The Royals

Chapter 23

Alvaria raised a finely-wrought silver knife and plunged it into Theron's heart. The elf jerked once and was still. Blood ran down the grooves carved into the altar and into the vessel in Notti's hands.

'Now you will see,' the elfwitch shouted at the hushed gathering. Now you will know!'

The One strode across to the captive Tabor. Notti's footsteps echoed hers. She began to chant.

He tried to follow her words. He found he barely had strength and concentration enough to remain stand ing.

At some point, she pried the bowl from between his fingers. Blood splashed in his face and on the face of the prone elf. Screams rang everywhere. He was surrounded by the agonized cries of legions of elves.

They are out there, he thought. Seven upon seven upon seven of them … and they are coming for me.

Notti wiped the burning blood from his eyes. On the altar lay what had once been Tabor, an elf not much older than he was himself - an elf, now hideously transformed into one of the largest trolls ever seen.

The goatboy gasped. He'd expected a human or a dwarf, or at worst a four-legged beast such as a lowly goat.

But a troll? A troll destined to fight and die for the elfwitch in a war it could no longer comprehend. Notti couldn't imagine a more abhorrent fate.

For one long moment, goatboy and troll stared into each other's anguished faces. Understanding dropped away from the troll and the eyes went dead. Yet the creature breathed. The monster lived.

A shriek tore itself from Goatboy's throat. He looked into the angry crowd, brandishing their torchlights, and he ran.

Ginni shook herself awake and stretched in the chair where she'd fallen asleep against her best efforts. Now she understood her mother's obsession with the arcane, for she had slipped into its passionate embrace as easily as a lover's nightwear.

Captivated by the lore Roslin had rarely explained, the young mage joyfully studied around the clock. She barely slept or ate or stirred from the chair behind the desk. To think that the Revered Sisters contrived this rigorous t*****e as punishment almost made her laugh aloud. She chose it for herself the moment she saw what they could teach.

Masha or Dita - she wasn't sure which stood over her. The Sister's raised arm slowly fell back to her side as if she fought moving water.

Ginni glanced at the Sister's face and dredged up shadow of her old demeanor. Morning, Ma… Dit a She tried to mumble a name. Her mouth was dry and fought the sound; her memory choked on extraneous details. Was it morning? It could just as well be night in this windowless room.

Her eyes fell to the scroll on the desk. To waste energy in recognizing individuals diverted her from her goal. The two mages merely drew the carriage by which she approached her magic. Ginni decided the niceties of a greeting weren't worth the effort. She concentrated on the strangely familiar symbols.

'You progress well, novice.'

Novice. As if she didn't have more talent lodged in one fiery finger than the Revered Sister had touched in her lifetime. Thank you,' she whispered, keeping her annoyance damped. It too could distract her from more significant tasks.

Revered Mother Caronn will be observing you today.'

Savage glee tainted the Sister's voice as if she thought the apprentice might not enjoy the examination as thor oughly as her tutors. Ginni ignored the woman's malice. Her words were what carried import.

She noted her place on the scroll and looked up at the Sister. "Oh?' she asked politely. 'Have I pleased Revered Mother?"

'That remains to be proven.' She spoke with more reserve now that she realized she commanded Ginni's full attention.

'But I'm sure you will,' put in the other mage from across the room.

'And so I shall,' Ginni said. She forced a genial smile. These two tried to yank her about by using their foolish parlor games of granting and withdrawing approval. Any child could see through the charade. 'How would you have me prepare for Revered Mother?" '

'Rest,' said the one she now remembered as Dita.

'Today you will eat, sleep, and relax.' She pushed aside the scroll and set down a tray.

The aroma of fresh-baked bread wafted up. Bacon surrounded perfectly shaped egg-yolks. Ginni's mouth watered. Her stomach grumbled. I guess I am a bi hungry.' Left hand still on the scroll, she took up the fork in her right. Maybe just a few bites.' Dita smiled and settled back in a chair to watch her.

The meal was as delicious as her first one here had been some days ago. Physical hunger overwhelmed her diligence and she let go of the scroll. Moments later when she thought to study it while she ate, it had been removed The mage shrugged. There would be other chances.

Ginni finished the food, sopping up the last of the egg with the bread. She stretched and yawned like a cat in the sun. 'My compliments to the chef.'

'We'll pass them along,' Masha said stiffly.

'Come, dear. Time to rest.' Dita came around the desk and took her by the elbow. 'I am rather tired.' She rose from the chair.'Your room is just next door.'

Panic gripped Ginni. She didn't want to be locked in again.

Her body didn't respond. It belonged to the Sisters.

They led her sluggish form into another bedchamber, identical to the previous one, and sat her on the bed. Dita gently pushed her shoulders until she lay on her back Masha removed her shoes and stowed them where Ginni couldn't see.

Dita tugged on the blanket and brought it up to her chin. 'Don't you worry. Revered Mother will be very glad indeed.' She patted her arm through the quilt. Rest now We'll return after you've had a nice nap.' The Revered Sisters left the room and closed the door behind them

'Nap,' Ginni repeated. She might just as easily be entering her death dream. At the least she'd ingested poisoned herbs cleverly disguised amidst a flavorful meal. At the worst, well, from toxic to deadly is only a matter of degree.