Three

Duel of the Fates on Emma’s giant flute and Anna’s concert harp came to an end. 

“Oh my god that was some work.” Anna grinned. “It’s getting better every time.”

“My dad would have a stroke.” Emma broke into giggles, “He’s very against anything that isn’t classical from a big name composer.”

“Duel of the Fates is classical! And it’s John Williams, you don’t get more ‘big name’ than John freaking Williams.” 

“It’s good, I love it.” Emma giggled again, “But we really need a few more people to do it right.”

“I like trying to condense things, trying to see what you really need, how much you can cut away and still have something, you know? But I mean, maybe a vocalist? I think we have the rest.”

“And percussion. It’s not the same with you smacking the harp like that.”

“I’ll grant you that could absolutely be improved.” 

Anna made a face and Emma pushed her playfully. Her stool wobbled, spilling her backward into muddy mucky water. No matter what she did she could only barely keep her head out of it.

She woke with a start, noticing a man dressed as Masters Adphon and Joran had been staring at her from a chair beside the bed. Her brow furrowed as she sat up and pulled the covers up modestly, he averted his eyes.

“Who are you and why are you-”

“I am Master Yelsys. Were you not informed of tests that would be conducted?”

“Yes, and I have no problem with that but maybe you could let me wake up and dress first? Maybe have breakfast?”

He chuckled. “Were you having an unpleasant dream?”

She blinked, “I was trying to keep my head above muddy water. It was… very unpleasant.”

He nodded with a small smile. “There is something under your pillow, can you hand it to me?”

Lifting her pillow gingerly, she saw a small black pouch. As soon as her fingers touched it she yelped and scrambled back away from it. 

“It bit me!” Anna shook her hand and then checked it for marks.

Yelsys barked a laugh. “It did not bite you.”

A maid came in with a great deal of fabric and dropped it all hurriedly over a chair in her haste to wrap a robe around Anna’s shoulders. “My Lady?”

“Be careful, last night people were getting too warm after touching me.”

“She is still pure enough to react to the qina. Did you have any ill effects from touching her?”

“No, Master, but she feels very warm.”

He picked up something from the pillow and took a deep breath. “Be careful of her hair. Even a strand left behind lends warmth.”

She and the maid watched as he put it on the pouch and the piece of hair sizzled and went up in smoke. The man picked up the pouch and then came over toward her holding it out, Anna skittered back. 

“I want to see what happens to your hair when-”

“A Lady’s hair is her glory!” The maid stepped between them and held up her hands. “I won’t allow you to ruin her hair!”

There was a knock at the door and it opened a crack, “My Lady wife suggested I make certain-”

“He wants to ruin the Lady’s hair!” the maid said frantically and the door opened wider allowing Orilen in.

“A single strand went up in smoke when it touched the qina I wish to-”

“You want to see if all of my hair will do the same?” Anna twisted her hair and held it. “I can pluck another strand or ask someone to carefully trim the ends but you must be insane to think you can leave me bald or with short singed hair to satisfy your curiosity!”

Yelsys flushed slightly, “I hadn’t considered how you would look afterward, that is true.”

“Because you’re looking at me as a test subject and not a person.” Anna frowned at him. 

“I will escort Master Yelsys out and allow the maid to help you dress, if she’s willing to make the attempt.” Orilen smiled wryly. “Lady Annabella was very unpleasant to touch yesterday.”

“She’s very warm, my Lord but she didn’t burn me.”

“I suspect the purifying effects of bathing in pure water fade over time, Master Joran said you linger in the water?”

“I don’t usually get out of the bath until the water starts to feel cool. Otherwise it’s a waste of water.”

Yelsys looked pensive and then smiled. “Impurity is leached out in the bath. And when it begins to feel cool the process has finished. You submerge yourself?”

“Yes. I also rinse my hair and scalp well so that I can go longer between real washes with shampoo.”

“I need a few more strands, perhaps a lock of hair.” Yelsys wasn’t looking at her face, only her hair.

