“Here is my Lady Lucina Acreage, she has summoned you.” The young pageboy stopped and knocked at the door.

“Come in,” Came a wistful voice.

I entered a grand parlor as I was guided into the room by the page boy. It was opulent and upon a fainting couch sat a woman of regal bearing. She had graying hair on her temples as the rest of her hair was done up in a tall bun upon the top of her head. The hair was a spiral of braids shaped and beautiful. Her eyes glimmered in the light a hazel the color of chocolate. Her face was pale with a light dusting of makeup with lips the color of cherries.

Upon her frame was a grand gown that was more fashionable than comfortable as she lounged, a sense of relaxation and pampering filled the air of the room as she pulled a long smoking stick from her lips and blew a potent smelling smoke into the air. Her gaze drank me in as she looked me up and down. Her eyes stopped on my mangled hand.

Like a purr she spoke, though her tone was soft it carried throughout the room, “The hero of the hour. My husband is quite impressed with you.” She slowly tapped the burning substance at the end of her pipe into a tray next to her and set aside the pipe. Then she relaxed into the couch and waved a hand at the seat nearby. “Please, I insist you have a seat.”

I walked into the room as the pageboy went to kneel and whisper something in the woman’s ear. As I sat I looked at the woman with interest, “I apologize if this is rude, but I haven’t seen signs of a queen whenever I’ve dealt with His Majesty.”

The boy packed her pipe once more as she looked at me with intelligent eyes, “Being the second wife I am not recognized as a queen. I’m more seen as a consort. I’ve borne his children and lay with him when he so wishes but my children will never be the main heirs. It saddens me that my sons will forever be spare princes.” As the boy offered the pipe she pushed it away, “Maybe later my page. Go entertain my youngest, he is in the nursery.”

As the young pageboy left she crossed her arms demurely and looked at me quizzically. “You have been accepted into the court, is it just on the basis of saving the king’s favorite nephew?”

“No, he put me through a test of skill. As I lost my ability to play most instruments I told him a tale that pleased him so greatly he took me into his court. I am honored beyond measure to be given such a position.” I kept my posture open and without any signs of discomfort at the questions.

“I see, my husband usually isn’t fond of minstrels so you must have had quite the impression. Color me impressed at this turn of events. Why is it that you wanted to serve His Majesty’s court? It is quite the lofty goal for anyone to aspire to.” The woman placed a hand on her cheek as she watched me closely.

I nodded and took a moment to think, of course I couldn’t speak of my true purpose of being here but there were other reasons, “My master had always aspired to serve in a court of the nobility. He unfortunately reached a point of skill where he was able to serve a family for his remaining years but he grew too old to travel through the roads to get closer to the capital. I haven’t heard from him in some years so I assume he has shed the mortal coil and now lives with the gods.”

“Are you a religious man, Sir Talespinner?” She could see the obvious signs of my religious symbols upon my neck but the thoughts that I could be some pretender probably occurred to her.

“I believe in all the gods, at the king’s behest I even went to the grand church and sought for the blessings of all the gods. Is he also a religious man?” Though it might be seen as impolite it might be smart to get more information on my newest benefactor.

“His prayers can last an entire day. When news of the war broke into the court he called a priest of every god and had a grand procession in the castle for all the nobles to come to day and pray to the gods for the betterment of the whole kingdom. I assume he hopes they will bless us to win this war in their divine judgment. Our transgressors are known to believe in a different god. One that doesn’t have siblings to quibble with.” She sighed at the end of her statement.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Are you a religious woman?” I looked at her closely trying to see any lies she might be saying.

“No, I am not. I don’t think the gods will watch over us, I believe they have given destiny into our hands and it is up to us to seize the day. I find the thought of handing fate to other beings as a silly thing to do.” She closed her eyes as she relaxed further in my presence. No doubt finding me so far from being a threat that she needn’t worry.

