The Shadow's heir

with me, Sacred One. Am I mistaken?”

“Not if you are Master Zel.”

“I am,” said the man, eyes flicking briefly toward Laela.

“Let her speak with you, then,” Oeka said, bored, and settled down to groom.

Laela took her cue. “Master Zel, is it? I’m Lady Laela.”

Zel inclined his head toward her. “I am honoured to meet you, Lady Laela,” he said, in polished Cymrian. “How can I serve you?”

“I’m looking for someone,” said Laela. “A slave called Inva. She was my attendant before Telise.”

“I know that name,” said Zel. “And I offer you my greatest apology and shame that I sent her to you. I hope that Telise is a better attendant for you.”

Laela hadn’t missed Telise’s anxious looks toward her. “She’s doin’ a great job,” she said kindly. “But I wanted to know where Inva’s gone.”

“She has been sent away,” Zel said at once.

“I know,” said Laela. “But to where?”

“To the slave market, to be sold to a new master. She will not be allowed to serve nobles again.”

Laela groaned inwardly. “Look-Zel-that ai-isn’t right. She shouldn’t have been sent away.”

“Why not?” Zel looked very politely disapproving. “She allowed her master to be placed in danger and was punished for her negligence.”

“It wasn’t her fault,” said Laela. “She only did what I told her.”

“That does not matter,” said Zel. “She did not obey the command given to her to keep you from danger at all costs, and this lapse is punishable.”

The sheer injustice of it infuriated Laela. She opened her mouth to retort but quickly shut it again as common sense caught up with her. She wasn’t going to get anywhere arguing with this man, and besides, there was no reason why she should be arguing with him at all. He was her inferior, and she had learned that you didn’t argue with inferiors. Instead, you just ordered them to agree with you.

“Bring her back,” she said.

“I cannot do that,” said Zel, but cautiously.

“Bring her back,” Laela repeated.

“She cannot be brought back.”

“All right, then,” said Laela, changing tack. “How about I tell the Emperor that you ain’t doin’ your job? I’m his guest, an’ it’s your job t’keep me happy. If I say bringin’ Inva back would make me happy, then you have t’do it. Otherwise, I’ll be unhappy. An’ when I get unhappy, I get nasty. An’ when I get nasty, I make people’s lives hard. Are yeh startin’ to get what I mean, Zel?”

If the head slave was affronted by this not-so-subtle threat-the kind of threat Laela was best at-he didn’t show it. “Very well then,” he said in flat tones. “I will send out for her to be brought back at once. Shall I have her brought to you once she has returned?”

“Yes,” said Laela. “An’ make it fast,” she added nastily. “I want her back by tonight.”

“It shall be done,” said Zel, and there was something about him and the way he said it that made Laela completely confident that he would and could do just that.

“I must be the worst guest this palace has ever had.” She smirked to herself as she left. But there was real satisfaction mixed in with her smugness. She only hoped her next meeting with the Emperor would go as well.

While she waited for the afternoon to arrive, she made several other visits. First she checked in with the other Northern griffiners, making sure they were all well and assuring them that she had placated the Emperor and was due to see him again soon.

She also visited the docks where the Seabreath was still moored, to see how Arenadd was doing. She found him unchanged, still comatose, but breathing steadily. Skandar was with him, patiently guarding his human. Evidently, he had finished enjoying Amoran’s various pleasures. His partner was more important.

“Don’t worry,” Laela told him. “We’re goin’ home soon, an’ he’ll get well. Just look after him. I never saw a griffin who took better care of his human.” She didn’t say that last part just to flatter him, and he seemed pleased even if he didn’t say anything.

“When are we going home?” asked Penllyn.

“Soon,” said Laela. “I’m just about done talkin’ to the Emperor. We’ll be leavin’ in a matter of days.”

“We’d better,” Duach muttered.

Laela took one last look at Arenadd’s deathly pale face. “We will.”

The meeting with the Emperor finally arrived. This time he received Laela in an elegant room that must have been his official audience chamber. Vander was there, with Ymazu, and Zaehri, the griffins sitting on velvet floor- pads obviously made just for them.

Once the formalities were over, Laela sat on a couch opposite the Emperor while Oeka chose a pad of her own and lay on it, with her front paws outstretched.

“Lady Laela,” the Emperor began. “May I ask how your King is faring?” Off to the side and behind his ruler, Vander listened closely.

“Unchanged, Sacred Ruler,” said Laela.

The Emperor looked a little sad. “That is not good. Have you made a decision yet, Lady Laela?”

“I’m in the process,” said Laela. “But I wanted t’ask a question, if yeh don’t mind, Sacred Ruler.”

He smiled. “Ask.”

Laela took a deep breath, and leaned forward. “This marriage that we need has t’be between a Taranisaii an’ one of yer own family, yes?”

“Yes,” the Emperor said firmly.

“Then I wanted t’ask,” said Laela, choosing her words carefully, “can the Taranisaii be any Taranisaii?”

“As long as he or she is one of the King’s family,” said the Emperor.

Sheer nervousness made Laela dizzy. “Is. . does. . does the person have t’be. . er. . legitimate?”

The Emperor frowned. “I do not know that word, my Lady.”

Laela hesitated, gave up, and plunged ahead. It was now or never. “Can the Taranisaii be a bastard?”

There was a pause.

Then the Emperor smiled, a big, white-toothed smile. “Ah. You wonder if you, beautiful lady, can take your father’s place and marry one of my family.”

Laela gaped. “Er-”

“Your loyalty to your father is impressive,” the Emperor went on. “But it is not so surprising. He has been very kind, and taken good care of you. I suppose it is only natural if he has no legitimate children to call his own.”

“Er, thanks,” said Laela. This was just about the last thing she had expected.

“The King often spoke of you,” said the Emperor, still smiling. “I could see how much pride he takes in you. And how much he loves you. It did my heart good.”

Laela couldn’t believe this. The Emperor was actually spinning her lie for her, deceiving himself without any help at all. She couldn’t think of anything to say.

“But I must answer your question,” said the Emperor, interrupting her thoughts. “The answer is yes. If no other Taranisaii is available, you will be suitable despite being born outside of marriage. We are lucky as well-my youngest son is here in Instabahn, and he is very obedient to his father. He will be glad to do his duty to his country.”

“That’s. . good.” Laela swallowed. “If. . er. . if I married him, would-would I have to stay here?”

“No, no,” said the Emperor. “The marriage would be purely ceremonial. Symbolic only. You will not have to live together unless you choose to.”

“Oh.” At that, Laela relaxed completely.

“In fact, it is better if you live in your own countries,” the Emperor remarked. “That way you will link our two great nations, as two ends of a chain hold a ship to a shore.” He gave her an intelligent, bright-eyed look. “This arrangement is satisfactory to me. Does it satisfy you as well, Lady Laela Taranisaii?”