“How hardening to the heart it must be to do this thing: to change an innocent soaring being into a bundle of struggling rags and pain.”

Iris Murdoch

Alianna stood on one of the balconies that was connected to her bedroom. There were three balconies, each facing a different part of the Catha-Dral, a name which sounded so alien, yet so familiar to her. The warm night air whipped her blond hair back. Long golden tresses kept in check by the glittering Tiara that was woven into them. She imagined what she would look like standing there, to someone looking up from the ground. Regal and powerful, in command of all she saw below her, but inside she felt like a caged animal.

“This isn't me, I'm not Keri, I'm no better than these people, so how can I think that I can rule them. Rulers have to make horribly tough decisions, ones that can send people to their deaths, I can't do that. I couldn't even kill the small animals that we ate for food until I was forced to when Jaius got sick, and even then I gave the job right back to him once we both felt better. But yet I was ready to kill Theric if he threatened me, I was ready to kill Nisa just because she thought to have the nerve to end my life too. I wished Keri would die, and now it looks like she is really sick. What am I turning into?”

All this came out as a soft whisper, carried off by the wind. As the former Hyeress came to mind Alianna glanced slightly over her shoulder. She didn't have to see the girl to know that she was standing there just inside the door to the balcony. Silently she waited for Alianna's next command.

“She would have killed me, without hesitation, she would have let Theric kill me in who knows what awful way, and then gone right on with her feast as if nothing had happened. Doesn't she deserve the treatment I have given her, and worse. Hasn't she earned an even harsher fate? Yes, yes she has and more, but why then do I feel pity for her. Even as I yell at her and chastise her, my heart cringes for her, like it would if my best friend was getting scolded by her mother. Is that what I've turned into, some haggard mother who yells at her children for the smallest offense? And then there is also this deepening, nagging, feeling that I know her.”

She shook her head, trying to loose the grip those thoughts had on her mind. She had more pressing matters to deal with. She looked at the center of the town where a wooden fence was being completed in the town square. A few men were testing the gate to make sure it closed and latched. This turned her thoughts to what the fenced in area was for. She would never have thought that this far flung world would have similar animals to earth. But hopefully soon Ye'tul would return with the Horuses and she could begin to build up her forces. She was sure Maleric would not know about mounted Knights, based on the shocked look of her advisers when she told them about her plan.

As if thinking about the Horuses summoned them, she heard the familiar clop clop of hooves coming into town. There was Ye'tul and his men leading two dozen Creatures into the town. It was too dark to get any better sight of them except passing glimpses as they crossed into the light from a house. She sighed with relief when she saw them enter the town. With a smile on her face she turned and went back into the room. Nisa bowed as she walked past her. Alianna looked at her.

“Bring us our cloak, and gather the Guard. We are going out to the square to see what Captain Ye'tul has brought us.” The girl bowed and then went to the wardrobe and pulled out a red velvet cloak and fastened it around Ali's shoulder's. She had been using the royal “we” since she first sat on the Thron in an attempt to make herself seem as powerful as she could.

Once Niss was sure it was placed right, she went to the door, opened it and spoke softly to the guards outside. One of them went running off down the hall, the other two turned and faced each other across the opening of the door. Alianna moved forward and stood between them. When she reached that point the men turned sharply and faced straight ahead. She began to walk regally forward. The men kept pace with her, stepping in regimented unison with her gait. Nisa followed demurely behind her.

When they reached the main doors six more guards waited, Two of them opened the doors as she walked past without missing a step, the rest surrounded her once they got outside. She began to sing and the purple stone that adorned her tiara began to glow. As she finished a silvery outline formed around her, it was as bright as moonlight and lit the way ahead, but she had also learned that it would protect her from weapons. Theric had been bringing her her dinner one night a week ago. Thankfully she had been practicing using the crystal and the barrier had been up. He tripped, knocked over the cart and a sharp knife from the cart flew right at her heart. The blade glanced harmlessly off the barrier and hit the floor. She couldn't bring herself to kill Theric, but there was something in his eyes that made her doubt the knife was an accident. He was currently in the dungeon chained to a wall, she thought she may have to leave him there until after she rescues Jaius.

