wasn't here a hundred years ago. Morv's built it up out of storm wrack and sand brought in on his storms and material washed down from the land. He turned back to Warin. That brings me to something I wanted to talk to you about, actually.

Oh?

I've got a bit of an argument going on among my followers, and I'm not sure how best to resolve it.

An argument about what?

About where to site the main temple.

I thought it was at Byfasi.

It was. It is. But that harbour's been silting up for the last couple of centuries. The city is now the best part of a league from the sea, and it's dying as the shipping moves elsewhere. It's just not suitable any more.

You let Morv do that to your holy city?

Ker pulled a face. We had a bargain. He agreed to leave it alone for a thousand years. The thousand years is up.

Well, I don't quite see the problem. Surely all you have to do is find a seaport.

Ker's grimace deepened. It's not quite that simple, Warin. Every seaport of any consequence in Kerath seems to think that it should be chosen, and just to top everything off nicely, now the Bishines are beginning to agitate to have it sited there. They have a point, actually. I have at least as many followers in Bish now as I do in Kerath, possibly more. What am I going to do, Warin? Some of them are on the verge of war. A contingent from one city attacked another and burned their temple last week, and the last I heard, Kerath had threatened to cut off diplomatic relations with Bish because some city mayor or other insinuated that Kerath had held onto the High Priesthood for so long by corrupt means. It's a nightmare!

But one that's easily fixed, Warin said. Where does the border between the two countries meet the sea?

Right there, as a matter of fact, Ker said, pointing to the river. We're currently in Kerath. The other bank is in Bish.

Your holy city has always been a seaport. Is there any necessity for that?

Not really, although it obviously needs to be on the sea.

What's the land like around here?

Let's take a look. Ker made a small motion with his hand, and the two of them began to float upwards until they were hovering at a height that afforded them a good view of the surrounding countryside.

What are we supposed to be looking at? Ker asked as Warin turned slowly, examining the land below her.

Whether this is a good spot to build a city. I can't see anything obvious that would prevent it. You should probably talk to Mother before you make a firm decision, though. She's the earth goddess, after all.

Just what are we talking about here, Warin?

Your new holy city, Ker. The one that's going to resolve all this infighting. What you do is take some land right here and found a new religious centre. That will stop the rivalry between the various contenders that you have now because there won't be anything to fight over any more. And this land is right on the border, so if you take an equal amount from both sides of the river, that'll solve the problem between the two nations. Make it an independent holy state, just the city and enough land to support it. Then there won't be any arguments about which country has jurisdiction, either.

That is absolutely brilliant, Warin, Ker said admiringly. I knew you were the right person to ask. He squinted at the ocean below. It wouldn't take much to create a decent anchorage there, you know, he said.

Warin could see his imagination begin to fire.

I might just have a word with Morv, Ker went on. And I could talk to Mother about that river. If it was a little deeper and wider, we could build docks there.

I'm sure Morv and Arnia will be happy to help, Warin said. And I'll write you a prophecy to lead your people to the place so there are no arguments about its legitimacy. But talk to Mother first, make sure that the land is stable and fertile enough to support a city.

Ker looked at her apprehensively. Your mother scares me, he admitted.

She won't bite, Ker.

Warin looked at him, sighed, and threw her hands in the air.

Come on, you big baby. I'll hold your hand.

It didn't take very long to ascertain that the site for Ker's new holy city was perfectly viable. Warin reiterated her promise to write him a prophecy to set the whole thing in motion, and the young god went happily off to consult with his mother and brother. Warin took advantage of that to get him to deliver Morv's new prophecy, leaving her free to visit with her mother for a while.

%%%%%

It was lunchtime. Princess Carlitha, sorceress, sister to the King of Nebreth, and wife of Boladan, Duke of Onnian, was feeling a bit lonely. Now that the recent trouble during which her sister’s ward, Baroness, now Countess Tassatina, had been accused of trying to kill the Queen had been resolved, Boladan had returned to his studies with a vengeance, determined to make as much use of the palace library as he could before they had to leave.

Not that the aforementioned trouble had held him back significantly, from what Carlitha had heard. Still, it must be as great a relief to Boladan as it was to the rest of them that that problem had now been resolved. He could probably concentrate better now.

