Chapter 12

Her Day in Court

Weamar rode back to Siel where he spent the night. Once again, an ale and a warm fireplace helped him think. After pondering all the things that he'd learned over the past few days he decided that it was important that he find out the level of information that the Knights of Ezra had. But he was concerned that he would be risking causing more harm by giving away some of the things that he knew. He figured that if the Knights were simply following orders and being manipulated to some degree from a higher-up then there was still a remote chance that their hand could be stayed. But if they were actually well aware of the situation, then he figured that he might be opening his mouth to the wrong person. Weamar knew that he wouldn't last long in prison. He needed the forest, and to breathe the open air. He had to play it safe.

Weamar was concerned that he wasn't achieving much in Verbrek and worried that any delay would make another Gladehaven more likely. He also felt that his only real hope was to stop an all-out war, and helping a village in Verbrek by offering his sword and skill to defend it wasn't likely to achieve that. He needed to see Marius, and so the next morning he mounted up and headed off on the road to Sturben.

It was too soon to be leaving his homeland, but Weamar felt that he had no choice, and if anyone in the church could help him it was Marius. For three long days he traveled across the countryside, spending the nights off the road and making camp. He arrived in Sturben late one evening, and found the Golden Mushroom open for business just as before. But as he sat down at the bar and started talking with the people there that he knew he found out that things were quite a bit different since he had been there last.

Jake, the barkeep, had gotten a little older and a little rounder. And James, the stable boy, had married Gillian, the barmaid. The happy couple were expecting their first child soon. Weamar also found out that Marius was still the Sentire, but that Brother Lucius had passed away very recently. Some say that he died of a broken heart when he heard about what had happened to Eliza. Weamar didn't go into the details about Eliza, but commented that she was in very good health when he had last seen her a week ago. The many patrons at the bar who knew the young woman were happy for her and told Weamar that Marius would be delighted to hear that news as well. Jake offered Weamar a room for the night at half price. But Weamar insisted on paying the full amount. After all, he had a pocket full of gold that he had no good use for.

The next morning Weamar awakened and rode to the church of Ezra in Sturben. When he found Marius  he saw that the priest looked as if he had aged several years since Weamar had last seen him, but he still smiled and greeted the ranger warmly when he arrived. After exchanging greetings Marius invited Weamar into his office to talk about more serious matters.

Weamar told Marius briefly of the saga of Eliza, not wanting to get into the details, like the visit to Kendra's castle and the quest that she had sent them on. He simply said that they found someone to heal the young priestess and that she was alive and well in Dementlieu.

"I'm glad to hear that she is doing well.", Marius said after Weamar finished with the tale, but Weamar noted that it was strange that Marius was not more excited about the news. Something was bothering him.

"Yes, it was a great relief to us all, however during my travels I've heard a number of disturbing things.", Weamar said, leading into what had happened in Verbrek. "I was wondering whether similar things had been happening here."

Marius nodded and urged Weamar to continue.

"I've heard a number of slightly different stories regarding the events leading to the destruction of Gladehaven, in Verbrek.", Weamar said, watching Marius' face closely to see if the priest was of a like mind when it came to how he viewed the situation. "Some stories have it that the entire town were werewolves. Others that the werewolves there were living peaceably with the humans."

"Oh, that, yes, disturbing it is.", Marius began. "I have seen only the church's official reports. So you can imagine what they say."

Weamar breathed a little easier.

"I do know that Petrov was there. Do you remember Petrov?", Marius asked. "The man has changed."

"Yes, I remember him.", Weamar replied. "And not particularly fondly."

"The last time I saw him he was cold, emotionless. And totally devoted to the church.", Marius continued. "He went through the purification ritual and claimed that Ezra had spoken to him."

"Did he relate what Ezra said?", Weamar asked.

"No.", Marius replied. "He just said she helped him to realize what his true purpose was. Not long after they made him the captain of the White Knights."

"Oh.", Weamar said, growing worried that the Knights might be lead by a vengeful fanatic.

"They're doing well now.", Marius added. "Not like when they first began. They are feared and respected throughout the land."

