The Princess, page 11
“Your Highness,” one of his guards said, the man stepping through the large drapery that separated the balcony from the interior meeting chamber, “Lieutenant Ulricus is requesting an audience. He says that the matter is urgent.”
“Send him in,” Fabian said with a wave of his hand.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Moments later, Ulricus was escorted out onto the balcony, the lieutenant dropping into a low bow when he reached Fabian.
“Your Highness,” Ulricus said, “we have captured what we believe is a scout for the raiders down at the docks.”
Fabian’s pulse quickened. No one in the entire empire had been able to capture a raider, scout or otherwise. The gods, it seemed, had shown him favor in Dives already.
“Pythius!” he shouted, his head guard rushing out onto the balcony seconds later. “I will be going down to the docks with Lieutenant Ulricus. It appears we have caught ourselves a raider.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Pythius replied.
Fabian strode off the balcony, Ulricus and Pythius falling in step behind him. They made their way through the garrison and when they reached the courtyard, Fabian was pleased that they only had to wait a few moments for horses to be brought out. Six of his personal guard had joined them, and after Fabian mounted his stallion, he brought the horse to the front of their column, just behind Pythius.
They urged their horses into a gallop, leaving the garrison behind. The city streets were crowded, forcing Pythius to shout as he pushed through the masses of people, horses, and carts. Fabian clenched his jaw as he fought to rein in his frustration. A captured raider had the potential to allow them to gain some advantage and an upper hand on their deadly enemy.
By the time they reached the docks, Fabian’s jaw was aching from clenching it so tightly. They pushed their horses onward, past the rows of tall masted ships and smaller boats before Fabian finally spied the familiar red and silver uniforms in front of a modest-sized merchant ship.
They brought their horses to a halt and Fabian frowned as he saw just what the sailors had detained. It was a woman. Fabian jerked his head back, blinking rapidly. What in all the seas was this trickery? The woman’s green eyes flashed with anger as the men holding her fought to keep her from pulling away from them. Her hands had been bound and she was gagged as well. There was an unusual quality to her gown, the color of which was a strange greenish blue that reminded him of the sea. Her braided dark hair was wet and she wore no shoes.
“What exactly do we have here?” Fabian asked as he swung from his stallion’s back, his brow furrowing.
The woman narrowed her eyes at Fabian as Ulricus came to stand beside him.
“We found this on her, Your Highness,” Ulricus said, passing Fabian a wrinkled piece of parchment.
Fabian took it and unfurled it. To his surprise, it was written in the common tongue, but a shiver passed down his spine as he realized it was a record of just how many ships and sailors he had in his fleet, as well as a record of the weak points in Dives’ large docks.
“Take her back to the garrison,” he said, crumpling the parchment in his hands. “Get her into a cell and I want her questioned before nightfall.”
Fabian prepared to remount his horse, taking the stallion’s reins in one hand and gripping the back of his saddle with the other, his thoughts racing. What piece of the puzzle the strange woman was, he wasn’t certain, but he could think of no good reason for her to be skulking around the docks to gather such information. They hadn’t seen any female fighters among the raiders, but it was also possible the woman had been bribed to do the raiders’ dirty work for them.
A sudden hissing noise broke Fabian’s focus and as he glanced over at the woman, his eyes widened. Steam had begun to rise from the part of the dock she and the sailors holding her stood on. She lifted her chin, holding his gaze as the wind picked up and the hissing noise grew louder. Ulricus shouted at the sailors to move away from the noise and the odd steam, but it was too late.
The section of the docks splintered and crumpled, causing the sailors and the woman to fall into the water. Fabian’s heart pounded as he stared at the strangely bubbling water, steam curling up off it into the air. Sea-foam rose to the surface, taking on a bizarre blue glow before the water suddenly calmed. Seconds later, the dead bodies of the sailors floated up to the surface, their bits of exposed skin covered in what looked like burns. The woman, however, was nowhere to be seen.