A voice brought her out of her thoughts. “My Hyerss, it has been done as you ordered, twenty horuses brought from the far plains. The way you instructed us to rope them worked perfectly. It took a week for them to calm down enough to follow us, the techniques that you showed us are truly the only reason we stand before you with them.” Said Ye’tul as he bowed before her. She stepped forward and stopped a few feet from him. He was bowed at the waist, left arm bent across his broad chest, his right arm sweeping his cloak back, and he stayed that way as if frozen into a statue. He was much taller than her, and as strong as her father. She had no illusion that he could end her life very quickly, yet she felt absolutely safe with him. So much so, that even with the power of the Thron to protect her, she had felt afraid for her life in the weeks that he had been gone. She stared at the shimmering breast plate that he wore and the glittering cloak she had had made for him and his men from some of the extra body suits that they had. She believed that her singing would effect those too, that when they rode together she might be able to protect them better. “You have done well Ye'Tul, We are very pleased. You may rise and show us our Horuses.”

Ye'Tul rose and there was the slightest line to his lips, which she assumed was a smile. “This way My Hyerss.” He said pointing to the fenced in area. She began walking forward and as she passed him he turned and fell in next to her. One of her other guards fell in on her left and the rest came behind. She did not need to look for Nisa, she knew the girl was right behind her. A few more yards brought her to the gate to the coral. The light from the shield was more than sufficient to illuminate one of the creatures. She stared in awe, aside from hair that was longer, almost shaggy, the creature looked like a Clydesdale. It stood at least 6 feet tall if not more, and even though it had been tamed, she could still see the fire of freedom in its big brown eyes. “I need to make sure that that fire doesn't die, for them, or for me.”

“Ye'Tul, have a few of your men rouse those who work with metal and leather. We need them to make something if we are to ride these creatures into battle.” “Yes Hyerss.” She heard him bark an order to his men, but what he said was lost to her as she stared into the big brown eyes of the Horuse in front of her. She could hear two heartbeats coming from it. At first she thought perhaps the creature had two hearts, but one was beating so much faster than the other. Then it hit her, this was a female horuse and she had a baby inside. Realizing that this creature was of the same gender seemed to spark a connection with it for her. Before she could think of the consequences she opened the latch and went inside. She could feel the creature tense as she neared it. She slowed, with her hands open in front of her. She took off the Tiara and the field faded from around her. She felt like some kind of heaviness in her Soul, like a weight lifted off of her when she did but she was too lost in those large brown eyes to think much of it. She handed the crown behind her and the petite hands she knew would be there took it from her. She heard him leap the fence and stand right near her, but she did not react to his presence.

She began to sing, humming a tune that she had long ago forgotten the words to, trying to fill her voice with the peace the song was bringing to her. It must have been a lullaby that her mother had sung to her. Tears began to leak out from behind the mask she had placed over her emotions as she thought of her mother. She shut her eyes to stop them. She tried to push the emotions back, tried with all her might, but suddenly there was a warm, soft, something touching her cheek. It felt so much like when her mother kissed her on the cheek that she instinctively reached out and threw her arms around something that definitely wasn't her mom, but right then she didn't care, she buried her face into the warm softness and let the tears form.

She heard a noise like a horse’s nickering and this brought her back to the reality of what she must look like to the rest. She let go of the softness quickly and looked up to see those big brown eyes looking at her, she could feel that it had sensed the connection too. As she began to back up, scared of what weakness she may have shone, She could begin to hear him breathing from behind her. “My Hyerss, are you alright?” She turned around, sure that she would see half the village looking at her and laughing, but instead the only ones there were Ye'Tul and Nisa. She took a deep breath and then tried to give him a very commanding stare. “We are fine, Ye'Tul. Where are the rest of your men? “ I sent them to prepare for your return, Hyress. For when you wished to retire for the night.” She had not told him to do that. Fear bloomed at this personal imitative that he took, could she have misread him. Was he still loyal to Nisa and had sent the others away so he could kill her? She looked at Nisa holding the Tiara and Ye’Tul standing infront of her. Fear began to turn to anger, but just before she let him have it, something in his voice caught her up short. He seemed to be implying more than he had said. Then it hit her, he hadn't been planning to harm her, he had been protecting her, from his Men seeing her weakness. She knew then that she really could trust this man with her life,