“Let us go discuss what you need.” Orilen tried to usher the man out. 

“You said you use ‘shampoo’? What is that?”

“A soap made specifically for hair.” Anna looked at him oddly, “It’s a gentle liquid soap and it washes out cleanly, I use one that has a light floral scent at home.”

“The Lady is accustomed to very expensive things.” Orilen gave her an amused look. “I will have inquiries made.”

The maid looked at her hair nervously as the men left. 

“If you have pins I can do a simple braid and pin it up. I know it has to be looking awful, I usually sleep with it braided and in a satin cap to keep it from being frizzy.”

The woman relaxed, “I’ll have one brought for you, many of us do that to keep our hair in order. We wash it less often than the fine ladies.”

“Washing it too much can damage it.” Anna smiled and shrugged, “But I did learn about the caps from the girls at university. Those caps are wonderful. Whoever invented them was brilliant.”

The maid giggled and ushered her to a mirrorless vanity and gave her a comb. As Anna was combing out her hair, the maid made a thoughtful sound and fetched something from a drawer.

“Perhaps… Lady Bririah has some satin cloth. If I cover my hands, perhaps I can help.”

“Please, I can only do very simple things with my hair.” She made a face and the maid giggled again.

The woman came back with two satiny slips and pinned them carefully at her wrists as if they were loose bags. Working together, with Anna holding pieces of hair and the maid assisting and directing, they managed to make a braided crown of hair around her head, pinned into place.

“That looks lovely and very regal, Lady.” The maid beamed when they were finished.

“I appreciate your help, though I’m worried we may have to pull it all back down if they decide to take a lock of hair.”

“Lady Bririah won’t allow it. He’s mad to have suggested it, Lady.” The woman gave her a warmly reassuring smile. “Let’s put on your clothing for the day.”

In short order, Anna was put into undergarments, a more voluminous shift dress, possibly made for a larger woman, and the shawl was modestly wrapped covering her shoulders in a style similar to the one she’d done herself, though the belt was hidden and the cloth hung over it concealing her figure. The shoes were different as well, soft tan leather instead of canvas.

Once dressed the maid escorted her to a courtyard in the center of the house with a garden and a large table beneath an awning. Anna put on a warm smile on seeing Bririah. 

“Good morning, Lady Bririah. You have a lovely home.”

The woman beamed. “The maid was able to help you with your hair?”

“Yes, she’s a very clever woman, covering her hands with satin to protect them seemed to work well. It seems I’m not as warm as I was last night after my bath but my hair is still very unpleasant to touch.”

“You should consider bathing in normal water, Lady Annabella. It may make things better for everyone.”

“I will take it into consideration, and please call me Anna. My family and friends all do.”

“That is adorable but you have such a lovely name, you should use it.”

“You are welcome to call me Anna or Annabella as you please, in private.” Anna smiled warmly offering her hand. 

Bririah took it and then let go before reaching out and clasping it in both hands. “You’re still quite warm, yes, but it’s much less than it was last night. If we’re relaxing formalities in private, please call me Bririah.”

“I am glad to do so, Bririah. Have you eaten already? Am I late for breakfast? I know my dad likes to eat very early and so does my stepmom. I would hate to delay your breakfast if you also eat early.”

The older woman chuckled, “No, you aren’t late, Annabella, such a dear girl. My sons will be here in a moment and so will Orilen as soon as he’s done speaking to the Masters.” She ushered Anna to sit at the table, “Do you know what they’re speaking about?”

“I know the one who was staring at me as I woke up wanted to cut a lock of my hair. He put a strand of my hair on this thing he called a qina and it sizzled and burned. The maid kept him from holding that horrible thing up to my head to see what would happen. That’s when he said he wanted to either pluck or cut some of my hair and Lord Orilen said they would discuss it.”

“Absolutely not.” Bririah turned a scowl toward a door to the courtyard. “I will not allow it. Orilen should know better, if he doesn’t dissuade them I will.”

