* * *
Stevane
* * *
As we walk down the hall of cells, snatches of imagery and wispy voices dart through my head. They're visions. I try to keep walking and hold onto the violin, pretending there's nothing happening. In better circumstances, I could block the visions or hold them off, but right now there's precious little energy available to me to block with.
* * *
Elam shudders for a moment, the power in the wards of his cell making his whole body shake. He's remarkably thinner than he was last time I saw him (was it only three years ago?) but he certainly hasn't lost his imperious glare. There's someone standing over him - Edward. Uncle Edward is looming over the King's son with eyes narrowed in hate.
"Not his special boy anymore, are you?" And with that, he jams the thing he's holding into Elam's hands. Elam screams, but he can't make his hands drop it.
It's a harp, one of the infernal instruments I saw on the shelf. It's constructed from pieces of a ribcage and some grisly-looking strings that are someone dried-out guts. As Elam stares at it with wide eyes, the strings pluck of their own accord - the music as rotten and moldy as the flesh that's still crusted up in the creases of bone.
* * *
Elric slumps to the floor, the violin still in his hands. It's a good violin, a well-crafted one. Jhe h'Lete gave it to him as a gift before his journey, and likely the Poet king made it himself. The bow almost snaps as it's caught under his weight, but Elric manages to roll to the side before too much strain is placed on it. It's just in time for Edward to lean over and take both violin and bow from his limp hands.
"It was a sweet song. Almost worth getting caught, I imagine." Edward looks at the violin with narrowed eyes, sets it on his shoulder as if he's preparing to play it. "Should I answer your tune, then?"
"Nay. I just wanted to touch it again." Elric's voice is a sandpaper rasp. "But if you want to hear it, then go ahead and play. It sounds of home, which I'm sure you miss so much by now." His voice is so wheezing that I can't hear if there's sarcasm in it or not. Don't they give their prisoners water? Or is that the collar's doing?
Edward snorts. "No thank you. I just want to know how you got it at all." He glares down, then prods the back of Elric's head with a toe. Elric just smiles.
"I walked over n' picked it up. It was right under my fallen ancestors' remains, so they jus' told me where it was. Yer cell isn' very secure, teh be honest." Elric grunts from a kick to the back of his head.
"I don't believe you, Briarseal," growls Edward. "What are you hiding? The others clam up when I ask them. What are you planning?"
"Plannin' teh survive, yer royal Xaillyndesse majesty. And that breedin's showin' through, might want to look into that."
"Solitary. Solitary until you start cooperating. The others will learn that your rebellion means nothing. You'll cave when we drag you to the King again."
Elric doesn't manage to suppress a shudder of revulsion.
"You should make sure to tell them just how it feels to be ground under his heel, so they can avoid your fate." Edward leaves the cell, violin in hand.
* * *
My vision is clear again. I swallow. I recognize that violin now. I don't know how long ago Elric rebelled, but the violin he was so adamant about playing is the same one that I'm holding in my hands now. I've played it before, and so has Elam. Jhe h'Lete showed Elric how to make it when Elric was still in training. It's old and resonates with memory.
What's wrong with Edward? Why is he being so mean? I know his mother was an expatriate Lyiannethe Xaillyndesse, but Edward's always been firmly Cruxradian in how he treats other people. Which means that he may have been arrogant and conceited, but he did so in a friendly, joking manner. I can't understand what's happened to him. Where is all this jealousy and spite coming from?
* * *
Lyric
* * *
This house is a creepy place.
No, scratch that. Ebrellin-i's Palace was a creepy place, particularly in the bedroom, but also sometimes in the gardens and the dungeons. Thelea's place is a horror show, pure and simple, and I can't wait to get out of here.
But I can't. And the funny part is, the only reason I can't is because I'm here willingly. It's not like Stevane's situation, where she's collared and trapped. I feel horrible about that, yes, but there's nothing I can do about it now. I'm not even sure how I can begin to try. Not yet.
I'm hustled through a maze of halls and down two flights of stairs. It seems like a lot of this complex is underground, which makes a lot of sense. Ebrellin-i had a few floors like that. These seem to comprise servant quarters, laundromats, kitchens and all that sort of thing. The utility aspect of the Manor is all hidden. That's just splendid - it means the freak show can be exhibited in full upstairs.