She smiled. “Thank you Ye'Tul for anticipating that need. You have shown that I can trust your judgments.” Before any more emotions could spill out she turned to the mare, and let them feed into her. To hide them. “You will be our steed.” She said loudly “I will name you Emily” “Ye'Tul, set a guard around the coral. Especially Emily, she is with young and I want nothing to harm her.” “It will be as you say Hyerss.” She turned back to him and nodded. Behind him she could see two of his men standing with a group of six people. She held out her hand to Nisa and the crown was placed gently in her hand. The people looked as if they had come right from bed. “Please, come here, and we will describe what we need you to make.”

She showed them what she was talking about and saw them looking intently. A seat made of leather that sat over the Horuses back and fit snugly with a leather strap. She made it plain that the seat had to hold a full grown man with armor. “This is your only task until it is completed, And they must be completed as quickly as possible.” They bowed low, all except one man. He didn't bow as low as the others. He did join them, however, when they said. “It will be as you command Hyress.” As they bowed when they said this, he definitely did not bow as low as the others.

Something about him bothered Ali, but it was late and it could be that she was just tired. She could see his body covered in many tattoos. She had not seen many of the townsfolk with such tattoos, and this bothered her. She had to concede that it had been a month or more since she had really felt tired in any way. “You may go then. Sleep well, and please start working in the morning. They all nodded and walked away. “Ye'Tul” “Yes Hyress?” “That man on the left, the one wearing the long leather outer garment, and has the many tattoos, Who is he?” “That is Besnin my lady, he is a worker of leather. He arrived from the west not long after the clan settled here.” Alianna stared deeply at his back. As if trying to see if there was a monster that was in him. “Is anything the matter Hyress?” Said Ye'Tul as he followed her gaze toward Besnin. “Shall I halt them?” Alianna broke her gaze away from Besnin and turned to Ye'Tul. “No Ye'Tul it is fine,” Then she remembered one young woman in particular. She had wide eyed as she looked at Alianna, and seemed to hang on top of Ali's every word. Maybe that meant she would be loyal to her. She would have to talk to her to see if she thought she was trustworthy. She needed an eyes and ears among the people. “Ye'tul. have that young woman on the right the one with her hair in a braid, have her brought to us first thing tomorrow.” He bowed “She will be waiting for you when you ascend the Thron tomorrow Hyress.” Alianna nodded her head. “Good, We are retiring now Ye'tul, please make sure your men secure this coral and stand guard over it.” “Yes, Hyress, it will be as you say.” “Ye'tul, I also want you to chose two of your best men that did not go with you to stand guard over me tonight. You and your men have traveled many long days, and have done very well, and deserve a nights sleep. Also, you, and your men will have dinner with us tonight in the grand hall as a reward for your loyalty. You will sit next to me Captain, in the seat of honor.”

She did not give him a chance to respond. She turned and headed toward the gate. She could have sworn she saw Nisa's eyebrow quickly descending back into its normal place. “She better not have made the gesture that I think she did.” Ali stopped next to her. “Hand me the tiara.” She said coldly. Nisa handed her the crown and Alianna took it and set it on her head. She then leaned in close to Nisa. “Do not let me see your eyes leave the ground for the rest of the night.” She said in a whisper to the girl. She did not look at Nisa, she stood facing straight ahead. Once she had spoken, and heard the appropriate “Yes my Hyress'' She nodded her head and started walking forward. Three men formed up around her and escorted her back to the main building. They escorted her back to her room. Once inside and the door had been shut she turned to look at Nisa who's eyes were fixed on the ground. “Nisa, go to the kitchens and tell Mistress Mol, that I will be having a special private dinner in the grand hall tonight for eight honored guests.” “Yes Heyress.” “Nisa, do not forget, your eyes are not to leave the floor.” “Yes Hyress”

Alianna then turned and moved toward the balcony toward the back of her room that looked out over her own private garden. Behind her she could hear the door open and then shut softly. She moved out onto the balcony and looked out again, trying to imagine what the rest of this world looked like. Were there massive oceans, or large deserts? Frozen tundra, or a climate type that she had never read about before. “What am I doing? Trying to rule a people, like an adult would. When in the world did I think I had become an adult, or think that I was an adult. I've delved so far into the personalities of all the Queen's I've ever read about, is it possible that I've lost myself?” She looked out straining to see beyond, back to her home, back to that shut door in her mind. The one that led to her room where she had seen herself sleeping contently with Mr. Bear.

