Chapter 04

 

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Laelia rushed through the halls, adroitly avoiding various obstacles in her path, then finally she burst outside. She paused for a second to tidy herself up to look the lady, rather than a madcap girl. The Temple carriage was still waiting, so she lifted her skirt decorously and descended.She approached the waiting carriage and stammered out. “Oh my apologies! You see, rogue daevas attacked, and then I had to help deliver a baby, which brings me to my next request. I would like one of the younger priestesses to come and nurse a lady through her recovery from childbirth. I would, but Grandmother prefers for me to stay with the Court.”

“Certainly, milady, and to ease your fears, somebody told me that you were coming out, and I came back out front. I was waiting for you in the stables for sometimes Court takes a while and you’re not allowed to leave until the Empress gives her leave. I’ll deliver your message, and will you be needing your luggage?”

“Thank you, but I can fetch it myself. And I appreciate your waiting for me and thank you for the delivery of my message.” Laelia smiled blindingly as the driver tipped his hat and shook the reins, making the dozing horse wake up and move down the curving driveway in front of the Imperial Palace.

Laelia turned and made her way up the stairs, deep in thought. She almost ran into Graeme, and would have fallen if he hadn’t grabbed her arms to steady her.

“Whoa there! Where you goin’ in such a hurry?”

“Oh, hello Graeme. I didn’t see you there. My apologies.” She skirted past him and went through the hastily opened double doors.

“Hey did I offend you? I’m sorry.”" He chased her down, and touched her elbow.

“It’s not you. I need to report back to Grandmother and I burned through a lot of energy today, what with the Daeva attack and delivering Lady Neva’s baby. I’m…” she started crumpling towards the floor and Graeme dived to catch her. Hoisting her limp body into his arms, he stood up and carried her to the sitting room where he knew Messalina would be at. He stared at the slow to react footman at the door who quickly moved to open it.

“What in the world!”
“What happened!”
“Laelia!”

babble of voices greeted Graeme as he carried his burden in, with one voice overriding the rest of the babble.

“Lay her down on the settee and raise her legs up. What happened, Prince Graeme?” The Empress made her way over, leaning on an gold chased ebony cane.

“She said she burned herself out today, what with the Daeva attack and delivering Lady Neva’s baby. That’s all she told me, ma’am, before she fainted.

“She was fine when I saw her rush out of Neva’s room after the delivery to tell the Temple driver a message to the Temple and worrying that he’s sat outside all this time.” Messalina said form where she sat next to Laelia’s prone figure.

“I see. We’ll get the specifics when Laelia wakes and see if she is prone to this. or if its merely a drawback to being a Priestess of her stature.”

Laelia’s eyes fluttered and she groaned softly. “How did I get here?”

“You fainted and I caught you before you went tumbling down the steps.” Graeme said, kneeling next to the settee.

“Well, thank you. I’ve never fainted before, but today has been out of the ordinary. Oh , Grandmother that reminds me, did Messalina speak to you about Lady Neva?” Laelia pushed herself up on her elbows and Messalina stuffed a cushion behind her back.

“No. Who is Lady Neva? I thought you went to deliver a maid of her baby, not a noblewoman.”

“See, her husband was a younger son of the Flavian Clan, but he died working in one of the family businesses, leaving Neva pregnant and alone. Lady Flavia thought Neva wasn’t worthy of her husband as they had trouble having babies. Well Lady Flavia found out Neva was expecting and oh so graciously invited her to stay until the baby was born and if it was a girl, she would be allowed back into the fold, and well if she had a boy, Neva would be out and in debt to her eyeballs. She came to the Palace to ask for Sanctuary, and Flatilia, the assistant head housekeeper made her be a maid, rather than allow Neva to speak to you.”

Cornelia collapsed in a flurry of black bombazine skirts into the nearest chair. “Oh good Lady. Flavia will flip and it will be a nightmare. Does Neva not have a clan to help her?”

“I think she is from a cadet branch of the clan and lived in more modest circumstances. She was training to be a Light Priestess when she met her husband, and I gathered her family wouldn’t have been able to help.”

“Why didn’t she go to the Temple?”

“I think they don’t exactly advertise the availability of sanctuary and when Neva was tossed out of the clan, her friends didn’t stick around.”

“Shameful. Is the lack of general knowledge of the availability of sanctuary so that brides, shocked at actually having to deal with a husband as an equal don’t flood the Temple?”

“I hope so. Otherwise the alternative is too much to contemplate.”

“Changing the subject, are you prone to fainting? Or was it related to the Daeva attack?”

“The Daeva attack, all the spell work I was doing and the delivery. I used some Dark magic and it takes a bite out of me whenever I use it, since I’m not anchored to a compatible male.” Laelia blushed at the last bit, conscious of the men in the room.

“Interesting. I don’t know exactly how that works but you can explain that to me later in private.” Cornelia said, rising up and walking up to the settee. Laelia nodded and her grandmother continued. “I’ve already called my lawyers in to unlock you trust fund, so you’ll have funds for refurbishing your wardrobe as well as for any other items you may want or need.”

“I’m afraid it will be a complete wardrobe. I only have my uniforms and my formal robes.”

“The dressmakers will be rich this season, what with Antonia debuting, Marcus getting married this summer and now your claiming your rightful place.”

“Well one must do what one can to help those less fortunate. Wait, rightful place? What exactly would that be?” Laelia enquired anxiously.

“Why Crown Princess. Your mother was Crown Princess and she left her title and fortune to you. Cerelia gave up her right when she went to Aubine to be the Oracle, Messalina married a ruling royal and Marcus Aurelius only has boys, leaving you then Emilia, Messalina’s daughter then Charlotte. I didn’t name an official replacement since I knew that you weren’t dead.”

Laelia leaped up in dismay. “I can’t be Crown Princess! Firstly, I am Priestess-Palatine of Aubine. It would cause so many diplomatic headaches, with other countries accusing me of trying to co-opt Aubine’s power to suit Boratia. Secondly, I have obligations to the Lord and Lady; one-I was sent here to clean up the rogues infesting the city in time for your Jubilee, and two, I owe at least ten more years of service to Venetia and Himalis. And lastly, I have had no training in how to be a princess. I only know how to be a priestess and how to run Aubine, not how to be a lady of fashion and rule a much larger population. And not to mention, I can’t marry just for dynastic reasons. I have to choose a minister magi to anchor my Dark magic, to lessen the likelihood of burning myself out.”

Laelia paused in her pacing in front of the fireplace and turned to face her grandmother. ignoring the bloodstains and other traces of her work. Antonia leaned forward.

“Um, Laelia? You might want to change. You’ve blood on your dress. And we dress for dinner” She pointed out.

Laelia looked down. “Oh, I’ve worn worse things on my clothes, ” she said, waving her hand at the spots which promptly vanished, then checking the rear of her dress. “Last year, a newly graduated Dark Priestess was eager to show her skills to some of her suitors and well, caused a really big mess. Himalis was in a foul mood for weeks!”

The ladies blanched, imagining the type of mess that could be worse than blood.

“I have a proposal, Laelia. You will take ‘princess lessons’ while you are here, in addition to your priestess duties and after the Jubilee, you will escort me to Aubine where I’ll discuss the terms of your contract with the Lord and Lady.” Cornelia decreed

“I have to serve at least sixteen years as a priestess, two years for every year of training as well as assist with training apprentices and journey-priestesses, Grandmother. That part is not negotiable.”

“Agreed. Now how about a choice of suitable marriage prospects?” Cornelia asked.