“What in the seas was that?” Ulricus said, his jaw dropping open.
Fabian’s heart thrummed in his ears, uneasiness settling over him and leaving his stomach hard. “I don’t know. Retrieve the bodies and have them brought back to the garrison. And I want extra men guarding the docks until further notice.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“We will return to the garrison,” Fabian said to Pythius before mounting his stallion.
Fabian and his guards turned their horses around, but as they did so, a flash of something glimmering below the surface of the water caught Fabian’s focus. He urged his stallion over to the edge of the docks, his stomach lurching when he caught a glimpse of a shimmer of scales and what looked like a tail before they disappeared.
Sirens. The sheer thought of the word struck dread into his very bones. They hadn’t been seen on Kelnore’s shores or in its seas for centuries. Some in the empire even believed them to be little more than myth, but Fabian knew Kelnore’s history. At one time, the sirens had ruled the seas and the shores. They were dangerous beings, possessing a dangerous magic that allowed them to control the water and the air, and in some stories, that also allowed them to ensnare men and lead them to their deaths. The gods help them if the raiders had somehow found sirens and bent the monstrous creatures to their will with their own deadly magic.
Chapter 17
The day that Rhiannon and Brynn arrived, Aurelia found herself unable to meet them in the throne room, as was expected of her. Instead, she was stuck in her bedchamber with a racing heart, mounting fatigue, and a splitting headache. She hadn’t even been able to eat breakfast. Cyrus had been sent up to examine her in the early hours of the morning, but all the head physician had done was proclaim her perfectly healthy and insisted that she was making her ailment up for attention.
A flare of anger coursed through her, leaving her clenching her bedsheets as her thoughts drifted back to Cyrus’ stinging words. As if anyone would want to be as unwell as she had been. Taking in a deep breath, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. If she could just make it out to the common room to greet Rhiannon and Brynn. But as her feet hit the floor, another round of palpations erupted in her chest and she gritted her teeth. Her gaze drifted to the collection of glass bottles and vials on her bedside table, the sight only making her frustration mount. She had tried every tonic and tincture that Cyrus and the rest of the royal physicians had concocted for her, but none of them had helped.
The click of the door opening caused her to start and she brought a hand to her chest, her heart fluttering again. She pulled her long braid over her shoulder and tried to sit up a bit straighter. Thank the gods that with a little bit of help from Claudia and Tullia, she had been able to get dressed in a day gown, and her handmaidens had helped her put her hair into a simple braid. Alekos was the first to enter the room, giving her a strained smile. In recent days, Aurelia had caught herself wondering if her father was growing ashamed of her, what with the snide remarks from the scribes growing with every fainting episode she had and the whispers being bandied about the palace about the health of her mind, but his presence soothed some of the deep ache inside of her. He was not so indifferent to her suffering, even if it was reflecting poorly on him and interfering with her marriage prospects.
Rhiannon walked in behind Alekos, along with another woman who Aurelia assumed to be Lady Brynn. Both Rhiannon and Brynn were dressed in gowns that were different in style and design than what was typically worn by Kelnorian noblewomen. Rhiannon’s dark green gown was embroidered with colorful feathers and Brynn’s deep blue one was embellished with fierce-looking wolves. Both women smiled kindly at Aurelia as they came to her bedside, Alekos trailing just behind them.
Alekos was finely dressed as always, his scarlet shirt and black pants both trimmed in silver thread, and the gold rings that covered his fingers glinted in the morning sunlight that streamed in through Aurelia’s bedroom windows. The years had aged him, especially with the more recent troubles of the plague and the raiders, but Aurelia could still see the resemblance between Alekos and Rhiannon with their dark hair and similar build. When Rhiannon reached Aurelia, she leaned down and hugged her, the show of affection leaving a slight sheen of moisture stinging Aurelia’s eyes.