“Why, Why God, Why am I here, Why did this happen?” “I don't know what I'm doing.” She whispered. She felt an urge to keep going with those thoughts to press into them to cry out to God as she had so many nights before when she felt lost, but just as that urge was taking hold she shook her head and looked down and took a breath. “I have to keep going, I have to save Jaius...and myself.” She turned her thoughts away from that line of thinking and turned to that man, Bisnin. Perhaps he was just tired, and didn't bow low enough. But there had been a sense of indifference about his movements. Could he have liked the other Hyress,? Could he be mad that Alianna had taken over? Or could he have a different reason for not respecting her? “I need to take steps, steps beyond armed guards. I need some ladies in waiting, especially ones that look like me, Like this Queen Amidala had around her from that Star Wars movie that Jaius told me about, "When we are in public I can masquerade as one of the ladies and so I can obverse matters around us more closely.”

Another part of her brain must have turned to what to wear to the dinner tonight, because when she stopped thinking about the ladies in waiting, she found herself standing before the wardrobe holding a very elegant peach colored dress, made out of what felt like silk. The beauty of the dress filled her mind, washing the other thoughts away. Even her best Sunday dress couldn't hold a stitch to this one, and this was just one of many. “I bet this is what Keri feels like all the time. Deciding what the cool style of the day is.” She lost no time in putting it on. She twirled in the mirror.

Just then there was a knock at the door. “Who is it?' “It is Nisa, Hyress. I have completed my task.” “Come in Nisa.” She opened the door and walked in. Alianna turned to see her enter and saw the girl's hand was clutching a cloth to her head. It was a white cloth, but there was red staining it. “Dinner will be ready shortly, My Hyress.” Alianna could hear the pain twinging her voice. “She must have hit her head because of what I had ordered her to do.” She wanted to scream, someone had been hurt because of what she told them to do. Months ago this would have eaten her alive, but now she just stood there in cold indifference. “What's happening to me!” She yelled into her head. “What happened?”

“I am sorry Hyress, I wasn't paying attention and ran into the corner of the Kitchen counter. Mistress Mol gave me this so that I wouldn't bleed all over her floor. I thanked her for her generosity.”

“She blessed you more than you deserve for not keeping your mind on your task. You will clean the floors in the Kitchen tonight after dinner and after they leave. I want them to shine when I come down tomorrow. As for right now you will stand back by my bed and attend me with whatever I need.”

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“Yes Hyress. It will be as you say.” Nisa bowed, and turned and went back and stood by the wall next to her bed. Ali turned and looked once more in the mirror. “Did I really just do that? Did I...” Her thought was interrupted as there was a knock at the door and the voice of one of the Guards came from the other side. “All is prepared in the grand hall Hyress.” “Thank you Kenic, please inform the Captain and the other guards who went with him to make their way to the hall. I will be joining them shortly.” She said as she began to work on her hair. “It will be as you say Hyress.” She could hear the man turn and walk briskly down the hall. After about twenty more minutes she had everything the way she wanted. She set the Tiara with the large purple crystal set in it on her head and admired herself in the mirror. She picked up the crystal knife that she always kept close to her. It was the first crystal she had used and also, it reminded her of Jaius. She thought of how important he had become to her since they got here. She thought of the many nights they had spent sitting with their legs dangling over the lip of the Hole. They would sit quietly looking around, but then there would be times their eyes would meet and they would stay that way for she didn’t know how long. She would search his eyes, trying to understand him. Was he good? Could she trust him? Over the last weeks he had answered both those questions with a resounding yes. He was always there to encourage her or help her cut through her panic. He had helped her so much when she was sick. She really couldn’t imagine her life without him anymore, especially as it looked like Paltophern had become their permanent home.