Laelia parried back, with “How about a list of rules-like who not to choose, etc?”

“That is acceptable. Now tell me about your education?”

“Went to Queen Elizabeth College in Zenobia at fourteen, graduated at eighteen with highest honors and have been managing Aubine since then.”

“College in Zenobia, impressive and at fourteen, as well? Excellent.”

“So we have an agreement, then Grandmother? I’ll take lessons but if either Venetia or Himalis say no, then I won’t be Crown Princess.”

“Done and done!”

“Wait, did we just haggle?” Laelia covered her mouth and burst into laughter.

“I should haggle sometimes with those boring diplomats from the backside of nowhere.”

“I’ve been rather lucky, and only see those who pass through the gauntlet of all my assistants. The really brave ones are those who pass Damien’s questions.”

“Who is Damien?”

“My second in command. He’s a Brother of Truth and worships Himalis as the God of Death. Full of black humor and as sweet as sugar.”

“So he’s running Aubine in your absence?”

“Oh yes, him and Octavia, my third in command. The two of them are very well-trained and they can handle anything.” Laelia glanced at the clock and paled. “With all respect Grandmother, I need to do a patrol before I go to bed. And speaking of bed, since I’m assuming you want me to stay in the palace, where is my room?”

“Is it getting that late? We’ve not had dinner yet?”

“We were waiting for you and Laelia to quit haggling, Grandmother. Supper has been waiting for the last half hour.”

“Well I hope it isn’t ruined.” Cornelia rose and swept out the door, with the rest trailing decorously behind, following her to the dining room.

Laelia followed a bit farther behind and as the rest of her new-found family turned a corner, she quickly transmuted her Light priestess outfit for a short silk robe over her semi-formal uniform. Another quick spell and her hair was braided with silver satin ribbons twining through the braid. Shortly afterwards, the whole family arrived to the dining room, guarded by a rather stiff looking butler and his under butler, both in black suits. A bow, and Laelia was whisked into the grand dining room, with coved ceilings and a massive ebony table with gilded accents and a white cloth, set with a confusing multitude of silverware, china and crystal. Candles in silver holders alternated with fresh-cut roses down the center of the table. All of the adult children and their spouses, and the adult grandchildren all sat in their assigned places, with Laelia exchanging with Robert to suit Cornelia.

As soon as everybody had sat down, the well-trained footmen sprang into action, bringing in the first wave of food.

Laelia followed Cornelia’s lead in what fork or spoon to choose and slowly her etiquette lessons, given during college and hardly used since, rose into her consciousness and guided her hand.

“Do you have any restrictions on the type or color of civilian clothing you may have, Laelia?” enquired Messalina, sitting across from Laelia.

“The Lady says modest, the Lord says knock them dead and I am only to have white, shades of gray, black and blue for my colors as a Shadow Priestess. At least that is what I remember being told in training when the subject of civilian clothes came up. And no makeup or gaudy jewelry, though I think the Lady will make exceptions for jewelry, if a priestess is noble or from a royal family and she is expected at family functions in civilian clothes and family jewels.”

“So you have no clothes suitable for shopping?”

“Unless you want me to go in my uniform and really drive the dressmakers up the wall, then I’ll have to say no.”

Conversation lapsed into small talk after that with anecdotes about children and grandchildren flowing up and down the table until dessert was cleared and Cornelia signalled for the women to withdraw to the drawing room, leaving the men to their port and cigars.

Once in the drawing room, Laelia spoke. “Apologies, grandmother, but I have to go out on patrol tonight. I shan’t be long, but no need to wait up for me.” Laelia flashed into her Night Sister uniform, with her hair still braided, but without the silver ribbons.

“Very well. I’ll have a maid keep a lamp on in your bedroom, Laelia. And be careful. We’ve only begun to get acquainted.” Cornelia nodded and Laelia stepped into the shadow halls to begin her patrol.

She stood on a roof ridge line, silhouetted against the moon. One word had twelve creatures appear around her, silver bond-collars gleaming in the pale moonlight. They disperse with a second word and she leaps from roof to roof, keeping to the shadows and alleyways of the sprawling, never sleeping city. She surprised a few rogue Daevas, holed up in a makeshift headquarters, and with a flurry of swings, dispatched the creatures to the afterlife. A quick reconnaissance and she was done with patrol for the night. She called back her bond-Daevas, and departed for the Palace.

Laelia dimension-shifted once more and entered the Palace quietly. By this time, it was dark and silent, so she went hunting for the lit room. She narrowed down the possibilities by looking for the aura of her sister and zeroing in to the correct hallway.

A few mutterings later, she had found the slightly opened door with golden light spilling underneath, and pushed it open. She stopped stock still in shock just inside the door and saw Graeme on the bed.

“I’m sorry,” she stammered, turning to leave. “I must have went into the wrong room.”

“No, it’s the right room. Her Majesty wanted you across from Messalina. I just wanted to speak to you before bedtime and all that.” Graeme stood up, stretching.

“Well?” Laelia prompted. “I’ve only had about three hours of sleep in the last day, since Aubine is seven hours ahead of Boratia, and I am burning energy to stay awake.”

“Oh. Well, its a bit of a long speech, so I’ll wait till you are more rested to ask.” he moved towards the door. Laelia stepped in front of him and barred his exit.

“You can give me the abbreviated speech, if you like. I didn’t mean to sound so snappish.”

“Well, you see, umm, well, I think you’re interested and I would like to court you.”" he finally said in a rush, blushing.

Laelia blinked. “Well, that sounds really nice. I’ve never been courted, so I don’t know the rules or anything, but I do know that I can do a pactio or a probationary contract with a suitor to see how compatible they are and get to know them better. The permanent contract is done with mutual consent and after a ceremony witnessed by the Lord and Lady. But it’ll be best if we do the pactio after I’ve had some rest, since it uses a lot of power from both of us.” Laelia moved past Graeme, and sat on the bed.

“So you wouldn’t mind? And pardon, but what exactly entails a pactio?” Graeme asked.

“A kiss and a spell cast. An object, usually a bracelet forms and both parties wear it for the duration. If the bracelet is removed for any reason with out another spell cast, the pactio is null and void.” Laelia said, slowly blinking.

“I’ll let you rest then and we’ll discuss this further when you’ve slept.” Graeme bowed and left the room, closing the door. Laelia slowly rose, and pulled the blankets down. She shucked down to a tank top and cotton drawers, washed her face and brushed her teeth in the adjoining bathroom and did a quick sponge bath before crawling under the soft cotton sheets. Within seconds she was fast asleep.

Chapter 03

 

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Laelia approached the double doors to the audience chamber, still muttering imprecations. The majordomo was back in his place, and directing the servants busily returning the palace to order. His stoic facade cracked a bit when he saw Laelia approach and he quickly bowed and opened the door personally.”The Empress is safe and sound, Your Highness.”

Laelia tossed a quick look of surprise at him, as she went inside the chamber. The Court had returned to their spots but were chattering animatedly, in contrast to the quiet murmurings of her first entrance. Laelia went to one knee in front of the Empress and bowed her head.

“Your Imperial Majesty, the attack has been successfully foiled, with all attackers eliminated. The palace is now secure.” Laelia reported, then stood, with her arms clasped behind her back.

“An impressive performance, my dear. So that explains why the Lord and Lady felt you were the best Shadow Priestess.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I have had the good fortune to be trained by the best teachers in Aubine.”

“Before I forget, Lady Bethania? Will you do the honors?” She turned towards a lady in dark green silk embroidered in gold who stepped forward at her Empress’s summons.