Whatever the cause, what it all boiled down to was that Carlitha was lucky if she saw her husband at breakfast and dinner, and as for the time in between, well, that was why she was lunching in her sister Niari’s apartment yet again.

You’re late, Carlitha said as Tassi arrived panting on the threshold. And you’re even later, she said with mock severity, looking over Tassi’s shoulder where Adeena, her friend and maid, had just appeared. Where have you been all morning?

Visiting, Adeena said, not sounding the least contrite.

In the kitchens again?

I’ve brought dessert, Adeena said. And she placed a fruit pie, still warm from the oven, and a pitcher of cream on the table with a flourish.

You’re a lady’s maid, Carlitha said, trying hard not to smile. You have certain standards to keep up. I don’t think fraternising with the kitchen staff quite answers.

Don’t be such a snob, Carlitha, Adeena retorted. Besides, I don’t particularly enjoy talking to myself.

What are you blathering about?

All the other lady’s maids are the daughters of minor noblemen or prominent townsmen, Carlitha, sent here to complete their education with a taste of court life. They’re completely focused on securing their social futures by making as many high-level contacts as they can, and if possible snaring a highborn husband, in their time here. Country bumpkins don’t qualify. Especially country bumpkins who aren’t prepared to be impressed by their fathers’ money and status.

They don’t talk to you? Carlitha asked aghast. Why didn’t you say something? I could have helped.

How? Adeena asked, sitting down at the table and helping herself to food.

There was absolutely no formality between mistress and servant in the privacy of the apartments.

By intervening and making them think I can’t even stick up for myself?

Well…, Carlitha floundered. Surely there’s something I could do.

Don’t worry about it, Adeena said airily, waving her spoon. I’m not all that interested in sitting around the main hall pretending to embroider while discussing the rank, wealth and eligibility of the squires as they pass through, anyway. They’re a pretty boring lot of women, to be honest. All they seem to be able to talk about is clothes, money, and status. Not necessarily in that order. Oh, and gossip, of course, the more vicious the better.

She grinned slyly at her mistress.

Whereas in the kitchens not only do they welcome me, but you hear the most fascinating things. For instance, just this morning I was asked if it was true that you have a tail.

A what?

Of course, you don’t have one now, Adeena hastened to explain with every appearance of earnestness. It’s been surgically removed. But, this girl wanted to know if I’d ever seen the scar where it used to be.

Carlitha just stared.

It’s on account of you not being human, Adeena informed her cheerfully. Sorceresses, that is. You look just like us except for the tail, apparently. So, to pass as a human, you have to have it removed. That’s what happened to your legs, in case you were wondering.

My legs? Carlitha asked, sounding totally confused.

Adeena nodded. Your tail-removing operation went wrong. That’s why your legs don’t work properly.

I see, Carlitha said slowly. I take it this little flight of fancy means that the rumours about us haven’t died down yet?

I haven’t actually heard the one about you plotting to assassinate the King and seize the throne for a couple of days. This one seems to have taken its place. The idea seems to be that it just isn’t possible for human beings to have the kind of power you ladies have, therefore you can’t be human. Hence the tails.

But why would we need to go through what is apparently a risky and painful operation to remove our tails? Tassi asked. Why wouldn’t we just get rid of them by magic if we’re so powerful?

You expect logic? Adeena asked, turning to her with just the right touch of incredulity.

The group around the table dissolved in laughter.

I’ve been listening out for these rumours, Niari said. I thought I knew them all. But that’s a new one on me.

I wouldn’t take this as established fact, Adeena said, but I’m beginning to suspect that some at least of this stuff actually originates in the kitchens. That always seems to be where I hear them first. I rather think some of my new acquaintances might dabble in, shall we say, dubious religious teachings.

New Elithimites, Carlitha said.

Adeena nodded. Not necessarily committed members, you understand, just kind of around the fringes of the cult. Friends in it, perhaps. Just enough contact to pick up this sort of nonsense. And of course, having a giggle over the latest bit of gossip about the masters is an established form of entertainment among any group of servants, so it’s the most natural thing in the world for anyone hearing it to pass it on. In fact, you could count on it. It’d be a bit of a coup, you see, having the juiciest piece of gossip.