Everything ready she turned and looked at Nisa, and again the pangs of guilt tried to worm its way into her heart, but the stony covering over her heart had begun to thicken and she was able to more easily put it down. “Come Nisa, we are going to the hall.” Nisa curtsied as best she could and moved to open the door. Two guards snapped to attention. Kenic who had spoken earlier, bowed to her. “The captain and his men await you Hyress.” “Very good Kenic. You may escort us to the hall now.” Kenic straightened and placed his arm across his chest. “Yes Hyress.” The man turned on his heel and waited till she drew next to him. Once she did he began to walk down the hall searching for danger. She could hear Nisa walking softly behind her and the other guard Elric closing the door to her room. Soon they stood before the doors to the grand hall. Alianna always marveled inwardly at their size and the beautiful craftsmanship of the thick wood overlaid with crystal designs. “You may announce us Kenic, then go and assist Madam Mol with bringing the dinner.” The man bowed again and then straightened. “It will be as you say Hyress.” He pushed on one of the doors and it moved open. “All rise as the Hyress approaches the Thron.” He said in a commanding voice. He then bowed to her and walked backwards away from her for a few feet then turned and moved toward the kitchens. She could see Ye'Tul and his seven Knights standing in the center of the room. They all turned to look as Kenic's voice boomed. Ye'Tul scanned the room, looking always for any sign of danger, he hesitated just briefly on Nisa but then went right to Alianna. He and his men wore a black shirt with a White rose on it, and leather pants with silver inlays. The white rose was her symbol. It meant that they were part of her Elite Guard.

Ye'Tul and his men bowed. “Thank you for this great honor Hyress. We have no words that can express the gratitude in our hearts.” She shook her head a little, to shake away his overt humility. “Ye'tul your thank you is sufficient. You and your men served us very well and You deserve recognition for this.”

The door opened again and, Kenic, steeped in and bowed. “Hyress, the dinner is here.” She nodded to him. “Bring it in Kenic and then shut the door, and do not disturb us, unless the matter is very important.” “Yes Hyress.” The man went out into the hall and then he, and another guard Lin, brought in a table covered in a cloth set out with plates and utensils and glasses. They then left and brought in another table laden with food and drink. Madam Mol was right behind him with two of her servers, the two red headed twins she saw when she first got to the Catha Dral. As Kenic moved toward the door Madam Mol moved to start serving her and the men. Alianna stood and held her hand out to Madam Mol. The woman stopped and a bead of sweat trickled down her cheek. She leaned in and whispered to her. “That will not be necessary madame Mol, We shall be serving them tonight.” The woman's mouth fell open before she could catch it and herself, and just as quickly her hand flew to her mouth. “You and your ladies may stay to the side in-case something else is needed.” The woman dropped her hand, curtsied, and then moved back toward the wall. Kenic stood waiting at the main open doors. She nodded to him and motioned for the door. He bowed again and he and Lin left and shut the door. “Please, all of you, sit.” she said motioning to the men with her hands. The men sat down.

She then went over to the table with the food and picked up a decanter filled with what she had come to the conclusion was a form of wine. She didn't drink a lot of it, but had to drink more than she ever would have dared at home. She walked over to Ye'tul first and opened the top and poured him a glass. He began to rise out of his chair. “Is there a problem Ye'tul?” She said in a questioning, yet commanding voice. The man looked shaken, for the first time since she had know him. “I...forgive me Hyress it is just...It is I, we, who should be serving you.” He said moving his arm to take in his men. Each man nodding in agreement. The same look of struggle on their faces, warring between their desire to serve her and their oath to follow her commands. “Ye'tul when we tell you to sit down, we expect you to stay in your seat. If we chose to serve you and your men as part of your reward are you truly going to contend with our wishes?” The man immediately sat back down. “No, of course not Hyress.” After a moment each man nodded his head in turn. “Captain Ye'tul, my brave knights, for this night, and this night only, you may all address me as Alianna.” She saw them begin to pale and Ye'tul's lips began to split as if to make a protest, but then he clamped down and nodded. “We shall do as you ask My Hy....Alianna.” She smiled and nodded. “Good.” She felt this warmth in her heart as she heard someone else using her name again. It had been awhile, and it also helped her to realize how deep into the Hyress persona she had begun to slip. She so desperately wanted to be just Alianna again, but the current situation demanded the Hyress.