“Certainly, Your Majesty.” A deep breath then, “By Order of the Empress! The Court is dismissed.” The Court obeyed, bowing to the Empress as they left the chamber.

The Empress leaned forward and whispered into Lady Bethania’s ear.

“One moment: The Empress requests the presence of her family.” Lady Bethania left the chamber after her announcements, bowing as she left the room.

Laelia drew her blade, then knelt on both knees, and spoke, “With this blade, I pledge my name, my honor and my service to the Empire of Boratia.” She extended the sword, now softly glowing with a gray light to the Empress, who took it and spoke, touching Laelia on her bowed head.

“I accept your pledge, Laelia of the Shadow Order.”

Laelia stood up, and accepted her blade, sliding it back into its sheath. I apologize, Your Majesty, but I have a pressing duty to perform. I was told that one of the maids is in need of a midwife, and I have training and experience in that area.”

“It is not proper for an Imperial Princess to be a midwife to a servant.” Cornelia sniffed.

“Begging your pardon, Grandmother, but my oath to you does not supersede the oath I made to the Lord and Lady to serve the people of Elysia, be they royal or common.” Laelia sketched a bow, then turned on her heel. As she walked down the carpeted aisle, a shimmering light surrounded her body, the dispersed, leaving her wearing a white blouse tucked into a highwaisted skirt that flared out at the hem, just covering the tops of her white high buttoned heeled boots. A gray cape with black trim and lining that had flipped up with the speed of her departure and a white cap covering her hair completed her Light priestess uniform. She disappeared through the hastily opened doors leading to the rest of the Imperial Palace.

Messalina looked at her husband, who nodded , then quickly bowed to the Empress, still wearing a look of shock, then took off running after her sister. Holding her skirts up to almost her knees, she rushed through the hallways after Laelia, disappearing in the distance.

“Laelia, wait!” Messalina called, waving wildly. Laelia stopped, and half-turned. “I really need to quit sitting on my bottom so much. I could use some more exercise, especially if I have to go chasing after you. Though Robert would appreciate a bit less of me in our bed. Four babies in seven years takes a toll on one’s girlish figure,” she lightly complained. Her sister hastily covered a grin, yet a little bit of a snorting laugh escaped.

“I could show you some exercises to do, a little bit of self-defense, if Robert won’t mind. It wouldn’t be a bit of trouble, a bit painful for you, but not a whit of trouble for me.”

“Mean woman! To return to the subject at hand, would you care for some assistance? I’ve a bit of my own, and have helped with births at the castle.” Messalina turned businesslike.

“Extra hands are always welcome.”

“Good.”

The two sisters walked companionably together, catching up on twenty years of missed history as they navigated the twists and turns of the ancient palace, showing the various improvements and additions made to the building in the intervening years. After a few false turns, and some garbled directions by servants shocked to see members of the Imperial family invading the Lower Palace, Laelia and Messalina arrived in the servant quarters. A plain door in a drab hallway carpeted in serviceable carpet over peeling linoleum and painted an equally serviceable dark green, both colors chosen to help hide the traffic and dirt. A single sideways glance was exchanged between Laelia and Messalina, then they went inside.

The assistant head housekeeper, dressed in black with a large apron tied around her voluminous middle along with two other maids, also in black with white aprons and caps. The laboring mother to be was in bed. All four women gaped in awe as Messalina and Laelia entered the room.

“Greetings. I am Laelia, trained in midwifery by the Lady, and I offer my services.” Laelia sat on the edge of the bed and smiled down.

“I’m called Neva, milady. You was the one who ran off those Daevas?”

“Yes, Neva, I am. So, tell me, how far along are you and has your water broke?”

“I’m three weeks early, my water already broke and I’m having pains every twenty minutes.”

“Excellent.” Laelia stood up and turned to the assistant housekeeper. “I require plenty of fresh water, clean cloths, clothing and linens.” She said, turning businesslike.

“Yes, milady. Do you require the water t’ be boiling?” she enquired, pausing at the door.

“I’ll take care of the boiling, thanks.”

“Of course, milady.” She bobbed her head and left on her errands, along with the two maids.

“Now, Neva. How are you feeling? Well other than being in labor?”

“Do you think I could walk around a bit? I’m not used to being abed during the day.”

“Certainly, dear.” Laelia efficiently assisted the nightgown clad Neva out of bed. “Now, let me feel the belly. I need to find out some details.” She gently laid her hand on Neva’s belly and concentrated for a few seconds, glowing a soft white.

“Well, it seems the baby is ready and anxious to meet his mama. And you seem to be in good health so we shouldn’t have any trouble.”

“Him?” Neva asked, wonderingly.

“Yes a healthy little boy. When did your husband die, Neva?”

“A few weeks ago, milady. He was unloading a ship at the dock and got caught in a cargo net and was crushed. He would have been so happy to find out we’re having a healthy son. This is my third pregnancy, and the farthest I’ve gone. The first two ended really early and they were both beautiful little girls.”

“My sympathies, dear. One more personal question before we get down to the business of helping this baby come into the world, you left the Light order to marry?”

“How did you know? Oh yes, I forgot. Once trained, one can always sense another even of a different order.”

“Well then. I want some fresh air and light in this place. Being in such darkness! Its a wonder nobody’s come down with soft bones from a lack of sunshine and air.” She bustled about opening a window, for they may have been the Lower Palace, they were no means in the dungeons and basements. Light flooded in and Laelia popped her head out to see who if anybody would be startled by Neva’s birthing cries. Laelia still had her head out the window, while Messalina was helping Neva walk around when the assistant head housekeeper, a Mrs. Flatilia, accompanied by the two maids bearing cloths and a footman bearing a large kettle full of water.

“Milady! Will you be needing anything else?” She took one look at Laelia hanging out the window and squawked. “Tis enough of a scandal to have an Imperial Princess downstairs, but to advertise the fact! The Empress will be livid and extra picky for a week!”

Laelia slowly pulled her head in, and turned a level gaze on the indignant housekeeper, speaking in a cold tone

“First of all. I only answer to three people in this world, and I’m still getting used to answering to the third. Second. I am a sworn and trained Shadow Priestess of Aubine. I serve the Lord and Lady jointly and with no prejudice to those who need my assistance. And third. As you have stated so eloquently, I am an Imperial Princess. You are an assistant head housekeeper, and should be doing your job, not passing judgement on a member of the Imperial Family and a priestess to boot!” The housekeeper blanched then blushed then blanched again as she endured Laelia’s well deserved tirade.

“My humblest apologies, milady.” Mrs. Flatilia nodded stiffly and left the room, closing the door with a firm click.

“I’m awfully glad I didn’t have to worry about offending the servants’ sensibilities in Aubine. We only had a few, mostly to help with the laundry and cooking.” Laelia sighed.

“Would the Lady accept me back into her service, d’you think?” Neva asked

“I cannot speak for the Lady or the Lord, and all I can say is speak to them, and they’ll give you an answer. Of course you will be welcomed in Aubine if you feel you need sanctuary.”

“Laelia, if you are to take your place as Mother’s heir, which you are as I cannot inherit as I married a ruling male, and our elder sister is an Oracle, you’ll need a lady’s maid to help with dressing.” Messalina interjected.

“Milady, I would be honored to serve you. I remember as an apprentice helping the full fledged Sisters with their court robes and also helping with their hair. Mrs. Flatilia always thought I had allowed a male to leave me pregnant.” She laid a hand on her belly and panted a bit. “Oh that was a bit stronger.”