"I'm beginning to understand why they should be feared, at least.", Weamar countered. "Unfortunately I fear their actions are leading us to the brink of a war."

"With whom?", Marius asked.

"The werewolves, and likely anyone they can call to their aid.", Weamar answered. "And while I share no particular fondness for werewolves, the way I'm hearing things I cannot blame them for wanting some retribution."

Weamar went on to tell about the events he experienced in the Nachtfliegen Forest, particularly the messages from the ravens describing an old pact between humans and the other creatures of the land, and the continued encroachment of humans. He also told Marius about the conversation he had overheard between Kendra and the werewolves, although not mentioning the Green Man or Kendra by name.

"That is what I feared but I said nothing. The church elders want the war. They want to crush the Legions of the Night.", Marius replied.

Weamar frowned. "Whether that end is 'right' is hardly for me to judge, but when the means involve indiscriminate slaughter, there has to be a better way.", Weamar concluded.

"Hubris.", Marius said, referring to the church elders' ambitious goals. "They believe that Ezra will protect them. I fear that they are quite wrong about that."

Then Marius sighed and added in a defeated tone, "But soon my say will matter even less."

"Oh?", Weamar asked.

"They are replacing Brother Lucius, may Ezra guard his soul.", Marius explained. "But they are replacing him with me. They are bringing in another to serve as Sentire of Sturben."

Weamar looked perplexed, he wasn't that familiar with the internal mechanics of church politics, but the arrangement didn't sound particularly fair. Marius read his reaction.

"Indeed, that is not the normal order of things, but I fear that I have fallen out of favor with the church leaders.", Marius added.

"I do hope you haven't been trying to instill a sense of morality into them.", Weamar said smiling, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm afraid not.", Marius said ashamedly. "And I am guilty of things about which I should know better."

"Aren't we all.", Weamar said, remembering that he himself wouldn't have any trouble coming up with a list of his transgressions.

"There is something that I must tell you.", Marius said, leaning closer to Weamar. "The book that you found in the buried chapel. The one for summoning demons.", Marius whispered, unsure of whether he should be telling Weamar about it. "Aselid told me that it was very important that he have it in his possession."

Weamar looked quite taken aback. The news was like a bolt from the blue. "It's not the sort of thing I really want to even touch again.", Weamar replied. "Did he give his reasons?"

"'To make sure that Rastinon can never come back' is what he said.", Marius replied. "The church had it in its possession. I had access to it. I did what I felt was right."

"That's all any of us can do.", Weamar replied. "I can understand Aselid's reservations about the church having it at the moment."

"It's not that I don't trust the church, but I trust Aselid even more.", Marius explained. "But the church found out. Somebody saw me. They tracked the book to Port-a-Lucine. To Aselid."

"So the church has it again?", Weamar asked.

"Indeed, and they are going to bring charges against Aselid, serious charges.", Marius said nervously. "And perhaps against you and I as well. They believe that he is in league with the Legions of the Night."

"That might be a self-fulfilling prophecy, yet.", Weamar said.

"No. Aselid is as noble a man as I have ever met.", Marius countered. "But no good can come of this."

"My words were ill-chosen, I meant that the church's actions make it difficult to choose a position that doesn't oppose them.", Weamar clarified. Marius nodded thoughtfully. Then Weamar asked, "How much sway does the captain of the Knights of Ezra have within the church hierarchy?"

"I believe he only has the power to execute his orders how he sees fit, and not what those orders are.", Marius explained. "But he does have a seat on the council."

"I'm just a bit concerned that Petrov's personality changed at about the time we found that book.", Weamar explained.

"When Eliza left it changed many of us.", Marius explained. "She meant a lot to him as well as Brother Lucius."

Weamar nodded. "Aselid would be right to be concerned if someone within the church had been compromised and could use the book.", Weamar continued.

"I don't fear the church being compromised, I fear that the church would destroy the book.", Marius answered. "Aselid wanted to find a way to destroy the gems and wanted to study the book. He said that the book might hold the only way to do that."

"But try explaining that to Vasile Topa.", Marius added with a shrug.

"I see.", Weamar agreed.

"I think that it would not be good for you to make contact with the church until this is all over.", Marius advised.