She went back to the table and prepared a plate for him and took it to him and then for the rest of the men also. Then she stood and prepared herself a plate and poured herself a glass of the drink that the people had called Goneet and then sat down next to him. She asked him to relate the story of how they found and caught the Horuses.

After they had finished both diner and story, she motioned for them to take their glasses and join in a toast. “To my brave Knights. You do all that I ask of you and more so. You were able to procure these powerful creatures at the risk of your own lives and I applaud your bravery and skill. You are worthy of the name of Knight of the White Rose and you have earned my respect and favor.” She held her glass high as did they and they all drank to the toast. She had dropped the royal we, for this night to further distance herself from the Hyress.

She then turned to look at Ye'Tul. “And to Captain Ye'Tul, who is a shining example of what a Knight should be. Strong, courageous, chivalrous, and selfless. He is an example to his men and to the people of what a true servant of mine should look like. All the rest of you have a great example in your Captain.” She looked deep into his eyes as she lifted the glass in the air and then drank. All she could see is respect, concern, loyalty. She took a chance, one she had known she would have to take if she was going to survive. “Captian Ye'Tul and the rest of my brave Knights, you have proven your loyalty, and I see your hearts are true, but, how far can I trust you, how deep will you bury my confidences?” She could tell of all the statements they had tried to anticipate, what she had said was not one of them. Ye'Tul was the first to recover and looked to all of the other men, who after a moment of shock, nodded their heads. “Alianna, we will serve you till we die doing so, and we will take a library full of your confidences to the grave with us. Your rule is hard, but with these people it needs to be, but we have also seen your heart and know that it also holds compassion. That is what a ruler needs. We will follow you even if you journeyed beyond this world.” It was her turn to be taken aback, although she showed no sign of it on her face. “Compassion? I have been treating everyone as less than me, especially Nisa, how can he see compassion. Compassion would require a ruler to know what they are doing, I have no Idea what I'm doing.”

She let this question flow through her mind as they concluded dinner. She confided in them her thoughts and plan for them as her Knights and personal Guard. She also told them her plan for the ladies in waiting so that they would be aware of where she was in-case there was danger. When she finished Ye'Tul looked at her. “Your plan has much merit Alianna, but you alone have the correct hair and eyes, how will you make up the decoy to look like you?” She looked at him, trying to determine his response, but quickly decided he was just being protective. “It is one of the benefits of the Horuses Ye'Tul. The hair from their tails and main can be made into a blonde wig and those that shape the crystals have confirmed that they can make blue lenses to color the eyes. Also I will begin to wear elaborate outfits and face makup that will draw attention away from hair and eyes. Until another way can be found, that is the best we can do. My ladies will wear hoods and I too will have brown lenses in my eyes.” Ye'Tul nodded. “You are wise in all ways Alianna. We will do all that is possible to make sure the charade succeeds.” “I know that you will Captain. Now, I must retire for the night, for there is much to do tomorrow.” Ye'tul nodded and motioned to his men. All the men nodded and rose. They clasped their closed fists across their chests and bowed. They then turned almost as one and marched towards the large doors. Before he got to far away she called out to Ye'tul.

“One more thing Ye'tul, before you go.” The man stopped and turned back to her. She moved over to him after motioning Mistress Mol and the other ladies to clear the table. “You mentioned that I have compassion. Why do you think that?”

He looked down at her, a bit quizzically. “You did not immediately kill the girl or Theric. She would have most assuredly killed you, and so would he given the chance. Fear not though, he will never harm you. My men know what to do in regards to him. I know he serves your purposes right now, but there will come a point where you will need to remove him from this place. He bides his time, and plots. I know of most of his schemes, but what concerns me, are the ones that I don't know about.” This all came as news to her, but the more she thought about it the more it made sense.

“Tomorrow, please tell me all you know of his plots.”

“I will give you a full report, Alianna.”

“Ye'Tul, do..do you think that I treat Nisa too harshly?” He looked at her trying to read her intention with the question.