“Neva, love, can you hop up into bed and let me examine you? I need to check a few things I have to eyeball-your dilation and such.”

“Oh, certainly, milady.” The two sisters helped Neva into bed and she scooted down, to allow Laelia to quickly check the progress.

“You can call me by my first name, especially under these circumstances.” Laelia chided gently, replacing Neva’s nightgown, then wiping her hands on a clean towel.

“If you’re sure, mi-I mean Laelia.” Neva stuttered, blushing brightly, then she almost doubled over. “Ohh,” she groaned, panting a bit.

“Getting stronger, now. Let’s stay in bed, now, unless you feel like you could walk some more?” Laelia commented, looking at Neva. Messalina looked up, from where she was occupied in arranging the necessities: the cloths in one neat pile, the basket for the baby, with its first outfit from knitted hat to booties and a diaper lovingly arranged on top of the bedding. Towels were in their own pile, as were the clean linens for afterwards, as well as a fresh nightgown for Neva.

Laelia double-checked, then smacked her forehead. “I knew I was missing something!”

“What? What did you forget?” Messalina looked up from counting towels.

“Should I be worried?” asked Neva, worriedly.

“It is fine. I just forgot my bag of instruments and medicines. You might want some pain releif in a bit so you can be more comfortable.” soothed Laelia, concentrating a bit, then reaching intoseemingly thin air and pulling out her black delivery kit, then opening it and inspecting the contents. “I have everything we need and if we need hot water, well, then I can take care of that.” she said, snapping her fingers and making wispy flames appear.

“Dark magic?” Messalina asked.

“Yes, can’t use it too much or I’m wiped for a day, but I can pull enough power in case of an emergency.” Laelia said, plumping Neva’s pillows. “Now, Neva, do you need the bathroom or a drink of water?”

“I think I could definitely use a drink right now and the bathroom in a bit. It seems rather warm in here now that I’m under all these blankets.”

“Let me pull some of these off, then,” Messalina fussed, pulling all the coverings except for the top sheet down to the foot of the bed. “Is that better?”

“Much, thank you.” Neva twitched around a bit, then another pain hit. “pant-pant. Oooh, they’re getting close together. Anyways I have a question: I’ve always wondered what it was like in Caranthia. I read a lot of books while in training and went to the lending library after I married, and have always been interested in the place.”

“Oh, it’s a lovely place, lassie. Misty hills covered in purple flowers in spring, green grass in summer and carpeted with fall leaves in the fall. All the men wear kilts done in their clan plaids with shirts underneath and the women wear their plaids as shawls over their dresses. Not quite as urban as Boratia, and quite a bit more rough around the edges. Why, just last year, Robert had to put down a clan war. He made a fine sight, riding off, wearin’ his plaid and swinging his sword.”

“Sounds wonderful. Was it a big change when you married?”

Messalina sat down in a chair next to the bed, and folded her hands in her lap. “Well, to be truthful, yes. See, my mother and stepfather were killed while we were returning from Caranthia after doing the betrothal contracts, which originally allowed an engagement of two years when I turned eighteen so that I could get used to the quirks of the country I would help my husband rule, but well I and Laelia were left orphaned. Laelia was only six months old at the time, and I was told to find someplace safe for both Laelia and I, with Mother’s dying breath. So I asked for Sanctuary from the Lady and we were in Aubine, where I left Laelia to be raised in safety and I went to Caranthia to marry Robert, so I would be safe as well. Was a dreadful shock to this city girl. The castle was the largest in Caranthia, but it was barely bigger than the Imperial Summer Palace. The capital city was half the size as Boratia, and not as paved. And I was shocked, to tell you the truth to see all the bare skin on men! I blushed red for a week before the wedding.”

“So that explains why Laelia is a priestess instead of being a princes, well she’s both, but oh you know what I mean!” flailed Neva.”

“I’m still getting used to the princess part actually. Tell me, Messalina, sister to sister, I will have to go shopping in the morning, won’t I? Especially since I doubt my robes will stand up to constant wearing and neither can I. Five layers of silk is heavy and oh the bother of walking just so so the layers don’t slide off.”

“Oh yes. I’ll get one of the cousins to get you something to wear to the shops, and have the Court seamstress take it in if needed. The dressmakers, shoemakers, glove makers and milliners will all rejoice when they hear of the long lost Imperial Princess who needs a new wardrobe befitting her station. They already are celebrating Antonia’s debut and will be even happier with TWO Imperial Princesses to kit out.” Messalina smiled, patting Laelia’s hand. She flopped onto the bed dramatically holding her hand to her forehead.

“Oh goodness. I’m used to a few changes of clothing: the daily robes I wear, my formal robes, my Night Sister uniform, and my midwife uniform. I wouldn’t know the first thing about being a lady of fashion and managing all those clothes!”

“You could use Neva as your lady’s maid and the other lady’s maids in the palace can show her how to do the fashion things: hair, etc. That old biddy of a assistant housekeeper is going to make Neva do all the nasty stuff as payback for being told off by a Princess.”

“We’ll discuss this after Neva has had her baby. We shouldn’t try to run her life for her, Messalina.”

“I hate to interrupt, Laelia, but pant, pant, oh OW, I think the baby is definitely ready. I’ve gone a bit quicker this time, I think.”

“Excellent, now let’s get the finishing touches done and we’ll have ourselves a baby. Have you thought about names?”

“My husband was named Titus Silvanus Flavius, a younger son of the Flavian Clan. He was working at the Port for his family, but when he was, pant, pant, oh OW, killed when he was helping load a barge, his mother turned me out of the house, saying I was not allowed to come back. I started showing a week later and the bitch said we’ll take care of you till Titus’s daughter is born, then we’ll raise her in the Flavian clan. I came to the Palace instead, since I didn’t know if I could go to the The Lady’s Temple, since I had been married.”

“Oh goodness! Lady Flavia is a royal witch, and I’ve seen Grandmother at her worst. Grandmother despises the Flavians. She only allowed Lady Damia to appear at Court since she is a distant member of the Clan and not in good odor with Lady Flavia.”

“Neva, they would have given you sanctuary, love. But how were you to know, anyways. The option of Sanctuary is kept quiet, or else we would have a lot of unhappy brides filling up the Temple and expecting hand and foot service. It has been the custom to have a first marriage arranged, then once you’ve provided three daughters, then you can divorce your husband and marry for love. Mother had been widowed, but still caused a sensation when she married Frederick and added his name to hers.”

“I went to college in Zenobia, but never got any attention for my last name from the school or any of the students. Messalina love, I know its been twenty years since you saw me, but let’s concentrate on Lady Neva and we’ll catch-up later. I’m sure Grandmother would like to know what I’ve been up to while I was in Aubine.”

Chastened, Messalina bustled about, getting the necessities close to the bed, while Laelia poured water into a clean bowl, murmuring a spell under breath to warm it up so she could wash her hands, saving the rest for later.

“Messalina, I’ll need you to help Neva with her pushing, and get her water is she needs it. It is almost time for this wee one to see his momma.” She laid out a tray, covered in a clean white cloth, and laid out her tools then covered them with another clean cloth. The basket ready for its occupant was pushed close to the bed on the opposite side of Messalina.

“Speaking of Pushing, I think it’s time, Laelia.” Neva said, panting a bit from her contractions.

“Excellent.” Laelia went over to the water bowl, rolling her sleeves up and washing to the elbows in the hot, soapy water. Messalina flipped the hem of Neva’s night gown above her knees and helped Neva lay her bottom down on a oil cloth lined terry pad to protect the sheets. Laelia did a quick check then washed her hands again.