“I am deeply grateful, Bririah.” Anna took a deep breath. “You said last night that you have two sons?”

“Yes! The nanny is bringing them shortly.” Bririah beamed. “Orilen said that your father had you taught to play instruments by masters of the craft? I wanted to ask if I could impose upon you to play something after breakfast.”

“Absolutely. I would be happy to play for you. I enjoy it and my father says it’s a gift meant to be nurtured and shared. What instruments do you have? I’m an excellent harpist but I can play most of the string instruments well.”

“Wonderful, we do keep a harp, though it’s difficult to find someone skilled with one.”

“Yes, most people prefer the smaller instruments that are a little less demanding, but the harp is a very elegant instrument. There’s nothing quite like it, really.”

A slightly harried looking woman ushered two boys that were perhaps eight and ten through the garden and the smaller boy stopped to hide behind the woman as he looked at Anna. The nanny turned and whispered to him and then gave him a doting look as he answered. Pushing him gently forward, they came closer.

“These are your sons? They’re handsome boys.” Anna smiled warmly at them and the smaller one blushed and tried to grab the skirt of the nanny again.

“Lord Emellan, Lord Emminar, come come.” Bririah gave the smaller boy an annoyed look, “This is Lady Annabella, she’s descended from royalty and very gentle natured.”

“Forgiveness, my lady, Young Lord Emminar said she looked too lovely to be real.”

Anna put a hand over her heart and beamed, “He’s a charmer! That is so sweet!”

Bririah’s face softened, “He’s a little shy but he’s a very charming boy, you’re very right.”

“You want them to be a little shy if they’re charming, otherwise you’ll have dozens of heart broken young ladies at every party they attend.” Anna teased and Bririah laughed.

Orilen came out with three men, Joran, Adphon, and Yelsys and gave the boys a smile. “My Lady wife is laughing, are my sons being entertaining?”

“Emminar said Lady Annabella looked too lovely to be real.” Emellan huffed, “And then he hid in Nanny Heiyra’s skirts.”

“I grew up without any brothers or sisters but all of my friends said that it’s very difficult to be the oldest. All the expectations of excellence your parents have for you can be heavy sometimes and you have to watch your younger siblings get away with things you’d have been fussed at for.” Anna smiled warmly at the boy, “Even so, I envied them. You both have someone who’ll always have your back in any situation and a friend who’ll defend you even if you’re in the middle of an argument with each other. One of my very best friends used to argue constantly with her brother but the moment someone else started to pick on one of them the other would leap to defend the one being picked on. Oh, I was so jealous.”

Emellan smiled shyly. “We don’t argue all the time. My Uncle Davridan says sisters are much worse.”

“I’ve heard that too. More than one cousin of mine told me growing up that sisters are the absolute worst. Mostly because you’re not allowed to hit them back when they hit you. It’s ungentlemanly.” She nodded with a look of commiseration on her face and both boys giggled.

“I will have a talk with my little brother.” Bririah looked amused. “Please join us, Masters.”

“Thank you, Lady Bririah.” Adphon looked mildly amused, “This is a rare pleasure.”

Everyone took seats and platters of food were brought out. Looking at it all, not all of it was familiar and some of what was couldn't be called breakfast food. Anna felt ravenous looking at it all though.

She filled her plate with what looked like roasted chicken in some kind of sauce, a buttery roll, a couple of small sausages, a tiny cup with a hard boiled egg, a round flat pastry drowned in honey or some kind of syrup, and a spoonful of melon chunks.

“That is a great deal of food.” Joran frowned at her plate.

“I didn’t have dinner last night and I’m famished.”

“Oh!” Bririah looked horrified.

“It’s not a fault in your hospitality! I arrived well past the time anyone reasonable would have eaten dinner. I should have before the party but,” She made a face and Orilen broke into laughter.

“You expected there to be food at a kegger?” he grinned as she sighed and dipped her head.