“She needs to be broken down Alianna, but everyone has a limit. If your goal is to destroy her, then I would say to keep on as you are, but if you wish to keep her, then I would allow her to see a small part of your compassion. She could be valuable in the role of your decoy, but only if you give her some leniency. Fear can control Alianna, but eventually it will reduce the person to rubble, or Iron. There needs to be a bit of mercy mixed in, and trust, if you are to trust them with your life.”

“Thank you, Ye'Tul, I will think on what you have said. One more thing, tomorrow, I do not wish to just speak with just that young woman that I indicated to you, but I would like to speak to all of the young woman in the town to check to see which ones will join the ranks of my Ladies.”

“ I will have them here Alianna.”

She smiled. “Thank you.” He bowed. “It is my honor to serve. Goodnight Alianna.”

“Good night Ye-tul”.

He turned and headed toward the door. As his hand reached the handle she called out again. “One last thing Ye'tul. call me mistress E’llen and have her come to my rooms, and have two of your men place a comfortable bed in the room next to mine, along with a vanity. Then go to the kitchens and send Nisa to my rooms. Have her wait one half hour to come to me. Give her a bandage and ointment when you send her.” “I will do so Alianna.” He bowed, and then pulled open the door.

Once he was gone and mistress Mol was leaving with the other two girls. She stopped and looked at Mistress Mol. “Mistress Mol.” The woman froze as she was reaching for the door handle, the other two becoming like statues next to her. But when Mistress Mol turned and bowed and they did also. “How may we serve you my Hyress?” She moved over to them and lifted the woman's head. The woman straightened as did the others. “We wish to commend you and your staff for the meal tonight, it was perfect. You run the kitchens well Mistress Mol.” The woman blushed as did the other two. “We are so grateful to know that it was to your expectations, My Hyress.”

Alianna nodded and then her tone became just a bit firm. “Mistress Mol, ladies, all that you heard and saw tonight does not leave this hall, do you understand?” The woman nodded repeatedly and bowed. “Yes My Hyress, not a word will ever leave our mouths about tonight.” The other girls bowed and said in unison. “It will stay secret with us till they place us in the ground, Our Hyress.” She looked them all up and down for a few moments then nodded. “One more thing, you two, please be present tomorrow morning here in the hall during breakfast, I may have an additional role for you both. The two girls looked at eachother with wide eyes and then turned back to Alianna. “It will be as you wish our Hyress.” They said in unison.

“Good. Now go, and may your night be peaceful.” They bowed again and responded. “May all your days be filled with joy and peace, our Hyress.” They bowed again and left the room. She turned and looked at the large crystal chair at the far end of the room. She touched the shard of it that adorned her tiara. “What terrible power it has, but it is all that is keeping me alive.” She said softly as images of Theric being blown off the dais, and the beam that disintegrated part of the ceiling and she shivered slightly. She then turned and left the room and Kenic and Lin fell in next to her and escorted her to her rooms.

Once the door shut to her room she moved back to the ledge of the balcony and looked out over the garden. She let the cool night air, and the sounds of the night animals, drift through her. Twenty minutes later she heard the door open and a woman’s voice called out. “I have come as you have asked my Hyress.” Said madam E’llen. Alianna turned and saw the woman. She was thin and short of stature, not even five feet tall, but Alianna knew that she ruled the housekeeping staff with a will of Iron. She had the presence of a woman of her Nana's age, but she also looked like a woman in her mid 20's. Alianna knew she had to tread lightly with this woman. She seemed loyal to the core, but if she showed too much weakness she was afraid this woman might place her over her knee and spank her.

“Mistress E’llen.” The woman bowed and came to listen to what Alianna would request off her. “Please instruct your staff to outfit the room next to mine with linens and towels and pillows. I have in mind what kind of dresses I would like in the closet, please tell me if you have anything similar.” She described what she was thinking and Madam E'llen nodded. “We have some of what you wish for Hyress, the rest can be made.” Alianna nodded. “In the room next to mine place in the closet what you have, and then you will attend us tomorrow and we will give you details on the rest.” The woman bowed. “It will be as you say My Hyress.” If taking orders from a teenager grated at this woman, she showed no sign of it. “Also, I had talked with all the craft workers when we first ascended the Thron. I asked a woman with red hair and only nine fingers to make me something, please find her and have it brought to the room you are preparing and have it set on the bed before the half of the hour fades.” The woman bowed ‘I will have it there in a quarter of an hour, my Hyress.” “Good, you may go about these tasks now, I need all of this completed within the hour.” As the woman stood back up Ali looked into her eyes and she could see intelligence there, a mind that analyzed everything. Alianna knew the woman was breaking her down in her mind and analyzing everything about her. “One more thing Mistress E’llen, have a new body suit brought to that same room and lay it on the bed. She said pointing to the fabric that covered her arm. “Yes my Hyress, it will be as you say.” The woman backed away and did not turn her back to Ali until she left the room.