Let me put it to you this way - along the walls up there, I saw things in cages. Not just things, but people. Dryads in coccoons, and half-breed beauties in stocks, and people chained up on display, standing on pedestals. These are what she uses to hold her torches. At least the fucking Peacock King understood what a plain old-fashioned sconce was!
Down here, though, there's none of that frill or decoration - just regular tile floors, blandly painted walls, and clean linens. I'm beginning to think that most servants here make it a point to just make their living underground. Not a bad aspiration, in this nightmare of a Palace.
"Let's see here - slight little boy, aren't you? Didn't think the Lady would fancy that type. Well, no matter, let's get you fitted up for a uniform." The attendant in charge of tailoring turns to the one who guided me here. "She say what position he's gettin'?"
The servant smirks. "I rather think she fancies him a Consort."
The tailor laughs. "Well! Givin' her favorite flavor a run for his money?" He levels an appraising look at me. "How brash of ye. I commend it. Knock that cock of a man off his heels. Has it coming, the way he acts all equal to our Xaillyndessen." He measures the length of my arm and begins to turn and twist me in every which way, getting every measurement from wrist to inseam. "Lovely, lovely. You've had a fair bit of practice being dressed up."
I smirk. "This isn't my first time being Consort. It was more fun when I had Jhe Ebrellin-i wrapped around my finger, though."
He laughs. "Explains quite a bit! He would fancy your type. And what with all the sharing that goes on in the family... Well now... let's see what we can make of ye, then."
I'm fitted with clothing that loks quite like the rest of the servants, but with the cut of someone who serves in Ebrellin-i's Court. Less jackets and waistcoats, more robes, drapes and sashes. They thought it would be appropriate, and that style does suit my figure very well, I must admit. Something tells me that they're more competing against her current Consort than helping me, though. Fine, then - I'm more than adequate to knock any man or woman out of the runnings.
Of course, there's the question of if I really want to eliminate contenders against me when it comes to Thelea. I am not looking forward to ANY contact with her. Still, I decided to do this, so I've got to carry it through. Just because she isn't as pretty, charming, or persuasive as her son doesn't mean I can't seduce her.
I am getting very good at suppressing shudders.
It isn't long before I am escorted by some very eager servants to Thelea's quarters. I'm trying to ignore the surroundings here (such as the potted plant that I just passed which was really a manacled dryad that's gone half-dessicated with neglect) and trying to keep my natural flair and grace about me. "Is there tea? I should like to bring tea to her and serve it in my style."
Of course there is tea. I push the service on a wheeled cart draped with fine silk and try not to think about what I am about to do. The other servants have left me, so I am alone before the door to Thelea's quarters. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and knock.
"Come in." It's almost a whisper with the thick door muffling it. I open the door wide so that I can push the cart forward. With only the slight tinkling of crockery and my dainty footsteps accompanying my entrance, it's easy to hear the snicker. I frown, confused. That didn't sound like Thelea. I look up from the cart before closing the door.
I freeze for a fraction of a second, then execute a flawless bow. My heart's stepped in my chest, but still I go on with the flourish. "My Lady," I say, "I apologize, I did not expect a guest."
"Oh, Edward? My dear Edward is always with me, aren't you?" She reaches back and tousles my cousin's curly brown hair. Edward just looks at me with a smirk, eyes glinting with malice I've never seen in them when he's not reading aloud his newest scary story. He's thinner than I remember, dressed in servant's finery.
Queen Thelea's prized Consort.
"Of course, my Lady," he purrs. He takes her hand in his own thin, pale one, then kisses it delicately. He's grown pretty scrawny since I last saw him. I'm not sure which person sickens me most. "Who is your new toy? I don't think I've had the pleasure." His smirk widens to a grin. Oh, he knows exactly who I am. Oh shit.