“I wasn’t expecting a full dinner but food is served at parties! I expected there to be something.”

He laughed the way he had the night before until he was wiping away a tear of mirth. Adphon was giving her a deeply amused look but the other two men looked vaguely confused.

“You did not.” Biriah gave her a motherly look of disapproval. “You did not go to a-a kegger.”

“All of the other girls from my university were going and it sounded like it should be fun. I’m very aware that I was not allowed to go, and I regret my ill-considered actions, but how was I supposed to know why I shouldn’t go if I’d never been to one?”

Orilen started laughing again as Bririah arched a brow and gave her a look that could take the paint off of a wall. Anna dropped her chin and put on her best look of contrition.

“That kittenish expression may have worked on your father, little girl but it won’t work on me. You were told not to go and that should have been all that was required. Your mother deserves a scolding for being so lax that you thought you could attend and not face very serious consequences.”

At that Anna straightened, “My mother is dead. She died when I was ten, miscarrying another of my siblings. I’m the only one that lived. And my stepmother is barely older than I am. While it’s true my father rarely scolded me, I’m the only one to blame for my poor choices. My mother did nothing to deserve a scolding.”

Bririah blinked and then sighed, “I apologize. I was unaware. Someone should have taught you better. Sons can do without a mother if their father is attentive but a daughter…”

“My nanny was competent and my grandmother is a very stern woman. I should have known better but everyone else was going and I didn’t understand what kind of party it was. The fault is mine.”

“Your father should have sent a trusted servant with you.” Joran frowned.

“He either sent someone discreetly or paid one of the professors to keep an eye on me. My father usually knew what was going on even without me telling him.”

“Why wouldn’t he send a servant?” Bririah gave her a horrified look. “Who was looking after you?”

“My stepmother and her family believe very strongly that everyone should be capable of looking after themselves if they need to. My father, for reasons I discussed with your very kind husband,” she paused as he laughed, “agrees with that to a point. I did what I could on my own and he paid for anything I couldn't manage, like laundry. I tried, I genuinely did, but I ruined a dress I’d just gotten and I refuse to try it again.

“I did, however, learn to make pizza, if someone else makes the dough for me,” Anna made a face and Bririah looked like she was trying not to laugh, “and I know how to make one or two really delicious desserts.”

“You learned how to put cheese on bread if someone else makes the bread?” Bririah teased and laughed as Anna gave her wounded look.

“You have to brush the dough with olive oil, generously sprinkle on powdered garlic, you put a layer of grated cheese, a few pinches of dried oregano and basil, then you add a thinly sliced spicy sausage made with pepperoni peppers, and another layer of cheese. It is so good.”

“We do make it a little differently here.” Bririah smiled warmly, “I’ll show you how to make a Loverian pizza, we don’t use dried spices or spicy sausages on it.”

“I would like that very much.”

“You haven't taken a bite of your food.” Yelsys looked at her with annoyance and she realized everyone else had been eating as she talked.

“I get fussed at because I'm either eating or talking, I can’t do both. It takes me forever to finish a meal if I’m chatting.” Anna gave Bririah a contrite look and the woman laughed.

“Eat, eat, you’re far too thin as it is.”

“Slender.” She started to put a bite on her fork. “I’ve tried to put on weight but I have my mother’s build. My father would give me cakes to try to fatten me up and it never worked. My grandmother used to ask if they were sure the nanny was feeding me.”

Anna took a bite of what she’d thought was chicken and gave Bririah a pleased look, once she’d swallowed she asked, “Honey pomegranate sauce? That’s one of my father's favorites. I think he’s had it served on every kind of poultry they could find. Pheasant is, I think, the best, but duck is excellent too.”

The woman beamed, “I agree. Eat, eat, you can tell me how you like it when you’re done.”

Laughing, Anna nodded and started to eat, remembering to take small delicate bites and maintain her posture as her grandmother always insisted on.

When she was nearly finished Adphon smiled wryly, “The girl even eats gracefully. She’s unmistakably well bred.”