Interesting theory, Carlitha grunted. I might suggest it to Melavim or Tarras. I know they’re interested in where these things come from, and it’s just possible they could follow the trail back to the New Elithimites. I’d really like to see some of this stuff discredited. It can be dangerous, as Tassi and Rozvin found out on Market Day.

Tassi and Rozvin, a young soldier of their acquaintance, had been attacked by a mob near the market a few days before and may well have been killed or badly injured if help hadn’t arrived in time.

I’ve already got contacts in the kitchen, Adeena said eagerly. I could…

No.

But…

No.

But Carlitha, you haven’t even…

No! Absolutely and categorically not. It could be dangerous to meddle. You keep your nose out of it and leave it to the professionals. That is my last word on the matter.

Adeena would have argued some more, but she had learned long ago that it was all but impossible to talk Carlitha around once she’d dug her toes in. She knew that she was about a finger’s breadth away from being banned from the kitchens altogether. She subsided with the best grace she could muster.

Have you decided yet when you’re leaving for Falodirian? Carlitha asked Niari as the meal resumed. You can’t leave it too long if you’re going to get there before Tassi’s birthday.

I’m quite well aware of that, Carlitha.

What’s this? Adeena dared to ask, grateful for the change of subject.

Tassi’s a follower of Atrios, Niari explained. And every Atriosine girl is required to spend the night of her sixteenth birthday in the temple.

Why? Adeena asked.

Atrios is supposed to choose some to, ah, visit in his guise as god of love, Niari said, blushing a little.

I see, Adeena said, her eyebrows rising.

It’s a rite of passage, Carlitha said. The participants are girls when they enter the temple. When they emerge again the next morning, they’re women, with all the responsibilities and privileges of an adult.

And then we have a big party to celebrate, Tassi said, grinning with anticipation. It’s supposed to be your first meal as an adult, so really it should be at breakfast time, but most people prefer to wait until the evening and then have a real party.

And what happens to the boys? Adeena asked. I take it they don’t get visited by Atrios?

Their male relatives get together and take them to visit the Consecrated Women, Tassi said. The party the next day stays the same, though.

The who?

Holy prostitutes, Carlitha said. The Atriosines are a lot more liberal about these things than we are. The thing is that Tassi wants to go home to Atriosa and spend her Transition Night in the main temple there. That’s if she manages to get there on time, of course.

I think you’d better drag Boladan out of the library and make up some lost time, Niari said blandly. All those weeks you spent apart seem to have told on you. You’re as officious and meddlesome as a frustrated old maid lately.

CHAPTER TWO

Niari! Carlitha said, blushing to the roots of her hair. For a moment she just gaped, seemingly unable to get another word out.

Well, you ought to hear yourself.

I was only…

Yes, I know. But you don’t need to worry. It’s all in hand. Keladryn’s going home in a few days’ time, and he’s invited us to travel with him. It’ll be pleasanter and safer to travel in a group, and we’ll still get there in plenty of time. I’ve sent money to Madame Wennara. She’s going to organise Tassi’s party and we can get everything else organised before we go, so there’s really no need to get there too early.

Niari looked at Tassi and something seemed to pass between them. Tassi nodded and turned to Carlitha.

Actually, Carlitha, she said, I was just waiting until after lunch to ask you if you’d come with us. She looked down, suddenly looking very young. I’ve already written to Madame Wennara to ask her to be my sponsor, but I need two other women to be my chaperones. Niari will be one, and I’d like you to be the other. That’s if you want to, of course.

And just what does this entail? Carlitha asked.

It’s only ceremonial, really, Tassi said shyly. You’re supposed to chaperone me during the week before my birthday to be sure I do all the ritual preparations. And on the day, you escort me to the temple and hand me over to my sponsor, who introduces me at the temple door. Usually, my mother and aunt or older sister would hand me over to my grandmother. In Falodirian it’s considered an honour to be asked, she added diffidently.

Carlitha was suddenly so choked up she couldn’t answer. During Tassi’s recent troubles, there’d been some bad feeling between Carlitha and Tassi. Initially, Carlitha hadn’t been entirely convinced of Tassi’s innocence. She hadn’t said anything about her feelings, but Tassi had known how she felt. Ever since then, Carlitha had never been quite sure that Tassi forgave her, so this request meant more to her than she cared to admit.