Weamar gave Marius an odd look, as if he'd figured that out some time ago. "It sounds like much the same could be said for you.", Weamar answered. "What are your plans?"

"I'm too old to start a new life somewhere else.", Marius said sadly. "I will accept the demotion and serve out my years with the people whom I have grown to care about the most."

"I feared that 'serious charges' might have meant more than a demotion for you.", Weamar replied. "I hope that future stays as peaceful as it sounds."

"I understand that my name is to be kept out of it to avoid embarrassment to the church.", Marius explained.

Weamar sighed. "It's a poor reflection on the church that their image is their first concern, fortunate though it is for you in this instance.", Weamar said very articulately.

"Yes, I am grateful for that discretion.", Marius replied.

"I feel at a loss as to how to proceed now.", Weamar said, thinking about what one man could do to stop the trouble brewing. "I was hoping to be able to at least get the church to listen to an alternate view, but with that avenue closed…"

"I understand. I have tried to do that all of my life.", Marius said. "And I thank you for all that you have done for Eliza. You are a noble man. Perhaps you can find a way to make things right again."

"Perhaps, but my only possible help now is the history of someone who looks like me, though I'm not sure why.", Weamar said as Marius gave him a curious look. "That sounds insane, doesn't it? I don't suppose the name 'Henri DuBois' means anything to you?"

Weamar mentioned Henri out of pure optimism. He didn't expect Marius to know anything about it at all.

Marius repeated the name a few times as he leaned back in his chair. "Jacqueline Renier's true love?", he said. "Is that it?"

Weamar almost fell over backwards. "Yes.", he said as he recovered.

"I heard the stories about that when I was a boy.", Marius explained. "He found out some dark secret about her and left her, but she still pines away for him. Some sort of nonsense like that."

"I can't say that any of it is true.", Marius added.

"I worked for Lady Renier for a while.", Weamar explained. "So I know that some of it, at least, is true."

Weamar paused, trying to decide what should be said, and what should not.

"You say that there really was a Henri?", Marius asked.

"There really was, and he looked just like me.", Weamar said. "I saw his picture in an old locket that Jacqueline wanted back."

Marius gave Weamar a surprised look.

"I said it sounded insane.", Weamar said again.

Marius considered the issue. "Perhaps you are related.", Marius said.

Weamar nodded. "Perhaps.", he conceded. "My heritage is largely unknown to me."


Marinae spent the rest of her time in Port-a-Lucine gathering a few provisions. She picked up a few more dresses and purchased a few books. She tried on the dresses, then she picked up Rambis and looked at how she appeared carrying him around.

"You may start a fad of your own.", Marinae thought to her familiar. "Once I am seen with a cat, every maiden shall need at least two, to be fashionable."

"I am not an accessory.", Rambis replied in a huff.

"No?", she said, holding him on her arm causally.

"No. Hmmph.", Rambis replied, clinging to her and trying not to fall.

Marinae smiled. "Indeed not. You are a prince among cats.", she said sarcastically.

"Felinus Rex.", Rambis replied.

The ship set sail and Marinae said goodbye to her home away from home. Port-a-Lucine was a modern city, and Marinae knew that she was going to miss it when she traveled to the wilder parts of Darkon. Marinae put away the red silk dress and wore exotic but conservative clothes while she traveled to avoid calling too much attention to herself. Once on the ship a few of the sailors recognized Marinae from seeing her with Aselid, and when word got out who she was she didn't have any trouble with the men on board. But Marinae kept a dagger prominently on her belt all the same.

A few days later Marinae was in Ludendorf. There she transferred to another ship that took her to Martira Bay. Anxiously she stood on the deck and watched the horizon to see the shores of Darkon as soon as they appeared. With mixed emotions she spied land and wondered if she was doing the right thing. The ship pulled into port and the crew unloaded Maelstrom. Soon the road stretched out before Marinae once more.

"There's a good chance I'll be imprisoned for coming back.", Marinae thought to her cat.

"I'll slip through the bars and steal the keys for you.", Rambis replied.

Marinae simply smiled and tried not to think of the things she'd heard about dungeons, especially the mage-traps.

