Here There be Dragons: Testing the Waters

Chapter 124:

Sleeping in a bed had done her poor, sore body a world of good. Nereida awoke later than usual, without nosy, noisy children coming to wake her. Her lizard foot had shed scales in the night, and the mild injury from her boots was starting to clear up. She set about the task of collecting the strange scales, and tossing them in the hearth fire. Nereida did not want anyone to happen upon her dead scales.

Thankfully, no servants came bustling in. It was lovely and peaceful to not have servants, just her and her own thoughts as she got herself ready for the day, brushing her hair, dressing and even tending to the still-sore blisters on both her feet. Though it struck her as a little odd that no one came for her. This household had servants, she was sure of it. They were probably the third most wealthy noble family in the area, and Caleb’s parents were always putting on airs when they were out and about. So… why had they not sent servants to her?

Now that the idea was in her mind, her mind would not be quieted. Nereida searched the little room she slept in, and was surprised to not find any bells. Frequently a guest would get a bell to call servants if they didn’t have their own dedicated one. Perhaps she did have a dedicated servant, and they were outside the door, waiting to be called. She headed to the ornately carved wooden door, and turned the brass handle. It did not budge. The door was locked. Nereida felt bile rise in her stomach. Why had they locked her in?

A knock sounded from the other side of the door.

“Princess?” It was Mira’s voice. “Might I come in?”

“It’s locked,” Nereida replied, keeping her voice deceptively light and airy. “I’m afraid I don’t have the key.”

“I do.”

“Then by all means, come in.” Nereida limped over to the fireplace, and picked up the metal-tipped poker, ready to swing at the woman if she didn’t immediately explain herself.

Mira came in wearing simple trousers and a soft blue tunic, the same kind of simple clothing that she had seen in male servant uniforms. She saw Nereida holding the poker and raised her hands in obvious surrender.

“I’m sorry! We simply had someone show up last night who claimed that you were coming here, you and the rest of the royal entourage, as she called it. She claimed to be your wife, but we all know your marriage is set for the spring. We got this missive before the king passed. Father was livid at the deception, but Mother thought she was here to deceive us and kill you. So we locked you in. It was not done maliciously! I swear.” Her words were hurried and full of concern.

“That likely is my wife,” Nereida grouched, roughly shoving the poker back into its holder. It rattled around loudly. “Long, dark hair, probably braided, tunic, pants, scars on her lip, face and arms?”

“I didn’t see her arms, but yes.” Mira shifted from foot to foot. “Mother and Father were adamant that she be locked up. They planned to speak to Caleb, but he was soundly asleep. They forbid me from seeking you out.” She smiled a little at that, like an adolescent revelling in a small rebellion. It was a strange expression on someone in their thirties.

“I’m glad you did. Take me to her?”

She heard Aella before she saw her. Aella’s usually pleasant voice carried well, years aboard a ship had taught her how to project her voice so all may hear it.

“I am her wife, you imbeciles! I am Grand Admiral Countess Aella D’Igna and I demand to speak to the lord or lady of this house at once!” Her words echoed up the stairwell from the cold, dark basement.

“We have a small jail cell down there,” Mira revealed with a self-conscious shrug. “We have a small jail in town too, but this one is warmer in the depths of winter.”

“A jail cell in your home?” Nereida echoed. The palace had a dungeon of course, but it was a palace. Such things were expected.

“My great grandfather was a proud man,” the woman replied with a little shrug. The way she said the word proud made it seem like she meant “foolish”. She sneered a little, before continuing. “And neither my grandfather nor my father found a better use for the basement.”

They headed into the darkness, Mira bringing a lantern with them so they could see.

“Aella?” Nereida called out.

“Oh thank the dragons,” Aella sounded relieved. “Nereida, get me out of this forsaken little hole! It’s no bigger than a dragon’s asshole!” Mira made a strangled little sound of indignation, but Nereida just laughed. She headed down as quickly as she could on the un-even stone stairs. When the light caught up with her, she saw Aella locked in what was, clearly, a hole with a grate over it. The grate was locked, not with a proper lock, but simply with a heavy crate pushed over part of it. Aella was standing in runoff, her feet soaked. Nereida spun on Mira, her anger flaring, but she pushed it down. Mira had helped her. Mira was not the enemy.

Her parents, however, would face her wrath. Once Aella was safe.

