Avandor's Gift

“You lied. You said that they were all dead.” I said to Tarrus.

“They are, but not quite. Sleep is very much akin to death and they are in a state much closer to death than sleep. I would have explained all of that, but we were pressed for time and it was much easier to claim them to be dead than otherwise.”

We were in the infirmary back in Indué. I looked at the immobile faces of Sonis and his men. I stooped lower and studied Sonis’ face closer. “Are you sure he is not dead?” I couldn’t see any sign of life emanating from his restful visage.

“He is not dead. I choose my lies carefully. If overused I might be deemed untrustworthy.” He said flatly.

“Avandor knows we wouldn’t want that. You being untrustworthy that is.” I said sarcastically.

“He doesn’t,” he said seeming to completely miss my insult.

Since our return from the citadel I have been having a strange sensation of voices talking in my head. The voices and speakers varied, alternating between my language and that of the changeling. The voices spoke but I always answered back, except that I wasn’t the one answering. It was quite disconcerting, the buzzing... At times it is a quiet hum that I could occasionally ignore, but at other times like now, the conversations moved to the forefront of my mind, blotting out all other thoughts. I tried to ignore them, but I found out the best way to mute them was to listen.

“Many changelings have wandered into Agden but only one has ever returned.”

“The first Grey Mage Sulna, the staff bringer.” I said.

“Sulna and Sulna alone has ever made it into Agden and out of it.”

“It seems Sulna will have company soon enough.” I said.

“You do not know what you are saying.” said the other.

“Who the hell is Sulna?” I muttered and shook my head as the voices faded.

“What was that?” asked Tarrus, who had for a couple seconds faded from my consciousness.

“How long before they come back around?” I asked and stood up to face him.

“It will be several hours still.” He suddenly looked towards the door and a grim line formed on his lips. “You have a visitor waiting in the upper room.” He said taking a seat by the bedside and unravelling a scroll.

I was about to ask how he knew that, but I would get no answer. “They won’t be the only intruders today.” I said still disconcerted. “I will see you later then?” he inclined his head and then I moved to the door.

I saw an anxious-looking page running towards me. “Your Majesty there is...”

“I have a visitor I know. Carry on.” I said fanning him away. The poor man looked crestfallen as he was sure that he was the first bearer of the news.

I walked into the room to find it filled with five women. Four were wearing white dresses with full veils and they crowded around the fifth who was fully decked in black. The little circle broke and all five women turned towards me. From here I could see the golden hilts of daggers that hung from their waists.

“Evander of Calabar at your service as it seems I was summoned.” I bowed slightly.

“Do your men think us weak that they allow an audience with the king to be armed?” said the one in black in a thick accent.

“Women of your country were never known for ferocity but for their more docile natures.” I replied to the creature in front of me.

“That is true for the masses, but my family was well elevated above the rabble.”

“You must be a noble I take it?” I said climbing up the dais and sat on the throne.

“I am the only one of my father’s blood. You killed my father and brother.”

“Do you go by any other name? As you pointed out, we are equals and all formality between us should be dropped.”

“I am Garima.” She said after a short pause. “But princess is as casual as I will be towards you.”

“Garima,” I said rolling the letters of her name around my mouth. “I am sorry for your loss, but such is the price of war. Your father thought he was choosing the winning side when he betrayed us. He and your brother got their just reward.” Bastian especially. I prickled slightly as I thought of what he did to Noräin, but I was slightly assuaged as I remembered that he was dead. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“I want you to unhand my country or suffer the consequences.” I was impressed by her bravado.

“Bold demands for one who hides behind a veil. I admire your... tenacity Garima.” I said folding my arms across my chest.

She flung her veil aside revealing a face evenly toned and stern. Though her features were more delicate, she had the worst of her father’s features so much so, that I was being extremely kind when I described her as plain.

“And if I did acquiesce to your demand, to whom would I be giving Rá Leat?”

“I am the only one left of my line.”

“But you are female, not even a beautiful one. Beauty inspires loyalty in some men—but I digress. If I did give you Rá Leat that would be against the customs of your country. The men would never stand to be ruled by you.”

She swallowed the comment better than I expected as her face didn’t betray her feelings. I noted that one of the women in white however started forward, she was however held back by Garima. Interesting. “Better me than an outsider. They wouldn’t dare depose me especially if I had your backing.”

I couldn’t help myself but I had to laugh at the brashness of this woman. “And why would I do that?” I said more seriously.

“Because I have something that will interest you.”

“First a threat now a trade, I am intrigued so I will allow you to continue.”

She came closer and sat at my feet. “How does your brother fare these days?”

“My brothers are dead as is general knowledge, one was killed by Gareth and Gareth by the ... cloud.” I said. I sensed where this conversation was headed and I didn’t like it.

She looked me square in the eyes. “There is talk about a certain bloodwolf seen passing through Rá Leat just a couple weeks ago and from what I gathered there is no news of it returning.”

“Was it black with white spots? Grey with brown ears? As nothing interests me more than the movement of random wolves over the continent.” I said.

“She was grey, all grey.” She shrugged.

“I was being sarcastic, but I guess you missed that princess.”

“You are deflecting Your Majesty, which further confirms what I know to be true.”

“And the truth would be?” I said leaning forward.

She sidled closer until we were eye level. Bold. Very bold. “The likeness between you and your brother are quite stunning Gareth.” she whispered. “It is hard to tell, but the truth is apparent to those who look hard enough and I might just be persuaded to clear up any inconsistencies.

“I can imagine the unrest it would cause as your people wrestled with themselves as they pondered upon the disappearance of their king and the reappearance of his dead brother.”

“Your riddles are quite amusing, but my people know that I am who I say I am and that is the king of Gé Addar.” I said as steadily.

“And how long that illusion lasts rest entirely in your hands,” she said bowing slightly and then got up. “I have proof to support my claim and I shall not be afraid to use it. You have seven days to set my country free or watch the peace your brother worked so hard to achieve melt into chaos. I am anticipating a favourable response, Gareth.” She replaced the veil and walked out of the room. Her female servants close at hand.

The throne room doors opened and in walked Tarrus. “I seemed to have missed your visitor.” He said.

“Yes Garima or rather someone pretending to be Garima.”

“Rammon’s spawn, what brought her to this side of the continent?”

“Evander did and she wants her country back.”

“So, are you going to give it to her?”

“Not a chance.” I said.

“Who is Sulna?” he asked.

He heard me, of course he did, replacing one source of irritation with another. “I have no idea but I suppose you do?”

He paced around the room a little, stopping occasionally to stare at me for brief moments before resuming his pacing.

“Well?” I asked growing a bit more irritated by my ignorance.

“I have a theory.” He said stopping abruptly and looked out the window. He seemed to forget that I was in the same room.

“And it is....?” I pressed.

“It is just a theory for now.” He said sharply turning towards me. “Come.” He said without waiting for me headed towards the exit.

I looked after him and sighed and of course I followed.