“There’s not a mark on the girl, it baffles me.” Joran frowned.

“Royalty receives no mark, and she may be from a line descended from a b*****d, but because he was recognized and they’ve held the surname granted by their King, she is unmarked.” Orilen glanced at his sons, “If my boys were a little bit older I would try to make the match even with the difficulty her mother had in conceiving.”

“Davridan is unmarried and of a suitable age.” Bririah nodded. “Not only would the match elevate my family and ours by extension, one of her children could marry one of our grandchildren.”

“I’ve already invited him.” Orilen gave her an amused look. “As people can be eased into purity, I suspect she can be eased out of it. She would need to be so that he could touch her.”

“I want to learn how long her hair holds its purity.” Yelsys frowned. “I’m not certain how it became so…”

“She washes in pure water.” Joran shook his head, “I thought she would recoil when she touched it but she got into the tub full of heated pure water and submerged herself to rinse her hair.”

“It should lose its purity as the rest of her body does, it touches the pillows, combs-”

“Um, I have to be careful how often I wash my hair with shampoo, too often can damage it even with the gentleness of what I use. I sleep in a satin cap. The maid who helped me with my hair very cleverly covered her hands with satin to be able to touch it.”

Yelsys sat back and then broke into an unpleasant smile. “You use gentle soaps because to wash properly you have to use normal water.”

“It’s very clean water-”

Adphon lifted a hand gesturing to her, “They boil it and let it cool first. It isn’t pure but it’s clean. Washing it too often would damage it but it can be washed.”

“That’s why she drinks tea.” Orilen gave her a warm smile. “I wondered how she could.”

“Yes.” Adphon huffed a laugh. “When you relayed her full name and its meaning I had suspicions that her father never intended for her to marry. And the child looked confused when you began discussing marrying her to your brother-in-law.”

“I’ve never really thought about marriage and I’m more than a little afraid at the thought of trying to have children. My mother… I remember the way she cried about my siblings and I remember… The day she died she was taking a nap in the garden, she hadn’t slept well and she was very tired, so no one went out to bother her. They found her on the path back to the house in a pool of blood and they didn’t know how long she’d been there. Blood soaked into the rocks and when it rained they would…”

Bririah rose and came to rub her back, “Poor girl. I hope something was done to clean it.”

“All of it was torn out and the stones were buried. The path was rerouted. My dad and I planted a flowering tree there.” She took a breath and it hitched so she closed her eyes and took a moment to focus on her breathing. “I apologize for…”

“There’s nothing to apologize for.” Bririah offered gently.

“I insist you allow me to play something for you to lighten the mood again.” Anna put on a smile as best she could and Bririah touched her cheek with a smile.

“Of course. Something sweet would be pleasant.”

Orilen lifted his hand and spoke quietly to the servant who hurried over. Barely a moment later a harp and stool were brought out and placed. Rising from her seat Anna looked the harp over. It cemented the belief that this was a dream because nothing else could explain a more ornate version of her concert harp standing in front of her, pedals and all.

“I’ll play one my mother-”

“Play a hymn.” Yelsys frowned. 

Anna looked to Bririah to see what she said and the woman, smiled coolly. “Play a hymn, a sweet one if you know one.”

“All hymns are sweet.” Yelsys snorted and gave Bririah an annoyed look.

“Oh, no. You haven't heard music played on the harp. Some are haunting on the harp.” Anna tested the harp to make certain it was in tune and then played one of the oldest songs she knew even though it wasn’t technically a hymn it had always made her feel like it was. 

As she finished they all looked stunned.

“What song…”

“The Snows They Melt the Soonest.” 

“Play something less haunting, you said you wanted to play a song your mother enjoyed?” Orilen dipped his head.

“She liked to play it when I was little. It’s called Over the Rainbow.”

Anna held a soft smile as she played the gentle nostalgic tune. Bririah beamed at her once it was done. 

“Lovely!” 