Please, Carlitha, Tassi said, apparently misconstruing her silence. There isn’t really very much you have to do, and, of course, you’re invited to the party afterwards. And Boladan could come too, naturally.

Suddenly Carlitha wanted to hug this earnest child, but they were on opposite sides of the table, so she settled for taking Tassi’s hands in hers as she tried to speak around the lump in her throat.

I would be truly honoured to be your chaperone, Tassi, she managed. Thank you for asking me.

And suddenly the child was on her side of the table, on her knees with her arms thrown round Carlitha’s waist. Thank you, Carlitha. Thank you so much.

At last, Carlitha felt that her forgiveness was finally complete. She and Niari exchanged a slightly watery smile over the top of Tassi’s head.

Do you think I should invite the King and Queen? Tassi asked gravely as she resumed her seat. I know they probably won’t be able to come, but you’re supposed to invite all your friends and relatives, and it would feel rude not to invite them. She smiled. I don’t suppose it would matter to Aanek and Marriah, but Transition is one of the most important events in a person’s life. People in Falodirian can feel quite insulted if they’re not invited, even if you know they wouldn’t be able to come anyway.

In that case, I think the correct thing would be to invite them, Niari said. Then, it’s up to them whether they come or not.

Besides, Adeena said, it might not matter to the King, but I think the Queen would be hurt if you didn’t ask her.

Yes, you’re right, Tassi said, her face lightening with relief. Thanks. That’s been bothering me for days. I’ll write them a note as soon as lunch is over.

They finished lunch and Tassi went off to compose her invitation to the King and Queen. Adeena collected the dishes and said she would take them back to the kitchen. Carlitha rolled her eyes at that but told her she wouldn’t need her again until it was time to dress for dinner.

And don’t be late, please, she admonished her maid. It’s some ghastly affair for the new Dawpen ambassador, so I’ll need a bath first and then my hair done.

Right, Adeena nodded. Will you wear your red silk? That’s about all you’ve got for a really formal do.

There’s a mark on the front of that.

I know. Don’t worry. I’ll drop it off in the laundry on my way and bully the poor laundresses a bit. It’ll be ready for tonight. Just tell me next time before you need it.

Adeena disappeared out the door with her tray.

Wench, Carlitha said to her retreating back.

She organised her sticks and heaved herself to her feet.

I promised Aranan I’d go look at his new toy horse, she said. I guess I’d better get on with it if I have to be back in time to get ready for this dinner.

And I’ll go and see how Tassi’s getting on with her letter, Niari said. Maybe, when we deliver it, Aranan will show us his horse, too.

I’m sure it’ll be a real treat, Carlitha laughed.

Well, it will for him, Niari said. I hear he’s terribly proud of it. Where did he get it from?

I think Marriah said it was a gift from the new Dawpen ambassador, the same bloke that the party’s for tonight.

Ah, Niari said. Obviously, a dangerous man. He’s figured out the way to the royal favour already. Simply shower the crown prince with gifts.

Carlitha roared with laughter.

%%%%%

That evening, Niari and Tassi were just beginning their preparations for the new ambassador’s welcome dinner when there was a tap at the door and Boladan came in, looking harassed.

Have either of you seen Adeena? he asked. She hasn’t turned up to help Carlitha get ready.

The two women looked at each other and both shook their heads.

What am I going to do? Boladan moaned. I’ve helped Carlitha into the bath, and her dress and jewels are all laid out ready, but who’s going to help her with her hair and things?

Niari sent her own maid to the kitchens to see if Adeena was there, but the girl reported that she hadn’t been there since the early afternoon.

Well, I don’t know where else she could be, Niari said. Unless she’s gone shopping or to visit Rozvin or something, but we don’t have time to worry about that now. I’ll tell you what. I’ll get ready as quickly as I can and then I’ll send my maid to help Carlitha.

When Boladan had departed with effusive thanks and obvious relief, Niari and Tassi looked at each other.

Someone’s going to be in trouble in the morning, Niari nodded.

%%%%%

But, by the morning Adeena still hadn’t returned, and Carlitha’s anger was beginning to be tempered by concern. Images of accident or assault began to present themselves. However, a check with the City Guard revealed no knowledge of broken female bodies discovered overnight, and the Palace Guard was equally unhelpful.