Thelea rises from her bed with the ease of a sickly cat. Her hair is tousled, the bedsheets are rumpled, but her makeup is perfect. She is clothed in a negligee, the body under it thin and bony, but slight enough that I could pretend to find it appealing, should I have to. Maybe I'll just pretend she's male. I like my men on the bigger side, though, like Ebrellin-i. "I see you brought tea. Good boy, bring it over where we can all sit. Edward, this is Lotus. He is a former servant of the former Peacock King. One of the few recoverable assets of that unfortunate failure."
After I wheel the cart over, Edward bows to me in the decorum of higher servant to lower servant. I raise an eyebrow, then return the gesture with a bow given to those of equal stature. What, he thinks he's so high and mighty? I don't know what he's doing here, but I'm the one who has class.
He narrows his eyes, though Thelea doesn't react to the exchange at all. "I see. It's kind of you to pick up your son's lonely castoffs, my Queen." He pauses for dramatic effect. She's watching for his input. Damnit, she's hanging on his every word! I'm fucked. "Do you think it's wise to do such a thing, though?"
She raises an eyebrow as she slides into a white wrought-iron chair with an embroidered cushion. There are two more placed around a matching iron and glass table. Edward stands behind what would be his chair - placed between the Queen's and mine. I act as if nothing wrong is happening at all, and attend to the tea. Whatever trouble Edward wants to make for me is nothing compared to a ruined batch of tea, or an evening without tea at all.
"What would you be implying, dear heart?" She motions for him to sit. She allows me to proceed as I am, though. Good. I can even match a tea blend to this situation. Let's see Edward do that while he's trying to undermine me.
"Why should you trust a Consort of his, especially one positioned so conveniently near his demise?" Edward chuckles. "Even I recognize him. He's Radian."
Thelea sniffs. "How could he not be? I'm able to ignore it, and I'd not hold it against him." She's just leading him into what he's really trying to say - Edward very much still has her ear. I simply slide a full teacup and saucer in front of her. The delicate aroma wafts up. Rose petals, honey, and just a touch of lemon and spice. Edward pauses, waiting for his cup.
I slide it over.
"Oh, I don't mean to imply that Radian stock is, by nature, untrustworthy." That would be rather foolish, after all - he is one. "But don't you think he looks a bit more like Jhe h'Akribastes than he does Jhe o'Radia? I know he takes after my Father with the hair and eyes, but Lotus hearkens to his own Father in appearance too. It's just more in the jaw, and that smarmy Akribastes mouth. Subtle, and deceptive."
I know Thelea is bristling now, and I can feel her looking at me in a new light. I only smile and bow my head, waiting for permission to speak. A tense silence brews now that the tea is done.
"Well," she says after inspecting my features long enough to verify every one of Edward's claims, "explain yourself, Jhe Lotus." The inflection of Lotus is enough to tell me that she disbelieves that name. I deepen my smile, bow my head a bit lower, and then take my chair, and my cup of tea, with a smooth and delicate motion.
"I will admit to my deception. I have tried as hard as possible to hide my Radian roots, and if not that, the identity of my progenitor. Jhe Edward, as you grew up in the Palace, you yourself know the difficulties that my Father makes for all of those around him - especially their relations. With both of us understanding that, I am sure it's no coincidence that we both fled Beleth to find better, more prestigious careers that waited across the borders of the Empire of Audiva Rocale. I commend your taste - before now, I neither dreamed of nor aspired to serve in Lyiannethe, the very heart of elegance and refinement."
Thelea's glare is nothing that can be softened with mere words, and I bear up under it with grace and dignity. "You are a child of the Judge, then, and nephew to the seat of power in Crux Radia. I had suspected some relation, but to confess your roots openly..." She trails off, unsure of where to bring her accusations. No worries - she has Edward for that sort of thing.
"You brought down her son, and now you come to the Queen Mother to continue your deceptions and finish the Lyiannethe Royal Family off? How brave of you. It's a shame for your machinations that I was here to put such a scheme to rest." He grips the handle of his teacup. I have a hunch he's about to throw it. That would be such a poor waste of tea, though. Has he really sunk so low? In any case, I really can't allow it to happen.
"Did I do Audiva Rocale a disfavor by deposing the Peacock King from his seat of power? By all I could tell from what I have witnessed in the Aurocan Palace and Lyiannethe Manor, the Empire is better off without him." I nod my head to Thelea. "No offense meant to the Queen Mother, of course. I can merely tell what makes you happy, and which of you kept a better house."