“I am so relieved that you are still with us,” Rhiannon said as she eased back from Aurelia. “This is Conor’s sister. You might not remember her. You were very young the last time you saw her.”
“Vaguely,” Aurelia replied. She had been young, only seven, the last time she had traveled to the far northern province of Darnic with her parents and siblings to visit her aunt and uncle, along with their families, in the capital city of Vara. “Thank you for coming, Lady Brynn.”
“I am happy to help however I can, Your Highness,” Brynn replied with a bow. “And just Brynn is fine. I am afraid that we don’t use such titles in Pern Coen and I’m entirely unaccustomed to them.”
Alekos coughed hard into his hand, a frown marring his features. The lack of formality would be completely unacceptable, but he didn’t correct her. As always, exceptions were made for Rhiannon and her kin.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Brynn asked.
Aurelia bit her lower lip. “My heart has been beating very fast. It’s worse if I try to get up and walk. And I’ve had a painful headache. So much so that it’s left me with nausea to the point that I was unable to eat breakfast this morning.”
Aurelia half held her breath as she awaited Brynn’s response. She dreaded hearing the other woman say that she looked perfectly well, but Brynn simply gave a slow nod instead.
“Let’s have a look at you,” Brynn said, “and see if we can solve this mystery.”
“I’ll wait outside.” Alekos inclined his head to both Rhiannon and Brynn.
“I’ll come get you as soon as we’re done,” Rhiannon told him.
Aurelia caught Rhiannon taking Alekos’ hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, and his normally solemn expression softened before he took his leave. Rhiannon had always brought out a different side of Alekos, one that was a stark contrast to the stone-faced, imposing man that most of the empire saw.
“Can you tell me what bothers you the most?” Brynn asked as she and Rhiannon pulled chairs up beside Aurelia’s bed.
Aurelia shook her head. “I fear there are too many things to mention.”
“If you have to pick three of the symptoms that debilitate you the most, what would they be?”
“The fainting,” Aurelia answered. “And the headaches, as well as the dizziness.”
“How often do you faint?”
“Many times a day, most days. And there are many more times that I come perilously close to it.”
Brynn frowned and began her examination of Aurelia. As she worked, she asked Aurelia even more questions, from inquiring about how she felt after she ate to how well she slept. Aurelia wavered between hope that Brynn would know what was wrong and preparing herself for yet more disappointment. If Cyrus and the rest of the royal physicians had been unable to help, was there truly a chance that Brynn could somehow do what they could not? Once Brynn was done, she took a step back from the bed, the wrinkle in her brow deepening as she tapped her chin.
“Do you…” Aurelia cleared her throat. “Do you know what is wrong?”
“In a way, perhaps,” Brynn replied, resuming her seat beside Rhiannon. “I know a few healers on the mainland in Darnic, one of whom is a man by the name of Erik, and I have heard him speak of seeing a similar ailment before. It comes on after an illness, like the plague, though he does not know why. It is as if the body is not able to fully heal itself in the aftermath of such sickness.”
Aurelia swallowed hard. Brynn believed her, but the other woman’s words did not fill her with much hope.
“So,” Aurelia said, fidgeting with her thumbs, “there is no cure then?”
“I am afraid not.” Brynn’s tone was gentle as she covered Aurelia’s hands with her own. “But I know that Erik was able to help some of his patients lessen their symptoms. I have been in contact with him and he has shared with me what he has learned. If your father allows it, Rhiannon and I are prepared to stay here for a time to help you as much as we can.”
At least she believes you, Aurelia reminded herself, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. And it isn’t all just in your mind.
“You would be able to help me manage these symptoms?” she asked Brynn.
“I believe so,” Brynn answered. “I cannot offer a cure, but I believe I can offer you improvement.”
Improvement was something. And it might be enough to still make me a pleasing catch to a nobleman, she thought. A strange mixture of emotions swirled in her. An odd sort of grief at Brynn’s pronouncement that there was no way to rid herself fully of what plagued her, but also a relief as well. Brynn had believed her, which was more than Aurelia could say for any of the palace physicians.