You don’t think she could have defied you and gone off investigating the New Elithimites, do you? Niari asked at lunch.

She’d better not have, Carlitha said darkly.

When there was still no sign of Adeena by that evening, Carlitha came to a decision.

I’m going to see Melavim first thing in the morning, she announced. Adeena’s been missing for over a day. If she was all right, surely she would be back by now.

I think that’s very wise, my dear, Boladan said. Are you sure you shouldn’t do it right now? I happen to know that your brother’s still in his office. Or he was half an hour ago.

Good idea, Carlitha said. Ring for a servant, would you?

%%%%%

At about the time Boladan was ringing for a servant, Adeena was beginning to realise that she was in serious trouble. It had seemed innocent enough when her new friend had invited her home for the afternoon; innocent and a little exciting, especially when Sulla had mentioned that her cousin was a big admirer of the princesses and would want to know all about what it was like to live so closely with them.

It had made Adeena feel important. She’d been more hurt than she’d let on to Carlitha by the other maids’ rejection, and it had felt good to think there was someone out there who was interested in her and what she had to say. It had blinded her to the obvious, she realised that now.

She had already strongly suspected that Sulla had some connection to the New Elithimites, however tenuous. That was why she had cultivated her friendship, hoping to learn something about the sect. Therefore, the suggestion that one of Sulla’s associates wanted to know about the princesses should have rung all sorts of warning bells.

But, Adeena hadn’t heard them until she was already in the house and began to realise that the questions Sulla’s cousin was asking were a little too pointed, a little too specific. Once she understood that, she quickly realised a couple of other things. One was that the thrust of the questioning all had to do with the princesses’ habits and security arrangements, along with the extent of their power as sorceresses.

The second was that this man, whom she was beginning to seriously doubt was any relation to Sulla at all, regarded her with contempt. Though he hid it well, she’d become sensitised to that in the last weeks, and she picked up on it fairly quickly. Although the house that Sulla had brought her to was a farmhouse outside the north gate of the city, this person was treating her with exactly the sort of disdain that she’d encountered in the palace.

In fact, once her suspicions were aroused, she thought she could detect the occasional echo of a higher class accent beneath the rough country speech he affected. At first, her resentment flared, but she quickly decided that the man’s snobbery was her best weapon. If he thought she was a stupid country bumpkin, country bumpkin was what she would give him until it choked him.

Unfortunately, by then she’d already been blathering on for half an hour or so, and try as she might she couldn’t recall exactly what she’d said. She didn’t think she’d told him anything particularly crucial. Up until now, he seemed to have been softening her up, pretending to be an admirer of Niari and Carlitha, asking general questions to set her at her ease.

It was only in the last few minutes that she’d realised what was happening, when he’d begun to zero in on what he really wanted to know. Hoping he wouldn’t notice the change, Adeena began to play the ignorant yokel, misunderstanding, misinterpreting, and where she thought she could get away with it, downright misinforming.

At the same time, she also tried to cover what she was doing by appearing wide-eyed, ingenuous, and breathless with excitement and naïve self-importance. Being very careful not to overdo it she giggled, she simpered, she leant forward with an air of secretive collusion while she fed him a load of half-truths and downright rubbish.

Lest he wonder what someone as hopelessly limited as she was pretending to be was doing serving someone as important as Carlitha, she stressed how good she was at the simple tasks required of her, how difficult it was to find servants in the country, and even hinted, with silent apologies to Carlitha, that the princess definitely preferred her servants to be intellectually inferior to her.

In the end, her questioner made it fairly easy for her. For as he zeroed in on the information he wanted, his questions became more specific and incisive. It was, therefore, a relatively simple task to give the impression that, beyond a certain point, her poor limited intellect just couldn’t cope. She would then retreat into giggles or pretend to misunderstand and start chattering away about something completely different.

And then, of course, he had to bring her back to the point and take her over the ground again, trying to rephrase his questions in terms she could understand. It wasn’t long before his frustration began to show, and Adeena realised with a little surge of exaltation that her playacting was giving her an extra, unanticipated advantage.

It also, unfortunately, put her at a disadvantage. When her interrogator finally tired of trying to get something useful from her, her newfound ‘friends’ pointed out how late it was and how dangerous walking in the dark could be and urged her to stay the night. She refused, professing to be