“What did your father like?” Emellan asked curiously.

“That would depend on his mood. His favorites are all beautiful but some are melancholy. I can play one of the more cheerful songs if you like, it’s called ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’-”

Orilen broke into laughter, “I wish to hear that one.”

Playing it with a soft smile held in place Orilen and Bririah looked pleased as it finished. 

“You claimed to be a skilled harpist, play something to show your skill.” Yelsys waved for someone to come from the side and an older man hurried forward. “What is your assessment of her skill? Those pieces looked simplistic.”

“The Lady makes playing look effortless, that alone shows mastery. I suspect she can play a much more challenging piece with ease.”

“You’re a harpist?” Anna smiled warmly. “I can do a more challenging piece. You may enjoy this one. I always enjoy seeing it played well.” 

The man gave her a small smile, “I have enjoyed each of them.”

“This is one of the pieces I learned while I was in University to play for a concert.” Anna began playing Chopin’s Fantaisie Impromptu op 66 that had been adapted for the harp, playing with as much passion as she could summon and focusing on the strings.

As this piece finished she noticed that the harpist and both boys had come to kneel or stand close to her.

“Masterful.” The harpist gently took one of her hands as if inspecting it and then looked at her with amusement as he released it, “The calluses required must have been a sacrifice for hands so elegant.”

“I love to play. I remember my mother telling me once, ‘Some beautiful things are worth the effort and pain it costs to acquire them.’ She had the gift of being able to play any instrument put in front of her, I’m only talented on string instruments.”

“You favor the harp?”

“I do. I would beg my mother to play hers for me so she taught me to play it for myself so she could have a moment's peace.”

Emminar giggled and then tried to duck behind his brother before asking, “What did you beg her to play?”

“Ooh, I can play the song I loved most to see her play. I think you’ll like it. It’s called Un Sospiro.”

She played the challenging but serene piece, half closing her eyes at some points, for her own enjoyment this time. On finishing she noticed that both boys were seated on the ground close to the harp and the harpist still standing nearby had tears in his eyes.

“Divine perfection,” the man close to her murmured.

“Play it again!” Emminar leaned forward with a smile.

Anna laughed and beamed at him. “You sound like me when I was small. That’s exactly the reason she taught me to play it for myself, so I could sit and play it over and over. She had things to do.”

The boys both giggled.

“I think,” Orilen came over to stand behind the boys, “that no one can dispute your skill, Lady Annabella. That was… each song was more enthralling than the last.”

“You’re very kind to say so.”

“Pledged to the gods.” Adphon looked deeply amused as he came closer as well. “I will petition that she be allowed to play in the temple once a week before the prayers. They would be better attended. She will need to be taught some Lovarian hymns. The Irocian hymn she played was hauntingly beautiful but slightly unsettling.”

“You should hear The Carol of the Bells. Played in a place with the right acoustics it always makes me feel as if I’ve been dipped, body and soul, into a pool of bittersweet memories. It’s very popular around the winter holidays,” Anna offered as if he hadn’t been speaking about her and not to her.

“It sounds like it should suit them.” Adphon nodded.

Bririah was frowning sternly as Yelsys carried a cup from the table, offering it.

“You must be thirsty after playing.” The man offered it and she gave him a dubious look.

“You won’t take a cup of water from me?”

“You asked me to touch that thing that hurt my fingers and you wanted to touch it to my hair to see if it would all burn away like the strand that was on my pillow. You’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little wary of anything you offer me.”

Joran chuckled and took the cup, taking a sip before offering it to her. “It is not poison, I promise you.”

“What hurt your fingers?” Adphon asked curiously.

“He called it a qina. It felt like it bit my fingers when I touched it.”

“Yelsys-” Adphon began as she took a sip.

Anna spit out what felt like glass shards suspended in sour liquid immediately, falling off of the stool as she tried to get to her feet. Her mouth was watering uncontrollably and tasted like metal. The harpist rushed to help her up and Bririah shrieked.