“The hurry up and wait is always so fun, isn’t it?”

“Oh yes. My youngest, Emilia, I had the quickest labor but then I had to hold her back so the midwife could make it up the stairs to the birthing room. Emilia was her last delivery, the poor dear. Robert gave her a comfortable pension and made sure her cottage was on the priority list of repairs. I insisted on it and I’m also paying a girl to help cook and clean out of my income.”

Neva started panting a bit harder and the women jumped into action. Messalina coached Neva into constructive pushing, while Laelia was ready to guide the little one into the world. Thirty minutes later, Neva gave a mighty push and his head came out and Laelia quickly cleaned out his mouth, then as Neva pushed one more time, Laelia guided his shoulders out and he slithered into her welcoming hands.

“Congratulations, Neva, you have a healthy baby boy!” Laelia beamed as she laid the wet and very messy baby on Neva’s belly. Neva reached her hands down and touched his little head while Laelia cut the umblical cord, and the baby started squawking.

“I’ll call him Titus Frederick Flavius after his father and yours, Laelia.” Neva smiled, as Messalina efficiently cleaned up the fussing baby then handed him back to his eager mother for his first meal.

Laelia looked up from where she was cleaning up Neva and delivering the afterbirth, and blushed. “Thank you. I’m sure father would have been very pleased to have such a fine boy named after him.”

Neva finished feeding baby Titus and smiled. “I hate to ask, but can I change? I feel really sweaty and my nightgown is soaked through.”

“Oh certainly! No bother at all. Do you want a sponge bath as well since you can’t have a real bath for a few days, as well? I think Titus is worn out, the poor thing.” Laelia helped Neva out of bed and the two sisters quickly helped Neva tidy up, then crawl back into bed for well-deserved rest, making sure the sleeping baby was in arm’s reach.

“Will you be all right for now? I’ll have one of the Sisters from the Temple come and help you with the wee one until you recover. I don’t trust that old biddy Flatilia.” Laelia asked.

“Oh yes. I’ll get some sleep and just enjoy the baby. But you don’t have to have a Sister come. I’ll be fine.”

“I insist. I would normally help, but…”

“If you insist then, Laelia, I won’t argue. Flatilia kept me on my feet from sun-up to past sun-down.”

“What! Why that sour hateful old biddy!” Laelia’s eyes flashed almost silver from the flare of temper. “Just because somebody is from a clan in bad graces with the Empress does NOT give the housekeeper the right to be hateful.”

“Grandmother is going to flip to hear that a Flavian wife was treated so shamefully, regardless of how she feels about the clan. I’ll personally explain to Grandmother that one of the servants took it upon herself to determine how someone who was seeking sanctuary was treated.” Messalina promised.

“I’ll come and check on you in a few hours, and I’ll send a message to the Temple. Oh goodness! The driver! He’s been waiting for all this time!” Laelia rushed out of the room, skirts held in her hands. Messalina tidied up, putting soiled linens and cloths in a basket and replaced the instruments and tools of Laelia’s trade.

“Get plenty of rest, Neva. And congratulations on the beautiful baby boy.” Messalina gently pulled the door closed and turned to go back upstairs. Flatilia stood there, with a disapproving look on her face.

“Shameful. That Imperial Princesses should debase themselves to serve a Flavian slut and help her deliver her bastard.”

“Ma’am, which I am only using as you are technically my elder, you are employed by the Imperial Household. And as such, I would advise you to keep such hateful thoughts behind your teeth, and to be more respectful of your employers.” Messalina squeezed past the housekeeper who was sputtering indignantly, then made her way through the warren of halls in the Lower Palace to the Upper Palace and her grandmother.

Chapter 02

 

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Boratia, Temple of Venetia, Guest Chambers, Sunrise

The rays of the rising sun touched the neatly made bed as Laelia and several low level priestesses along with the Temple seamstress bustled about helping Laelia prepare for her presentation. The seamstress was occupied making sure there were no loose threads, falling hems or creases in Laelia’s formal robes hanging on a rack in the corner of the room, while Laelia, dressed in a knit cotton camisole over a light corset and a pair of cotton drawers, with a light robe tossed over for modesty’s sake, and two apprentice Light priestesses ironed her hair straight, removing the waves left by Laelia’s customary braid. A journeymaid priestess brought a breakfast tray and Laelia broke her fast while the two apprentices swarmed around her wielding hot irons and various brushes and combs.

“I’ve not been to Court in Boratia, is there any difference between it and the Lady’s Court in Aubine?” enquired Laelia of the various Boratian priestesses filling her well-lit room.

“None of us have been asked to Court, well except the Head Priestess when she officiated over the wedding of Prince James and Lady Selena. We’ve not been trained in Court customs yet, ma’am.” The youngest apprentice replied, blushing.

“Ah, well I expect I won’t be expected at Court very often after I present myself to the Empress.” Laelia shrugged then pushed the empty tray away.

“Ma’am,” called the seamstress as she stood up, “your robes are ready. You girls, move a bit more quickly, now. The Sister has an appointment with the Empress.” She clapped her hands imperiously. The apprentices scuttled over to the rack holding Laelia’s robes and pulled it closer, making sure not to drag the train over the polished stone floor. The journeymaid held open the cotton robe worn between the undergarments and the first layer of silk, while Laelia shrugged out of her bath robe and then allowed the journeymaid to help pull the first layer on. Laelia stepped into the full pleated split skirt she wore under her dress robes, pulling the sash tight at her waist and tying it in a bow on the right side. Then came the robes in gray, white, black, another white layer and finally the outermost layer in silver silk embroidered with all of the symbols of her skills in platinum. One of the apprentices then braced Laelia as she put on the split-toe socks and sandals worn for dress occasions. Finally, they made sure her hair was still straight and fell down her back in a sheet of golden brown silk, sashes were tied and the layers were symmetrical, showing each layer at the wrists and collar. Laelia allowed her bond bracelets to reappear, and accepted her fan from the seamstress.

The seamstress and the younger priestess all stepped back and admired the view. “Sister Laelia does look well in her dress robes, doesn’t she?” the older apprentice gushed.

“I feel odd in this get up. I’m not used to so many layers of silk to keep balanced.” confessed Laelia, glancing down at her silk-clad body.

“I’ll call a carriage for you, Sister. It is a fair walk to the palace and we mustn’t get the silk dirty before your presentation.” the journeymaid bustled off, closing the door behind her. A few seconds later, she popped her head in the door and asked, “Would you prefer a steam carriage or a horse-drawn one? Some visitors prefer the horse-drawn one, muttering about the smell of the steam carriages.”

“I think I’ll take the horse-drawn carriage today. I may try the steam carriages before I leave Boratia. I wish to observe the city in the daylight and aren’t the steam carriages a little faster than the horse-drawn carriages anyways?” Laelia answered, moving carefully to the door and back to settle the layers and accustom herself to their weight. The journeymaid nodded and closed the door. She quickly returned and bowed, motioning to the open door.

“Your carriage awaits, Sister. If traffic is good, you’ll be at the palace in plenty of time.” Laelia smiled and nodded.

“Thank you for your help everybody. I’m very grateful. Last time I wore this rig, I had to use magic to do everything and I still looked like a haystack and the Lady had to help straighten me out.” She smiled. “The kicker was it was for my investiture as Priestess-Palatine of Aubine.”

“The apprentices don’t help with formal dress?” The seamstress asked, raising an eyebrow.