It was mid-morning and Marinae was anxious to get on the road. She could make it to Despontia by nightfall if she hurried. Despontia was only a few miles from Il Aluk, but there was nowhere else to stay and so Marinae hurried. She saw a couple of groups passing by her on their way to Martira Bay. Nervously she watched them and was relieved to find that all of the travelers were alive.

"That's a plus, as Damon might say.", she thought to herself as she remembered the last time she had come through the area and the unpleasantness that followed.

When she got into town Marinae saw that the windows and doors had all been locked tightly and were boarded up. The owner of the inn was just about to close down her place for the night when Marinae arrived.

"You're just in time.", the woman said. "Five more minutes and you'd have had to sleep in the woods."

"It would not be the first time.", Marinae replied. "Although the environment tended to be more pleasant."

"It's not safe to be outside around here.", the woman said darkly. "Come on in, I'll tend to your horse."

Marinae thanked the woman and went inside. The dining room was empty as were the seats at the bar. After a few minutes the woman came back in and asked her if she'd like something to eat or drink. Marinae accepted but only had a single ale to quench her thirst. The woman seemed to be doing everything at the inn: cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the stables. Marinae saw no one else around.

"Is there no one else here?", Marinae asked.

"Amman, my husband, has already turned in for tonight.", the woman replied.

"Ah. May I help you with cleaning up, then?", Marinae said, feeling sorry for her. "I'm afraid I cannot sit idle while there is work to be done."

"Thanks. I could use a hand.", the woman said with a smile. "My name is Jasmine."

"I'm Marinae.", the sorceress answered.

They made small talk and Marinae learned that six years ago Il Aluk used to be a great city. But then there came something that Jasmine called "The Requiem". Everyone inside in the city fell dead all at once. No one knew how or why. Ever since then most of the residents of Despontia, and the other small towns near Il Aluk, had either left town or disappeared.

"I guess that we should leave too, but travelers need a place to stay.", Jasmine said as she finished the last of the dishes.

"I heard rumors about Il Aluk.", Marinae said, remembering the tall stories about the "City of the Dead". "I am from Neblus."

"Ah, Neblus. I should have guessed.", Jasmine said, noting the young woman's elven features. "Going east?"

"Yes.", Marinae replied. "Visiting family, mostly. I have been away for a while."

"When you see a well worn trail leading away from the main road outside of town, follow it. It will guide you around Il Aluk safely.", Jasmine advised her.

Then Jasmine handed her a key. "Room number one, up the stairs and to your right.", she said.

Marinae gave her a grateful smile. "My thanks.", she said.

Tired from the road and grateful to be in a bed that wasn't swaying back and forth, Marinae fell asleep quickly. But in the middle of the night she was awakened by a loud banging on the outside door of the Inn. It sounded like someone was trying to get in. Remembering that the innkeeper and her husband were probably the only other people in the inn, Marinae made her way downstairs to see who was at the door.

The banging grew louder. But it wasn't like someone knocking, it was a solid thumping, steady, like someone was pounding on the door and trying to knock it down. Marinae wondered if she should go back to her room to get her crossbow, then decided that she might not have the time. The banging continued, relentlessly, but the door held. Marinae didn't dare open it. Instead she stood on the other side, ready to cast her magic arrow spell if the door gave way. Then Marinae heard banging on other doors out in the street. Nervously she waited, and after a while the banging stopped and moved on down the street. Marinae waited until her heart rate got back to normal and then went back to bed.

Morning came and Marinae met both Jasmine and Amman downstairs. They served up breakfast for her and asked her if she slept well.

"Aside from a few minutes of something banging on the doors...", Marinae began.

"The dead.", Amman said coldly. Jasmine tried to give Marinae a smile but came up short.

"I thought as much.", Marinae said, trying to match the pair's casual attitude. "I made certain the door would hold, but I did not open it."

"Good for you child.", Jasmine said.

"Will you be safe here?", Marinae asked, wondering if the same thing happened every night and concluding that it probably did.

"Yes.", Jasmine said. "They can't get through the doors."

Amman began to say something but stopped himself. Marinae looked at him.

