The Royals

Chapter 50

'Always.' Notti showed no signs of doubt.

'Good, very good.' Jedrek brought his hands together once in a loud resounding clap. 'Let's try something difficult. "Lift your right leg with the knee high. Hold it here. Good. No, leave your eyes open. Fine. Once more. Who are the three Great Sisters?'

'Barik, Ezrek, and Nadik, Notti said, as easily as before. And their four lesser Sisters?'

This, too, he answered quickly. "Alpia, Dunavia, Linia,

and Zephria.'

And what do the lesser Sisters govern?'

'Earth, water, fire, and air.' His thigh-muscle was beginning to wear out. 'But do they govern them?' Jedrek asked.

Notti's leg slipped lower and lower until the toe tapped the floor. Embarrassed at his failure, he instantly lifted it high again. "G-govern, s-sire? Well...'

A difficult question, perhaps. Think of this. Do any of the Sisters govern?' Here again the boy was puzzled. He chewed his lip

and tried to think of what to say.

'Do they guide?' 'Yes, absolutely.'

'There is your answer. You may put your leg down.' Elder Jedrek circled him, letting his voice rise and fall as he spoke. The exercises were a balm to Notti's soul, easing the pain of his worry over so many things he had done for Alvaria. His mother came and went several times, but he was too absorbed to note more than that.

When the drilling was through, Notti rested contentedly in the warmest corner of Jedrek's workroom, studying the fresh herb leaves the Elder had set out. One by one the boy marked the shape and color in their present form. He picked up each from its place on the drying-rack and sniffed its scent. Primarily they smelled of dirt and growing things, yet they did differ. The first was bitter; the second sweet; the third seemed to have no aroma at all, but rather absorbed those around it. A man suddenly stormed into the room without asking

permission and Notti looked up at the commotion. The elf standing before Jedrek was big. Though he clearly owed allegiance to the Elder, his air of command filled the room.

"My lord,' he began then stopped when his eyes Notti's. 'My apologies. I interrupted.' 'Not necessary, Paly,' Jedrek said. Please continue.'

met

The man took a last glance at the boy then squarely faced the Elder. The three have escaped, vanished from their cell despite all precautions. I don't know how it could have happened. They were guarded day and night despite how few we are. I... I have failed you.' The

man's words wound down and his energy with them. The Elder let out a sigh. It was fated to happen. Alvaria had to call back her own. Else they would be useless to her. How did you discover them missing?'

'We checked at the change of shift and all was as it

should be, but when my man entered to bring them their

next meal, the tent was empty."

Jedrek nodded. 'At least your guards will be allowed

some sleep.' 'But my lord, shouldn't we send out a search party?' 'And put more lives at the mercy of Alvaria? I think

not.'

'Better we had put them to death when we discovered their treachery." Paly clapped a hand across his mouth. 'I beg your pardon. I had no right.'

The Elder waved away the transgression. You only speak to me what others mutter behind my back. I understand the impulse, have considered it many times in fact. But I will not sink to Alvaria's form of leading through terror.' 'What would you have me do?' His voice was subdued

now, bowing to his leader's will.

Do? As I said, let your men get some sleep.'

The man nodded. Anything else?" he asked. He seemed to need some task to begin to make amends for his failure.

There is one thing."

'Yes?'

Do not let anyone into the tent where they were held until I examine it. We may yet be able to learn

something."

'As you wish.' He turned to go.

'And Paly?' The man snapped back to attention. 'Sir.'

You did well. I had hoped the three might be per suaded otherwise, but their betrayal was fated from the moment twenty years ago when she planted them in our midst.'

The guard's eyes grew wide, but he offered only a crisp 'sir' and left the room. Notti returned to his herbs, but had lost all ability to

concentrate. 'Well, Notti, what do you think?"

He was almost afraid to voice his thought aloud, but Elder Jedrek's eyes were on him. 'I th-think, I th-think it is not h-happens-stance that their d-departure comes s-so s-soon after m-my arr-rival.'

The Elder gave him a wry smile. 'Indeed. I wish I disagreed.'

Wanton Tom spat out the leaf the harlot had stuck in his mouth when he'd tried to kiss her. 'That's disgustin'. What're you tryin' to do, choke me to death?'