“If they do, I wasn’t told and nobody offered.” Laelia shrugged. “I’m off to the palace, now, ” she said, changing the subject. She glided towards the door while the apprentices trailed behind to make sure she didn’t get her train snagged on something before she got into the carriage.

“You do know how to sit without wrinkling? The seats in the carriages are too narrow for kneeling and the floors are nasty.” The seamstress trailed after the procession.

“I can do a little anti-wrinkle spell for that. The Lady was adamant all her students learn housekeeping spells alongside our regular studies.”

“Useful, that. So since everybody knows housekeeping spells, the apprentices don’t have to assist the masters?” The younger apprentice asked, wide-eyed. “Sounds really nice…” She clapped her hands over her mouth. “Umm. Whoops?”

Laelia smiled and kept on gliding to the front of the Temple, then emerged, blinking in the bright morning light reflecting off gilded trim and beveled glass windows. The guard this morning was turned out in scarlet with gold frogging with white gloves and he was opening the gate and bowing almost before Laelia reached the gate to the street beyond, lined with well-kept cottages. The carriage waiting outside the wrought-iron gates was white with gilded trim and was pulled by a matched pair of white mares.

“We keep a carriage for our guests who require the use of one, Sister.” The journeymaid explained as she bent over the trailing robes, fussing with the heavy cotton liner used for body and to protect the fragile silk.

“Practical. In Aubine, one doesn’t have to walk far to anywhere in the city. We’re sort of in each other’s pocket, so to speak.” Laelia hoisted herself into the carriage while the priestesses helped to tuck in the robes around Laelia, who was busily chanting a spell under her breath.

“To the Imperial Palace, sir! Our Shadow Sister is to be presented to the Empress, so go quickly!” called the Mother of the Temple, as she approached the group bunched at the gates. “Now, let us all say our good-byes and go back to our duties, ladies. Time will not wait for us.”

“We’ll see you later this afternoon!” “Do tell us all about the goings on at Court!” all cried, waving madly as the driver shook his reins and the horses obediently moved forward.

Laelia settled her robes around her and gazed at the scenery, enjoying the sights. They passed out of the residential area through a ring of parks and moved into a booming commercial area, with buildings popping up, with one in particular, which even though it was only an iron skeleton was taller than the Temple. Buildings in all states of construction, from the hole in the ground with men standing around looking in to the ones with people cheering at a ribbon cutting streamed past Laelia’s windows. The carriage stopped at an intersection and Laelia indulged in some covert people-watching, as rivers of people streamed in opposite directions. The carriage jolted, turning right onto another busy street, lined with shops and restaurants. The tide of people thinned out, and seemed to be more fashionably dressed the farther she rode down the bustling avenue. The hats were big and the dresses long and slim and in various pastel shades and the men were dressed in dark well-cut suits and small-brimmed hats. Steam carriages and horse-drawn carriages were in equal numbers with the younger set overwhelmingly choosing the steam carriages, while their elders chose the more sedate horse-drawn carriages. Some of the shoppers noticed the white carriage and bobbed their heads in recognition, while others continued on with their shopping.

The avenue broadened out as the shops gave way to large manicured parks, then large houses, almost rivaling the Temple for sheer size and grandeur were set in slowly greening lawns and bright green leafed trees shaded the quiet sidewalks, occasionally occupied by a black-dressed nanny pushing a bay carriage or walking young children in briaght;y colored wool coats. The carriage topped a small hill and Laelia caught her first sight of the Imperial Palace: white walls surrounding a profusion of multi-colored roofs and in the middle, set off by itself-the Palace proper, a classical study in white, roofed in blue.

They went down the small hill and the houses became even grander as they drew closer to the palace, until they passed the closest house which almost but not quite rivaled the Palace in size, then went through another ring of lush gardens and manicured greens. They approached the gatehouse and the driver leaned down as the guards approached.

“The Priestess-Palatine of Aubine here to be presented to the Empress, sirs.”

“Very well, then. Enter please.” The guards moved to allow the carriage through the slowly opening bronze gates. The driver clucked at the horses and the carriage crept forward under the thick stonework of the Outer Wall. The horse’s steel shoes clattered on the quaint cobblestones of the narrow street leading to the palace as the carriage bumped its way up the long incline. Laelia observed the classical feel of the buildings as compared to the more modern architecture of the houses and other buildings outside the walls of the Palace. The Palace seemed to get bigger as Laelia approached it, yet an odd feeling of belonging passed through her thoughts. All too soon, they were at the foot of the stairs leading to the massive bronze and gilt doors of the Palace. They stopped and a blue-garbed footman leapt to open the door and assist Laelia out of the carriage. He did a slight double-take at her robes, and offered his arm.

“Allow me to escort you to the audience chamber, Sister.”

“Thank you, sir.” Laelia finished straightening her robes from her slightly cramped travels, then, with the assistance of the footman, made her stately way up the stairs, making a lovely picture of silvery satin glinting in the sun, trailing up the white stone steps.

The doors opened, oddly silent for such massive doors, then she was ushered into an atrium, with a pool in the floor on which water lilies floated aimlessly and golden carp lazily swam in the blue-tinted water. Silk velvet banners draped the plastered walls with mahogany wainscoting and blue runners covered the black and white marble floors. They ascended another grand staircase to the audience chamber of the Empress where Laelia was handed into the care of the rather portly man dressed in severest black and sporting an impressive mustache. A quick snap of the fingers and a maid, dressed in blue, helped arrange the trailing robes and tidy Laelia’s hair.

“How may I announce you Sister?” he enquired in starchy tones.

“Laelia Frederica Iulia, Priestess-Palatine of Aubine and Senior Shadow Priestess.” Laelia said, arranging the folds of her split skirt, missing the look of shock pass over the majordomo’s normally stoic features. He motioned to the two impassive guards standing at the doors, and they leapt to open the door.

“Now, kneel until Her Majesty, Empress Cornelia acknowledges you, Sister.” With that, the doors opened and as Laelia made her way towards the woman dressed in black kneeling on cushions on a raised platform draped in sheer white silk, the majordomo boomed out:

“If it pleases the court, presenting Laelia Frederica Iulia, Priestess-Palatine of Aubine and Senior Shadow Priestess!”

The court started murmuring, too low for Laelia to hear as she glided gracefully up the blue carpet to the crimson cushion close to the Imperial platform. She kept her eyes respectfully downcast until she reached the cushion. Kneeling, using a bit of magic to make her robes flare out, she folded her arms on the floor and rested her head on her arms until she was acknowledged.

A rustle of silk bombazine alerted her to something being amiss with the usual protocol.

“Laelia?” a choked up voice asked. Laelia cautiously raised herself up to her knees and looked questioningly at the Empress, kneeling in front of her with tears running down her face.

“You look like your mother, m’dear, but you have your father’s eyes, bless their souls.” A wrinkled hand caressed Laelia’s face, then she was engulfed in black silk. “You’re Victoria’s baby, returned to us all grown up and so beautiful.”

“My mother’s name was Victoria?” Laelia managed to choke out.

“Yes, dear. Victoria Emilia Iulia, my eldest daughter, the Crown Princess, and your father was Prince Frederick of Zenobia.”

Laelia smiled and hugged the older woman back.

“One could almost thank those rogue Daevas, since if it was for them, I wouldn’t have found my family, since you wouldn’t have needed a Shadow Priestess to banish them.”

Cornelia turned her head to the left and called out, “Messalina! Your sister has returned home!”