"Yes?", Marinae said, prompting the man to speak his mind.

"More come every night.", Amman said quietly.

"But if we leave we have nothing.", Jasmine said back to him.

Amman said nothing more. Marinae got the feeling that the two had had this conversation before.

"You will have your lives.", Marinae pointed out.

Amman looked back at Jasmine.

"Azalin will save us.", Jasmine said as she turned away. Amman silently disagreed.

Marinae decided to keep her own counsel on Azalin's abilities. Aselid had implied that Azalin was weakening.

Marinae took to the road once again, noting a large number of fresh footprints down the street in the center of Despontia. Shaking her head she moved on, prompting Maelstrom to walk quickly so that she could get this part of Darkon behind her as soon as possible. Just outside of town she found the trail that Jasmine had told her about and followed it around both Il Aluk and the marshes of Lake Stagnus. Before nightfall she arrived in Viaki, a town that she had passed through a year ago when she was exiled from Neblus. Marinae remembered the market square. It looked the same as it did when she had stopped in to buy proper riding gear.

"I still have leggings from here!", Marinae thought. "Well, after a fashion, they're a bit worn, bloody, horsy, and wolf-bitten. And  I think I peed in them when that brute was choking me.

"Not that an elf would admit such a thing.", Marinae added. Then she had an interesting thought. "I could set up my inn here. I wonder how far the border of my exile extends."

After two more days of traveling Marinae found herself outside of Neblus, the home that was no longer her home.

"Well. Here we are, Rambis.", Marinae said. Rambis crawled out from underneath Marinae's robes to see Neblus for the first time.

"You lived here?", Rambis thought to her disapprovingly, looking at the gray skies and boring scenery. "It's so, dreary."

"You don't know the half of it.", Marinae replied.

"Just remember, you wanted to come back.", Rambis replied.

"No, I had to come back.", Marinae corrected him. "There is a distinction."

Rambis' stomach grumbled. "Do they have good sausages here?", the cat asked.

"Elves aren't exactly known for sausages.", Marinae replied. "But there are humans living here too, so I don't think you will have a problem finding sausages."

"Well then, let's go on the hunt.", Rambis said licking his lips.

"However, stay away from the market district.", Marinae advised, having fun with her familiar. "You may end up as sausage yourself."

"They wouldn't.", Rambis said, startled.

"There are some settlers from the Far East who are rumored to breed cats and dogs as food.", Marinae teased. "Like I said, be wary."

Rambis crawled deep inside Marinae's robes. "Don't say things like that.", he moaned.

"I don't mean to frighten you needlessly, kitten.", Marinae said, scratching Rambis' head apologetically. "Let us be about it."

Marinae took a deep breath and presented herself at the gates. The guard asked her name and where she was from. Marinae had already decided to use an assumed name for the time being. She had planned everything out while aboard the ship.

"I am Kaeliegh, late of Port-a-Lucine.", Marinae answered.

"Good thing that it's one of my middle names.", Marinae thought. "So I'm not lying, and it shouldn't set off a truth-spell."

"State your business.", the elven guard said sternly.

Marinae met his eyes calmly, she didn't recognize him and he didn't recognize her.

"I am here to copy some documents for my master, Aselid.", Marinae replied. "I shall be visiting the library."

The guard looked Marinae over and nodded to another guard. The gate opened. Marinae had returned home.

Marinae looked about her as she walked along. She had a lump in her throat, naked fear in her stomach, and a full bladder that needed to be emptied.

"Stop it, girl.", Marinae silently admonished herself. "You're calm, cool, collected."

She made her way to the Library, making sure that if anyone was following her that she would be doing what she was supposed to be doing. Then she ducked into the restroom to relieve herself and change into her red dress. This time she wore a cape to appear more formal and less provocative. It was getting near dusk when she emerged, but in Neblus the city never slept.

"I might as well get this over with, and the evening audience is as good a time as any.", Marinae thought to herself, trying to build up her courage.