She waved the leaf at him. 'What are you trying to do, Uncle? Seduce me?' Wanton Tom was as tired as a soldier on forced-march.

After his time among the hags, he'd never be able to look at a barmaid the same way again and that made him mad. Something about this one seemed familiar. Great, he thought, they're coming back for seconds. He let his eyelids fall closed, and rolled away from the approaching female. 'I'm not your uncle.'

Wanton Tom,' the girl whispered fiercely, "Tom!

Get up!' 'That's a cruel trick, soundin' like Ginni,' he growled. 'Go 'way. I'm all spent.' 'No, you're not. Come on, Father.' The woman shook

his shoulder. 'I already told you. I'm not your fat-'He twisted back to face her and cautiously opened both eyes. There stood Ginni before him as clear-eyed as he'd ever seen her. Tom sat up in bed, fully awake now. He wanted to believe it was truly her, but how could he trust anyone here - most of all his daughter? 'How do I know this isn't a trick?'

Ginni's face went blank and mysteriously transformed into that of an innocent child's. 'I found something today, you might find of interest, Wanton Tom sir.' She opened her hand and a tiny flame sprouted from inside her palm. Next to it was the undamaged leaf he'd spat out.

'Did that piece of greenery bring me to my senses?' 'Partly,' she answered, in the voice of an adolescent boy. The rest will take a while to tell and we're in a hurry just now.'

It was Ginni all right, using one of the many guises she'd devised to greet him secretly when they were on the road. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a loud kiss on the cheek. 'Glad to have Let's go!' you back.

'Shh! You'll bring down half the tower.'

'Right, sorry.' He threw back the covers with unre

strained delight and headed past her for the door. 'Time

to hit the snowy trail.'

'Uncle, aren't you forgetting something?" Again Ginni used his old nickname, yet she sounded strangely subdued. Tom's heart sank. Half expecting her

to be holding a knife at his back, the mercenary turned around with painstaking care. His daughter held his pants high enough to block her sight of him in his long underwear.

Yeah, well, thanks.' He snatched them from her outstretched hand, unsure which of them was the more embarrassed. In his hurry to get them on, his foot snagged in the folds. He lost his balance, but Ginni caught him before he fell to the floor.

'Thanks, Gin, but why the face? You've seen me in my drawers before.'

'Not in a long time, Uncle. You've gotten-' 'What? Old!' He angrily yanked up his pants and

fastened them at the waist. 'No, not old. Thin.' Her voice was full of remorse and her eyes filled with tears. 'I'm sorry, Uncle. I didn't... I couldn't...'

He cupped her chin in his hand. 'I know you didn't and you couldn't. There's nothing to be done about it now.' He gave her his best boisterous smile. 'Don't you worry. My beer-gut'll be back as soon as we get to a civilized tavern.'

'Your boots, Uncle?'

'Boots, right.' He was so glad to see her and so anxious to be finally leaving that he wasn't thinking clearly. 'Boots. I always put them next to my pants." He searched the small room. 'Okay. Not by the chair. Not under the bed. Not in the corner.'

Ginni closed the bottom bureau drawer and straight

ened up. 'No luck here.' 'Do you s'pose they took my boots?"

She bit her lip. "Could be.' 'We'll have to shove off without 'em then.' 'But you'll get frostbite."

'Prob'ly.' Tom looked down at his stockinged feet and wiggled his toes. He liked those ugly buggers. 'Been nice knowin' you fellas."

Ginni glanced down, then back up again. She nodded. 'Okay.'

"Okay.' He rested his hand on the catch. 'Ready?' 'Uncle, I have never been so ready in my life.'

That was his Ginni, all right. No one else could be as pleased as he was to escape this place. He opened the door slowly, stepped out of the room, and nearly tripped

over the body slumped against the wall.

He didn't honestly care if the Severe Sister breathed or not, but an exhalation of breath confirmed his suspicion that she did. As always, they would not kill unless they must-partly because it felt right, but in this case common sense told them not to anger the witches any more than they must. "Nice job,' he signalled, and she acknowledged with another brief tip of her head.

The hallway was dark but for a sputtering torch at the bend some ways down. Still deepnight then. He suddenly realized how disoriented he'd become. No time for that now. He shrugged it off and waved Ginni forward. 'Which way?' he whispered.