A petite, curvy woman dressed in pale green and yellow hurried over, and fell to her knees, hugging Laelia.

“I remember you as a wee little baby, all swaddled up. And look at you now!” Soon the trio was surrounded by various members of the Imperial family, all exclaiming about how miraculous it was that Victoria;s baby had returned home and how beautiful she was and commenting on her formal robes now being crushed by vigorous hugs. The Court was thronging around the family reunion, all except two men, wearing Caranthian plaids tossed over the Boratian court clothing they were required to wear. Both were propping up the walls and conversing between themselves.

“Now we’ll have to put up with Messalina being giddy about her baby sister returning to the fold, brother.” the younger one mused.

“I’m just glad that she won’t wake up screaming that the baby is gone and make me get up in the middle of the night when it’s freezing cold to go look for the ‘missing baby’”, the older one replied, straightening up off the wall. “Come on, you should introduce yourself to your new sister-in-law.”

“Before we do the ‘meet the family’ again, one question. What’s so special about a Shadow Priestess?”

“I’ll let Laelia answer that question boyo. I’m sure the answer would be educational.”

“Fine, then. I’ll be the hick from the mountains who’s never been t’ th’ city and ask an’ ignorant question. I won’t ask you anything, even though you had to learn about Boratia before you even marry Messalina.” muttered the younger man, glaring at his older brother. Messalina spotted them approaching and darted through the mass of people surrounding Laelia and Cornelia.

“Come on, you two! Meet my sister!” she cried, grabbing their hands and nearly yanking them off their feet then bulled her way through the crowd.

“Laelia? Meet my husband and brother in law!” Messalina yelled over the babble of voices. Laelia turned and smiled at the sight of her petite sister hauling two tall, muscular men around. “Laelia, my husband, Robert of Caranthia and his brother Graeme. Gentlemen, my baby sister, who happens to be taller than me.” They bowed and murmured polite phrases at each other.

Graeme took a breath and opened his mouth to ask Laelia his burning question when suddenly screams erupted outside the audience chamber. A flash of light and Laelia had a wicked looking sword in her hand and was wearing a gray knit sleeveless tunic over black leather leggings with a sword belt around her hips with glowing gold enameled bracelets circling her wrists

“Manifest!” she cried and another flash of light occured and then twelve transluscent creatures stood around Laelia.

“Lillas, shield this room, Chaos, assist me, the rest, help Lillas hold the shield. Let only those who are supposed to be in the palace through the shield.” she ordered, eyes scanning for any other points of entry. She turned to the now-panicked Court. “Everybody please stay calm. My bound Daevas will protect you.” Dark blue eyes swung twoards Graeme and Robert. “Graeme, are you any good with a sword? I can use somebody to watch my back.”

He sputtered indignantly, “Of course I know how to use a sword! But I don’t have one.”

Laelia reached into seemingly thin air and pulled out a rather nice two handed sword with a ruby on the hilt, and handed it to Graeme, with the hilt on her forearm. “Here, use it well. Now, let’s go do some housekeeping. There are some pests to exterminate.” She headed towards the double doors leading to the rest of the palace with Graeme following her closely. They approached the now-shimmering doors and momentarily paused for the shield to open up enough to allow then to exit. The duo rushed through the still open doors and encountered the first wave of Daevas. A dark shape followed the duo then took shape as Chaos. He bellowed, “All humans, please go to the audience chamber. There is safety there.” The frightened servants and officials scurried towards the audience chamber, skirting past the large bat winged Daeva. “No rogues shall pass!” He snarled, going into a defensive posture, claws extended.

Laelia looked at the leader of the rogues and sighed. “Artemis, love. Last time I ran into you, you swore up and down that you wouldn’t harm humans, and yet here you are scaring the piss out of these innocent souls. I told you to keep any arguments between yourselves and the Lord and Lady between yourselves, but no. A serious lack of listening is going on here.” Laelia moved closer to the group of rogue Daevas. “So, tell me, why are you here? Is your group the ones behind this little attack?”

“We were hired by somebody wearing a black cape and mask. He promised us lands of our own, where we can live openly, and pardons for any crimes in exchange for assassinating the Imperial family.”

Laelia’s eyes narrowed and she moved smoothly into position “Nice. Now you know what I have to do, dear. I can’t let you kill humans for promises made somebody who didn’t even show you his face.” Then she moved almost too fast to see and before Graeme could even blink she had laid waste to almost half the Daevas and was halfway down the hallway. She yelled back. “Hurry up or you won’t have any tales to tell to impress the girls of Caranthia!” Graeme grimaced and ran after the running priestess.

They made their way down the halls, scaring up hiding Daevas and quickly dispatching them until there weren’t any left. Laelia has pulled several of her Daevas away from assisting Lillas and tasked them to search out rogues in the sprawling Palace complex.

Laelia stood in the courtyard scanning the area for any secondary waves of rogues, when Chaos followed by the her earth elemental and air elemental Daevas approached.

“Mistress, the place is secure and there were no injuries except for bad cases of fright and one of the maids is in labor.”

“Very well. I’ll go and check the audience chamber and notify Grandmother of the results, then I’ll go and assist with the delivery.” Laelia wiped her blade clean and slid it back into its sheath on her sword belt. She turned to Graeme, who was busily examining the blade for any nicks or scratches, and asked, “What were you going to say before the rogues attacked?”

“Oh I was going to ask what was so special about a Shadow Priestess.” He shrugged and went back to polishing his borrowed blade.

“I take it you figured it out with this little demonstration?”

“Some of it. I’m still curious, though, so I’ll be watching. I like to satisfy my curiosity.” He smirked.

“Have fun, then,” she tossed back over her shoulder as she turned to return to her new-found grandmother.

He jogged up to her rapidly retreating figure and asked. “You have Daevas and yet you fight them?”

She stopped, and spun around to stare at him. “First of all, I don’t ‘have’ Daevas. They are willingly bound to me and can be set free at any time. Secondly, I only fight those who would hurt others or who rebel against the Lord and Lady. The leader, Artemis, she wanted it both ways: to return to Aubine, and to strike back at humans who somehow offended her.”

“My apologies if I offended you, Laelia.” He sketched a slightly mocking bow

She looked at him askance, then threw her hands in the hair and walked off, muttering about cocky males and how her sister was a positive saint.

The Elysian Affair

Alexandrine of Ravynstone Abbey

NaNoWriMo 2006 Novel

Genre: Fantasy/Court Intrigue/Historical Fantasy/Fantasy Steampunk/Fantasy of Manners

 

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2699 in the 65th year of Empress Cornelia’s reign, early spring
Palatine House, Aubine“Bored, bored, so bored!”, sighed the Priestess-Palatine Laelia as she looked over her clear desk with papers neatly stacked in trays, ready for her assistants to take them to their proper place. Tossing her braided hair back over her shoulder, Laelia stretched.”I almost would prefer going out into the field, rather than push paper, I’m so bored.” She said, fussing with the papers, making sure they were in neat stacks and all edges lined up. She turned her chair around to look out the silk draped windows and gazed out the window, ignoring the lushly landscaped garden below.A knock at the door made Laelia spin around to see who it was. Nobody was there but a folded piece of parchment lay in the exact center of the polished desk. She picked up the missive and read it quickly, then surged to her feet in barely suppressed excitement.

“Something different! Even if it is a small chore to do, at least I won’t die of boredom at my desk.” Her silver silk robe swished as she exited the room, making sure everything was in order before answering the summons. Laelia’s braid swung as she briskly walked to the Temple of Venetia and her appointment with the Lady, passing through the gardens just waking up from their winter nap.