At the palace an official asked Marinae more questions: her name, her home, her business, and her reasons for the audience. Marinae answered them as honestly as possible: Kaeliegh, Port-a-Lucine, apprentice to Aselid, and that he had asked her to bear an important, urgent communiqué. The Palace official wanted to see the communiqué and so Marinae pulled it out of a scroll case she wore about her waist. Marinae had spent some time aboard the ship writing it up. It was a simple message, laying out the threat from 'enemies to the south'.

"It is under seal. Please be careful not to damage it.", Marinae said.

"I need to read it.", the palace official explained.

Marinae handed him the scroll with a wax seal bearing Aselid's imprint, which was actually just an old ring of his that he she had liked and which he had given to her.

"Have you heard of Master Aselid, the Conjurer?", Marinae asked hopefully.

The man shook his read and opened up the scroll. He looked it over, scoffed, and handed it back to Marinae.

"It's a slow night.", the official replied. "And Baron Vyssulte could use some entertainment."

Marinae recited her calming cantrip to keep from bridling at the man's tone. "For a lowly servant to speak so to one of her rank!", she hissed to herself. "The nerve!"

But she remembered that she was in disguise and no longer had her rank, so instead Marinae was polite. "You are too kind.", she said and gave him a proper curtsey.

Marinae walked through the massive palace doors which were a full twenty feet high and made out of solid stone. She had been inside the palace before, but never as a speaker. She wondered if her mother would be there. Her mother spent a lot of time in the palace. As Marinae entered she saw that there was only one other person ahead of her and that he was speaking to the Baron. She was the next to speak!

Marinae calmed herself. She hoped that she would be allowed to speak. She felt that surely the Baron would recognize her. Discreetly Marinae looked around Court for people whom she knew. Sure enough there they were, her mother and her grandmother, both sitting together like proper Court ladies, attentively watching and supporting their Baron.

"Oh, shit. The entire planet is here.", Marinae thought to herself and almost panicked. "Good thing I left my weapons with Maelstrom."

Then she had a darker thought. "I hope he'll be well cared for when they lock me up.", Marinae thought to herself. "Still, I wish I had a knife."

The Baron gave his judgment to the man before him who thanked him courteously. Then the man turned and walked out quickly, not letting on how he felt about the Baron's decision.

Marinae remembered her last appearance in Court. She had worn dresses for most of her time in Court, but on the last day, when she was coming of age and was being given the "choice" of religious service or courtly service, she showed up in riding leather with her staff and knives. She'd made her choice and she stood by it. Exile it was.

Marinae took a deep breath and waited to be announced. The court bailiff called out Marinae's assumed name and home city. Then the Baron gave Marinae permission to approach. Marinae froze for what felt like a year. There was ice in her veins. Then the performance was on. She switched back into Courtly manners and stepped forward properly, stopping a measured distance from the dais, and performing a full court bow. Then she held the bow, remembering the interminable lessons on bearing and etiquette even though it galled her to grovel before anyone.

"You may rise Kaeliegh.", the Baron said graciously.

"Now I remember why I left.", Marinae thought. "Stuffy bastard."

Marinae rose and folded her hands before her, holding the communiqué gently. "My lord, I bring word from Master Aselid of Port-a-Lucine, my mentor.", Marinae began.

Marinae's mother perked up her ears. She recognized the voice, as did her grandmother. The Baron didn't recognize Marinae at all, which kind of irritated her.

"And what does Master Aselid have to say to this court?", the Baron asked.

"He sends a warning to the good people of Darkon that the evil Lord Drakov seeks a means with which to attack.", Marinae explained.

Marinae could see her relatives from the corner of her eye, but she ignored them for the moment.

"And what are Master Aselid's reasons?", the Baron asked, not looking too concerned.

"My Lord, are you familiar with the Hands of Balican?", Marinae said, hoping that the Baron had had some sort of education in magic.

"I'm afraid that you have me at a disadvantage.", Baron Carthan Vyssulte replied.

"He who holds the Hands holds the power of life and death.", Marinae announced boldly. "One hand can kill with the slightest touch; the other, bring life where Death has trod. Aselid believes that Drakov may soon gain possession of the Hands."

"Yes, yes, we have heard it all before. But Drakov attacks every year and every year he is turned back.", the Baron explained. "We have no fear of Falkovnia."

