The Forsaken Hero

After saying so, the servant procured a key from his robes and stepped toward the door. There was no lock or bolt upon the door, only a doorknob shaped like interwoven vines. I watched curiously as he touched the key to it, and a soft bell-like chime sounded. The door cracked open on its own.

”Please, keep this on you at all times,” he said, handing me the key. ”My name is Anrinth, and I’ve been charged with attending you while you remain a guest of the Sunsingers. Whether it’s guiding you around the manor and the city, or merely bringing you things you require, I shall serve you to the best of my abilities. Should you need something while I am away, simply touch the key with a strand of mana, and I shall find you as quickly as I can.”

”Thank you, Anrinth,” I said, testing the strange name out.

He smiled faintly, then his eyes strayed to Kahlen, and his face firmed again. ”I shall give you a moment of privacy to settle into your quarters. If you’d like, in the meantime, I can have someone prepare you a bath.”

”That would be lovely. It’s been so long since I’ve had a proper bath,” I admitted.

He smiled again and saluted. ”I’ll knock once I’ve returned.”

With that, he vanished down the hallway. Before I could enter the room, Luxxa caught my arm, gently pulling me back as Gith ducked into the room.

”Is that really necessary?” I asked.

”Just a precaution,” she said, making an effort to appear unconcerned. ”We’re in a strange land, after all, and I’d rather we know for certain your room is secure before you enter.”

”Fine. By the way, did you see where Fyren went?”

It was Kahlen who answered, saying, ”He’ll be back tonight, though I don’t expect you’ll see him till tomorrow.”

”He left?”

Kahlen nodded. ”He slipped away shortly after the incident with the wolf. I believe he wished to get the lay of the land, much as Gith is doing with your room now.”

”Oh.”

”Don’t look like that,” Luxxa said, ”Allies as thoughtful and proactive as him are rare to come by. Besides, doesn’t that show you he trusts you enough to leave you?”

Kahlen snorted. ”I think it’s a bigger show of faith in the Sunsingers. Honestly, I’m surprised, given that Aerion fellow.”

My tail stiffened. ”Aerion? Is there something wrong with him?”

”Not in so many words. Just...be cautious. Didn’t you notice how quick he was to ascertain the motives of this...Whitemarsh family?”

”I agree, actually. I’m not particularly politically savvy, but I’ve got a good eye for people,” Jenna said, ”It would be a mistake to take his facetious attitude for granted.”

”I...didn’t notice. I’ll keep that in mind,” I promised.

Luxxa smiled. ”Don’t think too much about these matters. Rather, try and enjoy yourself. When was the last time you had a chance to truly relax in a city, without a battle or danger looming overhead? Leave the scheming and conniving to those who actually enjoy it.”

As I nodded, Gith poked his head out. ”Clear. My ability isn’t registered any other souls within the rooms on either side of us, either.”

”They’re likely guest suites, like this one. I suspect they were left empty on purpose, to avoid letting anyone get too close to you,” Kahlen said, nodding at me.

”It’s better this way. If we detect someone nearby, we’ll know something’s up,” Luxxa agreed.

I followed Gith into the room, but quickly came up short. It wasn’t a bedroom, as I expected, but more of a lobby or living room, with a pair of long couches facing each other, separated by a glass table. It was beautiful, with gold leaf trim on the couches and glimmering crystal lights carved like flowers affixed to the wall. Two doors on either side of the room led into a storage room and several bedrooms, reminding me of the servant room I’d slept in when hiding in Soltair’s quarters of the Divine Throne. A hallway led from the main room into the bedroom, which had a closet larger than the inn rooms I was used to, and a glass door that led onto a balcony. I opened it, ignoring Luxxa’s protest, and walked out, putting my hands on the railing.

The balcony was spacious, with several cushioned seats and a small table. It had a beautiful view out the backside of the manor, directly overlooking a meadowy garden with a natural waterfall and pond hedged by a lightly wooded forest. Off in the distance, perhaps a half mile or so, the walls of the estate rose above the trees.

I took a long, deep breath, the scents of summer flowers swirling in the evening breeze. The sun was low and red, casting long shadows across the meadow, glimmering in the pond. I stood there silently, watching as it vanished behind the wall, draping the estate in shadows.

”My Lady,” Luxxa finally said, ”Would you care to look around a little more? Anrinth will be returning soon.”