Laelia entered the Temple and made her obeisance to the statue representing the lady, then turned to her right and exited the main chamber to make her way through the maze of hallways to the audience chamber where the Lady awaited.

She paused before the double doors intricately carved and embellished with gold and enamel and checked her appearance: hair still in braid, no food stains on her robe and uniform and that her robe wasn’t too badly wrinkled. Satisfied that she was tidy, Laelia pushed the doors open and entered.

The pale blonde woman sitting on the cushioned divan, with white silk draping over her pregnant belly smiled with recognition. “You are here sooner than I expected, Laelia, my dear. I hope I didn’t disrupt your tasks?”

“Oh no, Lady. I was finished with my morning duties when I received your summons.” Laelia bowed, then kneeled on a crimson velvet cushion.

“I received a request for your services as a Shadow Priestess. The Empress of Boratia requested the best Shadow priestess to help with an infestation of rogue daevas disrupting the celebrations of her 65th Jubilee. Would you be available? I know you have duties here in Aubine, managing the city, but she did request the best we have, and you will be amply compensated for your services and have the authority to back up any orders you may give related to your assignment.

Trying to suppress her eagerness, Laelia smiled. “It wouldn’t be an imposition, Lady. My assistants are well-trained and I do need a change in routine or else I fear I shall grow roots in that chair. I can leave by tonight, if that would be permissible.”

“Since you are leaving so soon, you will be the message. Wear your formal robe over your best uniform and iron your hair for court. They frown on braids. The Empress receives visitors to the Court in the mornings, so present yourself to the place by the third hour after daybreak to announce your presence in Boratia. Give your full name to the major domo. As for lodging, the Temple in Boratia will make a room available for your use.”

“Yes ma’am. May I be dismissed, so I may pack?” Laelia bowed again.

“Of course. Have a safe journey and we will expect you here after the Jubilee celebrations are finished.” Venetia waved her hand in dismissal, and Laelia rose gracefully, making sure not to catch her robe under her feet. She turned and left to go back to her rooms and prepare for her assignment.

Venetia watched Laelia as she left, and as soon as the double doors closed, a black cloud coalesced into the form of the Lord, Himalis, with a thoughtful look on his face.

“She seemed excited, my dear.”

“Yes, she was excited. I fear she has gotten bored with being Priestess-Palatine. The city runs so efficiently now, she has no challenges to keep her occupied. This assignment may be very good for her, but she is going to Boratia. She will find her family but I can’t see farther than that. She may decide to stay in Boratia or she may return.” Venetia rested her chin in one hand as the other one rubbed her belly.

Himalis laid his hand over hers and smiled. “She needs a family.”

“We’re her family!” Venetia cried.

“She needs more than what we can give her, my dear. Running a holy city isn’t enough, judging by how excited she was to get an assignment. Her skills and talents are being wasted here, Venetia.”

“Those four years she was in Zenobia was very difficult for her. Are you sure she can handle the Court at Boratia? They love the arcane rules and politics. Laelia hasn’t had any experience in that.” Venetia fretted, rubbing her belly where the new godling was kicking up a storm.

“Laelia has always been a quick learner, and isn’t she Boratian anyways? I think that political intrigue is in the water in Boratia.” Himalis mused, walking back and forth in front of the divan where Venetia held court daily, kicking the cushions across the room.

Venetia frowned at her husband’s antics and hoisted herself out of her seat. Arranging the folds of her gown, she then tidied up the room with a flick of her hand. Turning towards Himalis with hands on her hips, she shook her head. “I will insist that she return for the delivery.”

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Laelia held the hem up of her robes as she rushed back to her rooms in the Palatine House. As she wound her way through the hallways and garden paths, she listed everything she would need: extra uniforms, her formal robes, her correspondence box, a letter of credit from the bank in Aubine so she wouldn’t be broke while working, her vanity box so as to not offend and a few of her favorite things to make the austere Temple rooms seem a bit more homey. The front door opened just as she hit the front steps and she passed one of her assistants, a rather pretty young man with his long brown hair pulled back into a braid and wearing the black robes of the Brotherhood of Death, an order devoted to Himalis, and called out over her shoulder, “Sorry! Must run! I have to be in Boratia soon and I simply must pack! Everything that needed my signature today is in their respective trays and you are in charge until I return, Damien.” He watched her rapidly disappear up the stairs leading to the private areas of the House.She skidded to a stop in front of her dressing room, puffing a bit from her dash, then entered. Laelia dragged a well-polished black leather trunk bound in polished nickel and popped open the lid. She carefully packed her things, taking care not to crush her formal robes, already layered together, and added a few of her favorite books and other necessary items. A few words and a shimmering portal opened up, and the trunk was pushed inside.

As she left her dressing room, another one of Laelia’s assistants, a Light priestess, Octavia, hurried to intercept. “Laelia! Please wait!”, she cried.

Laelia turned, and paused, waiting for Octavia to catch up. The younger priestess stopped, panting a bit from the stairs.

“Damien told me that you were leaving, Laelia. He said something about Boratia?”

“My services were requested by the Empress to clean up an infestation of rogue daevas. There is nothing pressing here, so the Lady gave me permission to leave. Damien will be in charge as he has had more seniority and you are to be second in command.”

“Yes ma’am. Are all the papers in order, then?”

“You can find today’s paperwork in the signed tray and there is nothing else on the agenda today.” Laelia smiled. “I must leave now, Octavia, so keep things running the way I would and I’ll be returning after the Jubilee is over in Boratia unless the Lord or Lady recall me sooner.” Laelia turned and went outside to find the door to Boratia which was west of Aubine.

---

Boratia, Capital City of the Empire of Boratia. Night
2nd hour of the fifth day of the fourth week. (4 hours before daybreak)She arrived in the Temple courtyard and startled the sleepy guard dozing at the gate. She showed the guard the symbol of her rank, flashed into her Night Sister uniform and leapt over the gate, going into the city. Laelia scanned the roofs, learning the layout of the vast city. She paused in a shadowy alley, opening onto a wide avenue, still bustling with people even at this late hour. Indulging in a rare impulse, she unashamedly gawked at the steam-powered vehicles puttering up and down the streets and the gaslights illuminating the avenue and even the bright marquees over some of the buildings. She turned and disappeared back into the darkness. Laelia’s passage was noted by a young man standing outside a large white house with all its windows ablaze and music spilling out into the early spring night.

---

Elsewhere, later that nightHe unfolded the twenty-year old letter, scanning the contents.

To the Lady:
Greetings. I write this in hopes that you will be merciful and grant my child, my youngest, the infant Princess Laelia Frederica Iulia of Boratia. My late husband, Prince Frederick of Zenobia and I were ambushed on our way back from Caranthia and his Highness passed in the defense of me and our child. I, Laelia and Messalina fled for our lives. Before we fled, I overheard the brigands talking about how a ‘very important person’ in Boratia wanted myself and my female children dead. I beg you to protect Laelia until she can defend herself. She was born on the 21st day of the first month of the year 2679, and is already entered into the Iulian clan rolls at the Genealogical Institute of Boratia. Laelia is my heir and as such is entitled to my rank and wealth on my death and should be educated in an appropriate manner suiting her station in life. Princess Victoria Emilia Iulia Noddington, Crown Princess of Boratia, Princess Frederick of Zenobia28th day, sixth month, 2679

“So she has returned to Boratia. Let the games begin,” he smirked, folding the letter and returning it to its intricately carved box.