As Marinae's mother recognized her daughter's voice her face began to turn bright red. Out of the corner of her eye Marinae noticed her mother's consternation and secretly delighted in it.

"Indeed, my Lord, Drakov is known across many realms for his folly in attacking Darkon.", Marinae said politely. "However, I have seen the Hands and I come bringing this warning, my Lord, at great personal risk."

"Azalin will protect us. He always has.", the Baron said almost automatically. "This court chooses to dismiss Aselid's warning."

Marinae prepared herself for her big moment. She hoped that something good would come of it but her hopes seemed so foolish and naïve now. The Baron didn't seemed fazed by her warning at all.

"Some of you now gathered here know me.", Marinae said kneeling once more. "I freely violate my exile to bring you word of Drakov's treachery, and offer myself for judgment."

Then the Baron looked closer at Marinae and was about to speak again.

"Stay humble.", Marinae told herself. "It's all you've got to protect yourself with."

"But the girl is right, Vyssulte.", a voice called out from across the court.

Marinae wondered who was speaking, but dared not move. Shouting in Court was a rude and unpardonable offense, but the owner of the voice was none other than Shana Phlame, a high ranking official of the Kargat, the feared secret police of King Azalin.

"As Damon would say...holy shit!", Marinae thought to herself as she realized that Shana would be the only one who would, and could, dare speak in such a manner to the Baron.

"You people truly amaze me. Sitting here all prim and proper while your brothers and sisters languish in slavery in Falkovnia.", the elven woman called out. "Do you feel nothing for them?"

Marinae was amazed at the outburst. "This is unheard of!", she thought to herself. "Even I never pulled something like this. I like her."

"And when Drakov's soldiers storm across the border year after year, do you fear nothing because you are so far from the battle?", Shana added. "Neblus never has to feel the sting of the sword."

"If she saves my ass, I'll really like her.", Marinae thought.

"We do our part.", the Baron calmly replied, but he was growing angry at the outburst. "We send our commitment of young men to serve."

Marinae was holding her bow politely and now her knees were beginning to hurt.

"And that is all that you send. You do only what is asked of you and no more.", Shana admonished the Baron. "The Viaki send twice as many as is asked of them, as do the Kargans. But you sit here in your ivory tower and pretend that Falkovnia is a world away."

Marinae slowly turned her eyes to glance at her mother and grandmother. She saw that her mother's face was red, bright red. The woman was angry, embarrassed, and a number of other emotions all at the same time. She looked like she was ready to explode. Her grandmother, on the other hand, was loving what was happening and was smiling brightly. She winked at Marinae as the two made eye contact.

Marinae bit her lower lip and wished that something would happen, one way or another. "Talk, talk, talk.", she mused. "How do they stand sitting in here, doing nothing, while there's an entire world out there?"

"Diplomacy, bah! Gimme a knife.", Marinae thought. "Gimme a knife, I'll poke you in the foot, sir Baron.", she added. "My dress is getting wrinkled, you old windbag."

The Baron was bristling at the accusations. "What would you have me do then?", the Baron said, almost shouting. "Go to King Azalin himself and put my entire vassal at his disposal?"

"No.", Shana said calmly. "The girl shall go, in your place."

A collective gasp went through the court followed by a lot of murmuring. The Baron seemed to be about to blow up, but he kept his cool. He looked at Marinae and waved his hand at her to rise. Marinae stood up gingerly, keeping her hands together to stop them trembling.

"You may go.", the Baron said to Marinae, almost through clenched teeth.

Marinae glanced at her mother who was about to boil over, but the woman couldn't bring herself to make a scene in court. Marinae caught her breath and bowed shakily before leaving the room, remembering all the proper etiquette, of course. On her way out she passed by Shana, who joined her. Shana was a dark haired elven woman, well over a hundred years old, with a stern but soft face.

Marinae said nothing until they were both outside, then erupted. "Th-thank you. Gods, I think I need a drink.", Marinae gasped. "I don't think I've even realized yet just how afraid I was in there."

"Your drinks are on me.", Shana said with a big smile, and led Marinae towards the fanciest tavern in town.