"So you mean to say that you brought my son to his knees before the Law?" Her light tone carries on it the potential for a death sentence.
"I did what I could to help him survive, but in the end I watched Ebrellin-i dispatch himself. It's very pitiful when madness takes over, especially while having to play the poor, distressed and lost child for my Father's sake. Would you, in that situation, betray your heart to the Judge?" I pause for only a moment to sip my tea. "He brought me to Trial nevertheless, and I narrowly escaped my death sentence for the things Ebrellin-i had me do under his supervision. None less than the Judge's son would be capable of escaping his wrath. The only benefit of having such a Father - he's simply a pushover when it comes to his children." I set my teacup down. I don't shake at all. My words are smooth, and my face has just enough sinister turn on it to let Thelea realize just what it is I'm implying.
"You've been playing your Father for a fool, right in front of his eyes." She smiles, a greedy glint igniting in hers. "For how long, then?"
I feign dainty innocence. "A lady never betrays her true age."
Thelea titters. "So she doesn't." Her eyes are licking every bit of me that she can see. I do not flinch under such depradations, only glow. She believes she's won herself a prize, after all. Even if I'm not telling the truth to her, I'm a wonderful tool to work my Father over with - or so she thinks.
"...Of course," I say, "that really doesn't compare to what else I can do for you, my Lady. If you simply want bait to dangle before my Father as a lure, my sister will suffice. The abilities that your son hired me for, and that I was put to Trial for, are at your disposal as well. I nearly had broken and trained the animism that Ebrellin-i caught. I know that your skill in training surpasses even your son's. Perhaps I can be of more use for you than I was for him."
Her eyes glitter, and I know I'm dangling an even more tempting treat in front of her eyes. "An animism, you say?"
I nod, sipping my tea. "I brought him to kneel several times. He knew to fear me and learned better than to fight me. I would have had him begging me for treats if my Father hadn't come along to ruin my fun. But then... we can always continue such games, can we not?" Not that I think I'll have the opportunity, but wouldn't it be nice for her if she did? It's important to be valuable for a person - and even more important to not have a rival in that value. Surely such training isn't what she's keeping Edward around for. Speaking of him, Edward is smoldering. I wonder if I should make him happy as well. He's too close to her to be able to shoulder out of the picture so easily, and he would make a very useful ally. I'm not yet sure why he's here, though, or what functions he performs other than bedtime ones.
Thelea's eyes are even greedier now. "Describe the animism you caught, Jhe...?" Ah, yes. I haven't given her my real name, and it's obvious now that Lotus is a false one.
"Lyric, if you please, though Lotus shall do just as well if it pleases you more. The animism Ebrellin-i had me train was named Faun. He was a very small creature, with short shaggy tan hair, yellow fox's eyes, and sharp teeth. Quite a short-tempered little fellow. Do you know him?" The question is idle, just tea and crumpets talk.
She chuckles. "Perhaps we shall see him again soon, you and I. Wouldn't that be nice? Until then... well, my current gardening projects are on hold, but I'll have a number of new plants arrive today. I'd prefer you not work on those just yet, however. I think my Edward has some work for you, instead."
Edward starts, then looks at his lady in surprise. "I do?"
She laughs. "You need an assistant, my darling. Someone to pass off that work you've been grumbling about. Focus on the more pliant of your trainees - let Jhe Lyric handle the stubborn mule among them."
Edward laughs. "You mean to have him take a whip to Elric?" He snorts, then takes a gulp of tea. "Fine. I agree wholeheartedly. If nothing else, it will entertain me to watch him fail."
I confess that I am rather dismayed that I have no idea what they are talking about. Wait, Elric? The Peacekeeper's brother? He's here? Well, time to play it cool. I have no idea what I've gotten myself into, but I've got to pretend it's all on purpose. "Who, or what, is an Elric?"
Thelea smirks. "Oh, only the most wretched type of animal. A hills person. I think you'll find him less well-mannered than a common animism. I should like to see what you do with him, Lyric." She rises, then gestures for me to follow her. "Consider it a test."
* * *