“Suppose the Treorai will be able to pass his highness the gateman this time?”
There was a deep annoyance in Práta’s voice and she seemed restless. Rianaire came from behind and placed a hand at Socair’s back.
“Is anything the matter?” Her eyes went to Nath for a quick moment but she said nothing about the young girl’s presence.
Socair turned and nodded her head toward the gate. “We had something of an unpleasant dealing with the guard when we arrived here previously.”
Rianaire knit her brow. “And you told him what you had come for?”
“I did. Showed my papers and proper markings and the like.”
Rianaire frowned and walked on toward the gate. Socair kept in step with her as Práta stayed behind with Nath to see to the bags. The bearded guard who had sent her away came out to meet them. He tried to hide his emotion behind formality, but the wideness of his eyes as he looked in slight disbelief from Socair to his Treorai betrayed the worry in his mind.
“Treorai, it is our grandest—”
“Shut that hole in your head. Was it you who sent this woman away from your gates?”
“I-I… yes, b-but at orders from the—”
“The Regent is in charge of the warming rocks under his arse and nothing more. If one of my Binse had come to these gates would you have turned them away?”
“No, no Treorai. I do not…”
“Then why have you sent away the Binse of another Treorai who proved herself to be who she said? What if the town had been raided and she were killed by some horsefolk? Would your Regent be the one to deal with it? Or would your head be on a pike next to his when the news reached me?”
The guard’s lip was quivering, he said nothing and his eyes struggled to find a thing to focus on. His mind seemed to insist he should look at her as she spoke, but some other part of it was terrified to do so.
“Understand me now, oaf. And tell all your oaflings so they understand it as well. Your Regent rules at my pleasure. And these walls are not his. They are mine.” Rianaire turned half to Socair, still looking at the guard captain. “I have a feeling about this man. Did he treat you with respect, at least?”
Socair looked at him and the captain stared back, his eyes pleading. “It nearly came to blows. ‘Fuck off,’ I believe were his words. More than once.”
A whimper came from the mouth of the man and Rianaire turned back to him. “Does she speak true?”
“Tre-Treorai, I…”
“Answer the question, guard.”
“Yes, Treorai.” His head sank and he tensed all over his body.
“Leave.”
He looked up. “Beg pardon, Tre—”
“Pardon my tits, oaf. Leave. Take your things and your family and leave the walls of this city and this province and go live elsewhere.”
He fell to his knees, face red and eyes welling with tears. “I cannot, Treorai. I cannot simply…”
“You endangered my guest. You treated a diplomat sent specifically for an audience with me as though she were below the common rabble. You, oaf, fail to understand who it is you serve and what your station is. Your Regent as well. He will likely join you if I do not enjoy his excuses. Perhaps he will order you to mistreat the desert elves as well.” She looked up, past the former captain to the gathered men staring. “I will speak twice. Whoever leads the guard now, remove the barricade that my carriages can enter the city.”
Rianaire turned and started back to the carriage. Socair lingered half a second looking at the man who was now all but laid in the dirt, jerking with sobs. She turned to follow the Treorai, not wanting to see what stares awaited her. No doubt she would receive blame for the guard captain’s situation. It was harsh, very much so, but there was a military nature to Rianaire’s decision and Socair could not ignore it. The books, she thought, certainly did not capture the woman.
Socair stopped next to her own carriage as they passed. “Rianaire, I would ride to my lodging to… to better clean myself.”
Rianaire chuckled at the words. “Yes, that is not a terrible idea. I regrettably have some sudden business with the Regent so it’s just as well. I will send Inney to fetch you for dinner, if it sounds agreeable.”
“It does.” Socair gave a small bow. “I thank you for your concern over my treatment.”
“Nonsense.” Rianaire motioned dismissively. “Your honor is mine when you are in my home. Then, until dinner.” She turned and went to her carriage.
Socair did the same, finding Práta inside. Nath moved to Socair’s side as soon as she took a seat.
“It seems there was a commotion.” Práta looked at Socair, more curious than concerned.
“To say the least. A man was exiled.”
“Exiled?” The words sort of sputtered out of Práta in disbelief.
“The guard captain who turned us away.”
“That is a bit much, is it not? He followed his orders. She is too impulsive.”
Socair thought on it a minute. She did not feel the same, though certainly she felt for the man. “Should a soldier not think for himself?” The carriage started moving. They rolled slowly past the troubled stares of the guardsmen who had cleared away the barricade. “If they are ordered to strike down unarmed people, should they? Even if the nobles are truly in the wrong? My father, staunch as he was, taught me better when I was a child. The excuses of orders and duty give the callow a justification to step across lines of decency.”
“And this man did that?”
“It is not my place to say. Though how many did he send away? For how long? How many were found by satyr in the woods