“Fetch cloths and a bucket of boiled water!” Adphon barked as he came over and forced her to bend over.

What she had thought was saliva had been blood, she could see it running out of her mouth now that she was bent. Her eyes were watering so badly she could barely see and Adphon hissed, jerking away.

“The blood and the tears are as hot as pure water. Stay back.”

The harpist kept hold of her arm, letting her lean slightly against his hip. “What did you give her?” The man asked sternly.

“Water.” Joran blinked.

“Boiled or unboiled water?” Orilen asked sharply.

“Unboiled.” Bririah said in a tone of deep disapproval. “I told them not to but they told me to be silent.”

“Tears of pure water, and blood nearly so…” Yelsys sounded pleased. “She belongs in the Temple-”

“How unfortunate that you are no longer allowed to take women as sisters.” Orilen said sternly. “The girl was abducted from a party in Irocia and thrown naked in a cell in the prison beneath the temple and I strongly suspect it was one of those who use the Hands of Osros that did so. No one else could have brought her so far in an instant.

“She is of royal blood and it is my duty as a Lord and as her host to see to her safety. Lady Annabella will not be leaving here with anyone who has harmed her.”

“A single Lord may not defy three-” 

Yelsys didn’t get any further as Emellan stood straight and said loudly, “There are three here! We will not allow you to take her away!”

Emminar moved to stand next to him with his chin up. “You’re not allowed!”

“Peace, everyone be calm. I will have the matter discussed with the Exarch and his council. Lady Fitzroy-Grenfell will remain here for now,” Adphon said firmly. “I will purify a vat of water for her to drink. Her mouth should be rinsed with it before anything else. Bring me a cup or a pitcher of water, whatever you can reach most quickly.”

Anna stayed bent and looking at the small puddle of blood under her. A moment later a cup was brought and a gloved hand poured a little from it on a cloth, wiping her face before helping her upright.”

“Rinse your mouth, child. Spit it onto the ground.” Adphon handed her the cup.

Doing as he said she felt a wave of relief as she swished the water from the second cup around in her mouth and spat it. She did so once more and then let him dab the cloth into the water to better clean the blood that had been drying around her mouth and on her chin.

“That feels much better, thank you.” Anna gave him a small nod and the older man smiled wryly.

“A way should be sought to bring her back to a more natural state but nothing should be done until the Exarch has made a decision. Give her pure water only until her mouth has fully healed.”

“His Majesty may also wish to meet her.” Orilen gave a small inclination of his head.

The harpist began to follow the Masters and Anna spoke up, “Please, I would like to know your name. You were very kind.”

He smiled and offered a shallow bow, “Tiblan, my lady. It was an honor to hear you play. I do not know how unkindness could be offered after your performance.” The man followed after the still retreating Masters who looked as if they were arguing quietly as they went.

Bririah helped her back to sit at the table. “Poor girl, did you bite your tongue that it bled that way?”

“No, it, the water was sour and it felt like it was filled with shards of glass.” She opened her mouth so the woman could look inside.

With a shiver, Bririah stepped away. 

“Can I see?” Emellan asked curiously, moving closer.

“The inside of her mouth looks terrible and some parts are still oozing blood, my little lord, you don’t want to see it.” Bririah said gently pulling him away. “I was so proud of you, of both of you, for standing up as lords and keeping our guest safe. That was well done.”

“I am very grateful.” Anna nodded and then wiped at her still somewhat watery eye with a finger as she took a deep breath.

A cloth was thrust at her by a nervous maid, “My Lady?”

“It hurt so badly that my eyes watered and they haven't quite stopped.” She dabbed at her eyes with the cloth.

“Go rest.” Bririah gave her a gentle smile. “I’ll have the maids find a satin cap for your hair and you’ll be fetched for lunch which should be far more pleasant.”

“Thank you, Bririah.”

Reviews

[Gary]

Another good chapter. The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning for me personally but ended well. Now on to the next chapter.