As I slipped into a pleasantly contented sleep that night… I casually wondered who else in my House might eventually join my little — but ever-growing — harem?
Chapter 6
Ahmaia agreed to help us.With her came Elvi, a tiny Fey woman who could work with stone, and Eorthan, a stocky Fey man who controlled metal. Eorthan was the one who’d made my special armor, and I took a moment to thank him profusely for his amazing work. As for Elvi, it was thought that since the streets of the capital were made of stone she might be able to literally stop people in their tracks if needed.
Ahmaia insisted that Alvere not come. He was upset, but conceded to her argument that he was too significant to risk on a mission. As the king of Vauphan, fighting for his own country was one thing, but this was another. There was a vehemence and sternness in Ahmaia’s insistence, and before we left, I took her aside for a quick chat.
“You’re his mother, aren’t you? Or a relative?” I asked, straight to the point. She didn’t look old enough to be his mother, but I’d learned that Fey aged differently than humans.
She looked at me with those rose-gold eyes for a long moment. “Yes,” she said simply. “And you are very astute.”
“He doesn’t know, does he?” From how he talked about his Fey parentage I’d gotten the feeling he’d never met his real mother.
“No.” Her gaze never wavered when she asked, “Will you tell him?”
I smiled slightly. “That is not my place.” Though I was curious. “Why… haven’t you?”
I saw the slight twitch of her blue-pale skin at her jaw. I’d hit a nerve. “It will not help him. He had his parents. They raised him, I did not. He is a king and the Uniter. He will bring Fey back to the world. I… would only hinder him.”
“I don’t think that would be the case,” I said. “I think having a parent, even one he’s never known until now could only help him. But that is your choice to make. I will say nothing.”
She nodded stiffly. “Thank you.” She seemed about to leave but hesitated and said, “Our sages have seen things about you too.” She smiled. “I cannot tell you what. For that might influence your decisions. But… I know from what I have witnessed that you love my son. Thank you for that,” she said softly. “Take care of him.”
“I will,” I said, curious as The Deepest Pits what those sages had seen. First the mistweaver had seen things about me and now this. What was a girl to think? I could get a complex, thinking I was someone important. Luckily, I knew better. Important or not, I was me, and I always would be. I’d do what I always did, and if that fulfilled someone’s prophesy, good for them.
I met up with Fin, Midnight, and the Fey. We were all dressed as commoners, in concealing apparel which wouldn’t seem out of place. Fin transported us to Ana’s farm. Ana, being Maverick’s sister had to be told what had happened to her brother. Midnight offered, but I knew I had to do it.
When I did, Ana’s features hardened, taking the news stoically.
“I always knew his life would be dangerous, or at least more dangerous than mine. I’m… glad he passed fighting for what was right, for his country… even if it was against his country.” She shed a few tears and embraced me while I felt awful. I hadn’t told her Maverick had died helping me, nor the gory specifics of his death, but both of those things still haunted me.
We walked from there into the city, taking a room in a rundown tavern in the slums on the other side of the river. The Festival began tomorrow, and we’d be in place when it happened.
Midnight scouted during the night, and we were all up before dawn to claim our spot, a flat roof on a tall building next to the square where the queen would give her speech. The building was not the best vantage point for anyone who wanted to watch the speech itself as it was behind the stage which had been erected for that purpose. We’d only see the back of the queen. But then… we weren’t there for the speech. The building did have a good view of all of the exits the queen might take from that stage, assuming she left off the back and wanted to remain out of sight as she returned to her House. As the morning wore on, it even became clear exactly which route she’d take. We were in luck. We watched guards clear people out of the alley right next to the building we’d claimed. We’d have a perfect view of the queen — and whoever was with her — as they left. The guards stationed men along the alley and at both ends, so no one would use the road.
Our first problem came when three guards climbed up to our rooftop and found us. Luckily, they didn’t know who we were, just thought we were peasants there to claim our spot early.
“This roof is off limits, find somewhere else to view the queen’s speech,” the one guard growled. We could take these three easily, the trouble was… if we did, someone might notice that they’d gone missing.
Fin stepped forward and spoke in a voice I’d never heard from him before, a full-on, back-woods peasant accent. “Sorry, mas’ers,” he said holding up his hands. “We’s jus’ trying to get a peep at the queen. We don’t think no’un woul’ want dis place. We won’t be no bother. If’n you’re gonna watch the queen from up here, we coul’ jus’ watch with you. We woul’n’t be no bother. And you’d be here to keep an eye on us.”
The guard blinked, and I could see him trying to parse Fin’s words. “Sorry lad, but no one can be up here. Now if you hurry, perhaps you can find some other rooftop. Just, go on now.”
That hadn’t worked.
For a moment I considered trying to subdue the guards and take their clothes. That way anyone down below would only see guards, but… I was the only one whomightpossibly fit into one of their uniforms. Fin was too big and the others were all too small.
We all stood there, awkwardly — guards and us both — for a long moment. MyHerogift rose within me. It wanted to fight, to remove these impediments to my plan. But I resisted that pull.
Any thoughts?I asked Auwei.I’m desperate.
Just one, but I’m not sure if you’ll like it.
I’m all ears. Anything goes.
It’ll be easier for me to show you.
Do it!
