Agent of the Dragon

Much to her feigned annoyance, Rhysa discovered Elise was right. There was something exciting about looking at what people were selling and imagining what she would do with the varied items. Elise looked on smugly as Rhysa eagerly looked over the wares the jewelers had for sale, and laughed outright at Rhysa’s bemusement at the sheer amount and varieties of clothing available for purchase. They ate lunch at one of Elise’s favorite street-side cafés.

When they finally returned to the city guard offices to pick up the requested information, Rhysa’s bewilderment easily passed for the ‘fluff’ act she’d used earlier. Elise snickered most of the way home, and Rhysa finally joined in and admitted Elise had been right--Rhysa had never actually gone shopping, before.

When they got home, the friends were surprised to find the house buzzing with frenetic energy. Slaves and servants filled the halls and passages like ants in a kicked ant mound. Rhysa hurried to her room to put away the information for later. Elise disappeared into the chaos. When Rhysa next saw Elise making her way through the halls, Elise wore a sword.

“Have you figured out what this is all about?” asked Elise.

“No, but I haven’t actually asked anyone yet.”

“You’re back. Excellent!” The two friends turned at the battlefield voice slicing through the ordered frenzy. Lady Kasteryn walked towards them, slaves and servants giving way before her, creating a clear space of respect. “I’ve just received an invitation to dine with the Royals tonight. You two are specifically included in the invitation.”

Elise froze and Rhysa’s mind spun frantically, unable to catch hold of any steadying thought. All Rhysa could call to mind was the dizzying array of clothing shops Elise had taken her to this morning.

Lady Kasteryn continued, oblivious to the effects her words had caused. “I’ve sent for Aryn Cavass, one of the best couturieres in the city.” She took Rhysa’s arm, placed a hand on Elise’s shoulder, and guided them to her own rooms.

The doors to Lady Kasteryn’s rooms shut out the bustle in the halls so completely, Rhysa suspected the doors were bespelled. She didn’t bother to check. Her full attention centered on the woman waiting in the room. Time stopped as another of the walls sealing off Rhysa’s memories crumbled to dust.

The last time Rhysa had seen this woman, Rhysa had been about eight years old. Aryn Cavass had another name: Hathorina Macha. And Hathorina Macha had been drinking tea with a dragon. If Rhysa hadn’t been so shocked, she would have laughed at the image. The difference in size between Hathorina and the dragon was absurd. The dragon lay on its belly, legs tucked in like a cat, and its head raised just enough to allow jaw movement for talking. Hathorina sat in an easy chair, holding a cup and saucer, and sipping every now and then. If Rhysa hadn’t had memories of that same dragon, years later, teaching her, the notion of a dragon entertaining a guest in such a manner would have been ludicrous.

Rhysa brought her mind to the present, she would explore those memories later. Hathorina, Aryn now, was just turning to face the new arrivals. When she met Rhysa’s eyes, Aryn’s eyes widened momentarily--shock clear to be read by anyone trained by Jayse Amonteus: shock and the faintest tinge of pain. Aryn shook it off quickly and Rhysa doubted Lady Kasteryn or Elise had seen it.

Lady Kasteryn approached Aryn with Rhysa and Elise in tow. “Thank you for taking this emergency commission, Aryn. I really appreciate it.”

The woman smiled warmly. “Come, now, Amelia. This is what I do.”

Rhysa blinked at the woman’s familiarity with Lady Kasteryn, then stepped forward at Lady Kasteryn’s subtle signal. “This is my apprentice, Rhysa.” She then looked over her shoulder and beckoned to Elise. “And this is Elise, previously a member of my household, and now a guest here.” Aryn smiled and nodded at each introduction.

“It will take about an hour to create each gown.” Aryn’s voice was smooth, quiet, and powerful. On impulse, Rhysa looked at her with Sight. The magical overlay that covered everything was less of an overlay with Aryn; it was more like an infusion; it shone through Aryn’s skin. Rhysa barely suppressed a gasp. Aryn glanced at her, and her mouth twitch slightly. Rhysa dropped the Sight, guilt rouged her face. “Once the gowns are made, it will take another hour to do the detailed fittings for all three.”