”Why’d they give us a balcony?” Gith muttered as I returned inside. ”They go through all the trouble of clearing the rooms, then leave a direct line to the exterior.”

”I’m glad,” I said, clasping my hands together. ”Even if it’s dangerous, I’m glad.”

”Don’t worry,” Luxxa soothed. ”We’ll figure it out. Just try not to show your face out there until we’ve had a chance to check the grounds.”

I nodded and finished exploring our quarters. There was a small fireplace in the entrance way that I’d missed, and several more bedrooms attached to the servant quarters.

Anrinth returned shortly and led me to a small private bath a few hallways down. Apparently, each floor had its own separate bathhouse, staffed with attendants until late in the night. When I asked how they had enough people to utilize them, he explained that over five hundred people were living in the manor, as well as over twice that number who had private lodgings off the grounds.

The attendants didn’t seem keen to leave me to bathe on my own, but I insisted they give me some privacy. I shivered as they went, sinking into the water with a long sigh. I doubted I would ever get used to someone offering to scrub my back for me.

The water was warm and soothing, taking the tension from my muscles. It brought to mind the hot springs of Blacksand City. Had it really only been a month or two? It felt like an entire lifetime ago.

I spent longer than I cared to admit soaking in the water, almost drifting off several times between thoughts. It had been so long since I’d had a chance to really sit down and think, and there was a lot for me to process. When I finally left, dressing in a fresh white dress with a red sash, I felt better than I had in ages. Two maids, as if waiting for a cue, filed in and took my hands, guiding me to a seat. I started to protest, but they shushed me and got to work on my hair, brushing it until it shone.

”It’s just going to get messed up again,” I complained as they finally let me up. ”It’s almost bedtime.”

”That’s no excuse to look unkempt,” one answered. She was an elderly maid with a frown that looked permanently engraved on her face. ”While you’re a guest in this house, remember that everything you do, including your looks, represents House Sunsinger. It wouldn’t do to shame the lords and ladies.”

I nodded meekly, giving them a small, grateful curtsy.

”Hmm, not bad, though your southern technique could use some work,” the woman said, letting a rare smile show.

She and the other maid curtseyed back, giving a very crisp, sharp curtsey. It was a different style than the one taught me at the Divine Throne, reminding me of the salutes of the soldiers and male servants.

”Be sure to do it properly in the future,” she said.

”Like this?”

I did an experimental curtsy, and she frowned, circling me and laying her hands on my hips. I stiffened, my tail going rigid. She frowned as it brushed her leg.

”That’s enough nonsense. Keep your back straighter, and bend your legs so,” she said, guiding me with her hands.

I practiced a few more times until she was satisfied, then thanked her by demonstrating it once more.

”Good. If it pleases you, there are several other matters of proper etiquette you seem to be lacking, I would like to instruct you on.”

”I-I’m not really a diplomat,” I stammered, curling a strand of hair around my finger. ”That’s kind of Elise’s job.”

Her frown deepened. ”Proper decorum isn’t a matter of preference when it comes to the great noble houses of Sylvarus. Your strength and status as an oracle mean nothing to the people here. Age, wisdom, tradition, and respect will get you farther. You’re already at a disadvantage due to your blood. Don’t let your attitude and carelessness ruin any chance you have of succeeding.”

I looked at the floor, properly chastened. ”I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it meant that much to you.” I curtseyed low. ”I’ll be in your care.”

She sniffed. ”At least you’re teachable.”

She turned and left, leaving the other maid to show me out another exit. Anrinth waited for me, eyeing me up and down before giving an appreciative nod.

”It seems Anlya found you,” he said.

”Anlya? You mean that woman?” I asked.

His mouth twitched with the hint of a smile. ”Feeling descriptive, are we? Just as Velne is the head butler, Anlya serves as the mistress of the house. She oversees the upkeep, training, and conduct of the female servants, and feels a great deal of responsibility for the image of the estate. She may be a bit prickly, but she once served as the headmistress of the Whitemarshes’ estate. There’s no one more qualified to speak on etiquette and tradition. You should be grateful she’s decided to take you under her wing.”

”Oh. I thought she was just another bath attendant,” I said, rubbing my horn bashfully. ”Thank you.”

”Shall I see you in your room, or do you wish to have some supper first?” he asked. ”I hear your friends have gathered in the west dining room. Would you care to join them?”