Once the door shut she turned to the balcony, and finally let herself process the emotions that had been flooding her. The concern she had had for how hard she had become weighed heavily on her mind. Ye’Tul’s words had reminded her of who she had been just two months before, completely unable to even make fun of a boy on the playground, and now she was treating another girl horribly because she may, or may not have killed her if she hadn’t of defeated her. It seems though as Ye’Tul’s council seemed to be pushing the old Alianna up, some other force seemed to be pushing that old Alianna down. It was like a great pressure coming from just above her head.

Lost in trying to describe this struggle she did not hear the door to her room open, nor the footsteps on the carpet. She did not know that she wasn't alone until a shadow fell upon her from the doorway. “I have come as you have directed Hyress.” Said Nisa from the doorway. Alianna took a deep breath and turned. She saw Nisa there, holding bandages, a cloth under one arm, a bottle under the other, and a basin of water in her hands. The girl's eyes were focused on the ground, the gash on her head was still oozing. Pity flooded her heart, though she tried to restrain it. Alianna pointed to the room. “Go, place the implements on my bed, and then sit down on the bed.” Nisa paused ever so slightly, before nodding and saying. “It will be as you wish Hyress.” As the guilt tried to overwhelm her cool she turned and looked once more on the peaceful garden. She drew a deep breath and let it out as she then sighed and went into the room.

She found Nisa sitting on her bed, hands folded on her lap. Her eyes were locked on the floor and the basin and other implements were on the bed next to her. Alianna moved to stand in front of her. She took the cloth and dipped it in the water. “Nisa, look at me.” The girl hesitated, but then slowly raised her head. The wound looked so red, swollen and painful, Ali's heart almost broke open right there as those eyes came up to meet her’s and betrayed hurt and sorrow that ran into deep chasms, somehow she was able to keep her composure. She raised the wet cloth up and ever so gently touched the wound. Nisa flinched though she obviously tried to conceal it. “I'm sorry Hyress, forgive me.” “It is okay Nisa, this may sting, but I will try to be gentle.” Nisa's mouth dropped, but quickly closed. Ali tried again, and this time, even though her eyes closed tight, Nisa endured the cloth to be wiped over the wound. The scabs broke loose and blood and puss sprung forth from the wound. Ali continued to dip the cloth, ring it and wipe until, only red blood flowed from the wound. Then she took the bandage and a fresh cloth, and she wadded the cloth up and smothered ointment all over it. She then gently placed the cloth on the wound. “Hold the cloth Nisa.” The girl complied, putting pressure on the wound. Alianna then took the bandage and began to wrap it around the girls head. After a few rotations she tied it off in the back.

When she was finished, Nisa looked back down to the ground. Ali looked at her and sighed. “Nisa, Look at me.” “But Hyress, you told me...” “I told you to look at me!” Nisa cringed, but then looked up. “I am giving you the room right next to mine. It has a bed and closet. Go sleep in it tonight. Rest and make yourself well, and be prepared to serve me tomorrow, once I rise. Do you understand?” The girl looked at her in awe, and tears began to leek out of her eyes. All she could do is nod her head. Alianna smiled briefly. “Good, now go.” Nisa bowed, and then dropped down and took the basin and bowl and all the other implements with her.

As Nisa opened the door to her new room, she saw the soft bed and blankets, and table and wardrobe. But what made her heart leap in her chest was a brand new body suit laying on the bed and next to it, a soft fluffy stuffed bear that sat on the pillow. The Hyress had not only given her a room of her own, but also a friend. With tears in her eyes she rushed to the bed, and fell into the soft folds and pulled the bear close to her