“Are you ready for your father to come back in?” Rhiannon asked.
Aurelia nodded and Rhiannon got to her feet, walking over to the door that led out into the common room. As Aurelia watched her aunt go, she was struck by the depths of the other woman’s kindness. That Rhiannon would have even asked her permission for Alekos to return was nothing like what Aurelia was accustomed to. As much as she wished they were staying for a different reason, Aurelia wondered if she might greatly enjoy having Brynn and Rhiannon at the palace.
A few moments later, Rhiannon returned with Alekos. He came to the opposite side of Aurelia’s bed, looking over at Brynn. His hands were clasped behind his back, and the tightness in his jaw and shoulders betrayed his unease.
“You think you can help her?” he asked.
“I believe I can,” Brynn answered. “Though I warn you, Your Majesty, that there is no cure. But I believe there are ways to help Her Highness improve.”
“And what of your… magic?” Alekos made a frustrated motion with one hand. “There is nothing on your island that can fix this?”
Aurelia drew in a sharp breath. Magic was outlawed in Kelnore, with the strictest of punishments for those who were even suspected of practicing or possessing it. More than once, she had heard Alekos warn about the dangers of magic. It twisted a person, making them seek power above all else. She knew that there were those on Pern Coen who carried strange powers and abilities, but for Alekos to even have suggested such a thing… Aurelia wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t heard it herself.
“I am afraid not,” Brynn replied. “Though our Ri Briallen of Ceffyl has tried, even her powers of healing are no match for a condition such as this one.”
Alekos gave a stiff nod. “Whatever you need that I can provide, I will.” He paused, glancing over at Aurelia, his expression softening ever so slightly. “Aurelia is strong.”
A few moments later, Alekos, as well as Rhiannon and Brynn, took their leave. Alekos had court matters to attend to, while Brynn and Rhiannon needed to get settled in their chambers after their long journey. After the door closed behind them, Aurelia let out a long, low breath. She would glean as much as she could from Brynn during her time in Talekos. She would improve, and she would not let herself, her father, or the empire down.
Chapter 18
“What if… what if I can’t anymore?”
Aurelia stared hard at the waters of the Imperial pool, the sunlight drifting in from the glass windows in the ceiling causing the water to sparkle and gleam. At first, she had been excited about Brynn’s idea to try swimming again. She’d missed her trips down to the sea and the pool since she’d fallen ill, but as she stood at the top of the steps that led into the pool, clad in only her shift, fear and uncertainty snaked its way into her heart. Opes’ bones and Noctus’ teeth, she was barely able to walk around the palace without feeling faint. Surely swimming would only be even more strain on her body.
“We won’t know until you try,” Brynn said, placing a hand on Aurelia’s shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze. “Rhiannon and I will be right here with you, and Erik believes that the water helps his patients exercise with less symptoms. As if it has a healing effect on the body.”
Aurelia glanced over her shoulder at Rhiannon, her aunt giving her an encouraging smile that eased some of the tightness in her chest. You have to improve, she reminded herself. There was no hope for a marriage match if she continued to be sickly and weak. She took in a deep breath, holding onto Brynn’s arm to steady herself as the two of them slowly descended the steps into the pool. Thankfully, the palace pool was lightly heated to room temperature, so the water didn’t feel as shocking to her body as she’d feared. As Brynn guided her into the water, to Aurelia’s utter surprise and relief, she was less dizzy than she’d felt outside of the pool.
“How are you feeling?” Brynn asked.
“I feel… almost like myself,” Aurelia replied, blinking rapidly against the tears that stung her eyes, all the while unable to keep a smile off of her face.
Brynn smiled broadly in return. “Excellent. I don’t want to overtire your body by having you do too much, but let’s try a little more movement and see how you do.”
