“He is a noble man, my lady,” Vander said softly. “I have always thought so. I do not like to see him suffer this way.”
Laela shook her head. “There’s nothin’ for it,” she said. “We’ve got t’take him home. Now.”
“The King is in a very serious condition, my Lady,” said Vander. “It would do him no good to move him now.”
But Laela knew in her heart that she was right. “We’re takin’ him home,” she said. “If he stays here, he’ll never get better. In Malvern, he’ll heal.”
“I agree,” said Duach. “This journey was a mistake.”
“But the slaves,” said Penllyn. “And the Emperor. The negotiations aren’t finished yet.”
“Leave that t’me,” said Laela. She saw the doubtful looks she was getting and drew herself up with all the pride a griffiner should have. “I am the Master of Wisdom. My word is final. Now, go. I have t’see the King, an’ I’ll do that alone.”
That said, Laela turned her back on them all and strode into the room where Arenadd lay.
There wasn’t much she could do there. Her friend lay on a stone slab, with a sheet covering his lower half. He was as pale as a corpse, and his scars looked red and raw. In the middle of his chest the old wound left by Erian’s sword had indeed re-opened. It had been heavily bandaged, but Laela could see a thick line of blood soaking through them, following the length of the cut.
Arenadd was unconscious, breathing slowly. His face was lined with pain.
Laela touched his forehead and stiffened when she realised that his hair, once pure black, was now shot through with grey.
When she saw that, she knew her decision had been the right one.
“I’m sorry, Arenadd,” she whispered. “We’ve done everythin’ we could. Now it’s time t’go home. The North’ll miss those slaves, but it’ll miss you worse.”
Laela hurried out of the room and found the Northerners and Vander waiting, along with Oeka. They all looked at her expectantly.
“How is he, my lady?” Vander inquired.
“Comatose,” said Laela. “Again. But this time he ain’t gettin’ up anytime soon.” She thought quickly and pointed at Duach. “Right, here’s what yer gonna do. We’re takin’ him outta here an’ back onto the ship, an’ I’m gonna need someone t’keep watch over him. Skandar’s gotta be there, too-make sure he’s somewhere Skandar can get to him, ’cause I reckon that’ll help.”
Duach nodded very readily. “At once.”
“Good,” said Laela. “Once he’s on board, keep him out of the sun. Keep him cold-cold as yeh can. Use water, fan him-whatever yeh can think of. The heat’s makin’ it worse. An’. .”
“Yes, milady?” said Duach, now very attentive.
“Pray,” said Laela.
The Northerners there who knew her looked a little surprised. “Of course, milady,” Duach said politely.
“Do it,” Laela growled. “Trust me, if there’s anything up there at all, it’s watchin’ over him. You’re gonna make sure she doesn’t get distracted.”
“I will.” Duach glanced at his fellows. “Penllyn, ye can come with me.”
“Right.” Penllyn nodded.
“As for the rest of yeh,” Laela continued, “yer stayin’ here.”
“What do
“Same as what yeh were doin’ before,” said Laela. “Be guests.
“Or else what?” one Northerner said in a sulky undertone.
Laela leaned in threateningly. “
“We’ll do as ye command, milady,” Duach said, covering the moment. “In the meantime, what will ye be doing?”
“Finishing what we started,” said Laela. “Vander?”
The diplomat straightened up. “Yes?”
“I gotta go talk to the Em-” Laela broke off, remembering herself. “I mean, I need t’go talk to the Emperor. Once I’ve been back t’my room an’ cleaned myself up. Could yeh let him know what’s happened an’ say I need to talk to him?”
Vander smiled to himself. “Of course.”
“Right.” Laela waved at the Northerners, unceremoniously shooing them away. “Get to it, you lot. I got work t’do.”
She walked off without waiting for a reply. For an instant, she thought she didn’t know the way, but then she saw Oeka strutting ahead-silently showing her where to go. Laela fell in beside her and let her partner lead the way out of the hospital and through the palace, where she entered her guest room very gladly.
As always, a collared figure was waiting for her with infinite patience.
Laela couldn’t help but smile. “Inva. By gods, I’m glad t’see. .” She trailed off. The shaved head had confused her for a moment, but now she saw that this was not Inva but some other female slave.
The newcomer bowed low. “Inva is not here any more. I am here to serve my lady now, and must be a better attendant. The gracious Emperor apologises for my predecessor.”
Laela gaped, and then shook herself. “What happened to Inva?”
The new slave stared politely at the floor. “Your previous attendant has been punished and will not be here to cause you trouble again, my lady.”
“Punished?” Laela exclaimed. “For what?”
“My predecessor allowed you to be harmed, my lady,” said the slave, still avoiding her eye. “This is punishable. She has been sent away and will not be allowed to serve fine nobles such as yourself again.”
“I-” Laela stopped abruptly, and gave in. There was no point in yelling at this poor woman, who was only doing as she’d been told-just as Inva had. This wasn’t the time or place to go on about it. Besides, there was work to do. “Right, then,” she resumed as smoothly as she could. “What’s your name? I’m Lady Laela.”
“I am called Telise, my lady.”
“Nice to meet yeh, Telise,” said Laela. “Now then, if yeh don’t mind, I’ve got a meetin’ with the Emperor, an’ I need some cleanin’ up.”
“At once, my lady.”
Laela’s mouth felt hideously dry from so much talking. Her headache had been growing steadily worse ever since she’d woken up as well, so now she submitted very gratefully to a cool bath with soothing oils, and the gentle attentions of Telise, who was at least as well trained as Inva had been.
Oeka stayed close by and groomed herself with the help of her own personal slave, who had apparently been allowed to stay. “You have done well,” she said.
Laela, half-asleep in the cool water, didn’t look up. “Can’t go home till we’ve sorted this out. Gotta do my job.”
“Your job was to advise the King,” said Oeka.
“Still is. But he told me I’m his second-in-command here, an’ that means I gotta take charge now. So that’s what I’m doin’. Simple. Besides, I ain’t leavin’ Inva an’ all her friends behind.”
“I am sure they will be grateful,” said Oeka through a yawn.
Laela mumbled something and dozed briefly while Telise massaged her head-which did a wonderful job of making the headache go away.
She woke up reluctantly and got out of the bath to accept yet another new outfit. Despite having spent so much time unconscious, she was dying for some more sleep, but she settled for a long drink of water and some exotic fruit while she waited for the Emperor to send for her.
It took longer than she had expected, and she nearly fell asleep again on her couch, but she came back to her senses when Telise answered the door, and then turned to say, “The Emperor sends for you and your sacred partner, my lady.”
Laela stood up automatically and walked out, with Oeka padding along beside her.