With Mira’s help, Nereida was able to push the crate aside. It dragged across the floor, making the most horrendous noise. Nereida felt her stomach clench as she worried they'd be caught.

“You need better employers,” Aella grouched at Mira. The noblewoman flushed. She tugged at her tunic, red in her face, and looking anywhere but at them. After a moment, she spoke, her voice soft.

“They are my parents.” Aella blinked at her, a long, slow blink, before she turned to Nereida.

“Are all parents as cuddly as a dragon’s rusty tail spike? Or is it just the nobles?” Nereida giggled,her emotions bubbling over, until she was gasping for breath. Aella was shaking her head fondly, and Mira looked completely scandalized. Nereida laughed until her ribs hurt. Mira rolled her eyes.

“If you are done, Princess, we should leave. You and your wife need to come with me. We’ll find the sword.”

Mira led them through the servant tunnels, carrying her lantern. The oil smell was thick, this was not as high a quality as what they'd use in the palace.

“Wait,” Nereida said, as they approached a door. She could feel the cold draft coming from beneath it. “We should tell Caleb, bring him.” Mira scowled at her.

“The fire-casters are not welcome.”

“I have no magic, neither does Aella. It's the dead of winter, and bringing enough supplies to keep us warm with tremendously slow us down.” She didn't say that she didn't know Mira, that it had been decades since she had seen her. Aella made a sour face, but did not protest either.

“Then who will guard the King?”

“He's in crystal that will not break no matter what tools are brought against him,” Aella offered. “I doubt he can be harmed by anything other than that sword.” Mira pursed her lips, thinking, and then sighed.

“You won't leave without him, will you?”

“No.” Nereida crossed her arms and waited. Mira looked her over, a calculating expression slowly seeping onto her face.

“Fine.”

Caleb was still in his dressing gown, his eyes blurry with sleep. He asked them to wait in the antechamber while he went to his room. The furnishings here were much nicer than the ones Nereida had been offered. The couch was velvet covered, though she could see wear on it. The fireplace was burning merrily, the rug was well-maintained and bright. The room felt homey in a way that hers did not. When Caleb headed into his room, she caught sight of Basiano's still form, still trapped in crystal. Someone had draped a warm-looking blanket over him, and there were offerings of food placed before him on a little make-shift altar. Nereida looked back at Mira questioningly, but the woman placed her finger on her lips. Aella grunted in annoyance but did not comment.

After a few long, silent, awkward minutes, Caleb returned. He was wearing heavy winter gear, a sword strapped to his side.

“I thought I'd get one more day in a bed,” he muttered. “But I suppose we must go sooner.” He saw Aella's frown and passed her his sword. “My hubby claims you are better than me, so you might as well carry it.” She smiled at that, a tight, guarded smile that did not quite reach her eyes.

“Trust me with it?”

“I trust that you aren't going to stab me in my sleep.” Mira looked between Caleb and Aella with wide eyes, and so Caleb continued, his voice too lazy to be sincere. “I did poison her wife, Mira. She has a reason.”

“It's forgiven,” Nereida insisted. But Aella and Caleb looked at each other with understanding. It was not.

The strange group of allies, now wearing winter gear, headed out into the cold, blowing snow. Nereida had wrapped her lizard foot well, and wore a boot a size bigger to compensate. It meant that some poor soul was short a boot, but Mira had claimed that she had taken it from the uniform stores, that no one would miss it. Aella pulled her aside as they began their trudge up the path, heading farther into the snow-covered mountains.

“Be careful,” Aella whispered, her hand closing on Nereida's. She pulled her back, slowing Nereida's pace. Nereida started to tell off her wife, she knew how to hike, she was not some helpless little thing! But she saw true worry in Aella's beautiful eyes, and, despite the fact that she was still angry at Aella, she paused to listen. “Egaz had a vision. Betrayal. That's why I came.”

“Egaz? Poor boy.” She hesitated, then gave Aella a soft smile. “I'm glad you came. I'm still.. there's still....” She couldn’t bring herself to articulate her feelings in the cold,biting wind. This was a conversation for warm tea and safety.

“I know,” Aella replied. “But I couldn't leave you to face this alone.”

“What about the kids?”

“They are with Priscilla. I... I started to like her. She's not a bad sort, for a pampered noblewoman.”