“I see, though I can understand where your thoughts are coming from. Have you ever heard of someone being called by the gods? Brought upon great quests in order to accomplish things in this world.” I leaned forward now probing further into her thoughts and actions.

“I have, though it seems that it hasn’t happened in generations. No heroes have risen to save the day.” She rolled upon her side and slid down the fainting couch a little propping her head up with one arm as she melted into relaxation. No doubt whatever she was smoking earlier was taking effect. “Though, it seems Duke Ursal is doing a great job on the front he is serving on.”

“I haven’t heard anything about the war front. I hope that the young Duke is doing well. He was an excellent host and was kind and well spoken. Especially for his age. His mother is doing a great job raising a good man.” I noted as I leaned back trying to reflect her relaxed body posture while being as respectful as possible.

Her eyes scanned me as we spoke. Looking for something, “I thank you for saving my sister’s child. Besides being part of the court. I’m sure that there is something you might desire. A woman, a man, name it and I will do my best to help you realize that reality.” As she spoke I felt an instinct kick in. This was a trap, something to find out what I truly desired from working here.

I didn’t dare tell the truth and wished for access into the library. I needed to be sneakier about that and keep that desire secret. I would have to make something up. Something to replace what I truly desired. “I would like to be given some sort of party where I can be part of where I show my skills. A time to tell a tale to the court and show what I offer now as a minstrel.”

“I shall make it so. Though it will be a few weeks before I can arrange something. For now though I will tell the others that you have fine skills and that they should summon you for entertainment. Now, I grow tired of entertaining someone. You may leave, though tonight you will return and entertain my younger children. Await my summons.” I watched as I walked away how she melted into the couch and soon was asleep. Someone so willing to be vulnerable was either foolish, or confident.

I would have to know which one she was. I was grateful that she hadn’t tried anything untowards. When we entered and she was enjoying opium by the smell of it I thought it would cloud her judgment and make her more brazen like Heather had been. I would have to make sure and not fall into another trap.

I used my memory to make my way back to the lesser court section of the castle. I watched as all the guards moved about the castle and watched how serious they were. I assumed that this must be a more alert set of guards after the recent attempt I had orchestrated on Edward. Though this would complicate my life I had the time to be patient while here. I just needed to find my way into the library when there was no one watching me.

It was time to bide my time. I didn’t know how many days it would take for me to find my information.

I sat in my new room and steepled my fingers while thinking about the situation I was now in. It was time to make a list of things I would need to accomplish.

One, ingratiate myself to one of the scholars so that they would be able to either bring me the books I was looking for or would sneak me into the library to begin studying the journals of the royal family. I hoped that they assumed it was safe to keep their knowledge there and not some secret journals hidden away in someone’s chambers.

Two, become a well known part of the court so that I would have the protection of the royal family and the castle while the members of the Blood Hunt were on my trail. The fact that it took too long for me to recognize and finish the scroll made it clear that I would be find sooner or later.

Three, stop using magic so often so that I could recuperate what I had spent in saving my own life from a fever. The fragility of the human body I had lived so long in was too apparent to me now. It would be best if I could find some way to strengthen what couldn’t be seen.

Four, relearn how to play the lute with my mangled hand. Though the injury wasn’t permanent it was a glaring gap in my knowledge that I had never attempted to use my other hand. To think I had lived millenia without trying to perfect the use of both hands made me feel incredibly foolish.

Five, learn who everyone was in the court and who would be calling on my most. Meeting Lucina, the second wife of the king had shown that there was a level of skill these nobles had in unwinding meaning in conversations. Though she was drugged her eyes were still sharp until the opium became too powerful for her mind to adjust.

Lastly, use all of this to find either the remains of Profitable or his surviving body. The prosperity of this kingdom showed that either they had found a way to receive the blessings of Sondet even though the gods seemed to be weakening. One day, I would be in charge of keeping the world safe. I hoped that one of them would survive. I wouldn’t want to be alone for eternity without being able to head to the gates of heaven and speak to them in the skies above.

Mind made up I looked at my door, this might take awhile.