Elise gaped and Lady Kasteryn looked pleased. Rhysa nodded slowly, if Aryn had that much magic, she would simply visualize what she wanted and force the cloth into that shape. Lady Kasteryn went with Aryn to an inner chamber.

“An hour?” Elise’s whisper was incredulous.

Rhysa shrugged. “Apparently that’s what she gets paid for.”

Elise paced for the twenty minutes or so Aryn took to measure Lady Kasteryn. When Lady Kasteryn came out, she gestured to Elise. “Your turn.” Elise entered the inner chamber, closing the door behind her.

Lady Kasteryn faced Rhysa. “Now that we’re alone, have you decided what you’re going to do for your journey period?”

Rhysa shook her head. “Not really. Something is telling me this riot investigation is important, but I’m not sure of which option would best allow me to follow up.”

“Hmm. The Royals are likely going to try to recruit you. Probably tonight.”

Rhysa’s thoughts stumbled--again. How could Lady Kasteryn know what the Royals were going to do? Rhysa knew she was good, but she also knew she was far from being master-class in any of the fields she’d been trained in. Why would the Royals want someone just out of training?

Rhysa pulled herself together and saw Lady Kasteryn was watching her. “You undervalue yourself,” said Lady Kasteryn softly. “You’re not overly modest. I know you admit to being skillful, some times highly skillful. Nevertheless, you undervalue yourself. Don’t forget you have a future. Anyone who recruits you will surely be counting on that as much as what you can do now.”

What could people see in her? What did they think she could become? She thought back over her life--what she could remember of it. Her mind settled on her auction. Most of the prospective buyers only saw a beautiful young woman. A few were able to imagine a use for her other than a bed-slave, though mostly ornamental. Only five had shown evidence of seeing beyond her looks. Lady Kasteryn, Lord Hermestus, Lord Amonteus, Prince Hallyk, and Lord Amilar.

Lady Kasteryn and her friends had taken a huge risk by breaking the law and pooling their money to keep Lord Amilar from buying Rhysa. Especially since one of the Royals was present. In order to prevent her potential from being used against the kingdom, Prince Hallyk allowed Lady Kasteryn and her friends to keep Rhysa. One of the Royals, at least, thought her potential was high enough she could become a threat to the kingdom.

It was a startling realization. She met Lady Kasteryn’s gaze and nodded once. If her eyes were a bit wide and her breathing a bit fast, no one could blame her. Lady Kasteryn smiled slightly and kissed Rhysa’s forehead before striding to a bookshelf and selecting a book at random.

Rhysa was about to sit when Elise came out and Aryn beckoned her in. She stepped into the room Aryn was using to measure her clients. Still a little shaken, Rhysa let the door swing to under its own weight, closing her in the room with the woman she knew as Hathorina.

“Well, child, it looks like you managed to not only survive, but land on your feet.” Hathorina’s voice was warm and relieved. “I’m impressed. I didn’t think anyone had survived. The lair was quite thoroughly smashed, and most of it was buried in the cave-in.”

Rhysa stared at Hathorina. Apparently, Hathorina expected Rhysa to know who she was and where she fit in. Slowly, Rhysa shook her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I remember you, except you were called ‘Hathorina,’ or at least that’s what my teacher called you.”

Hathorina’s eyes widened, then narrowed, and then filled with tears. Rhysa felt a slight chill of alarm. “My lady, what....”

“Not ‘My lady,’ child. Never that.” Rhysa could sense the effort Hathorina exerted to keep tears from her voice--she was not entirely successful. Before Rhysa could respond, Hathorina caught Rhysa in a desperate hug. Rhysa felt a couple of tears land on her head. She put her arms around the woman and heard a sob, quickly suppressed, emerge from the woman. Rhysa felt Hathorina trembling.

It didn’t take long for Hathorina to regain control and step away from Rhysa. She looked Rhysa over and shook her head wryly. “And just as hard to read as your father.”

Rhysa’s breath caught. “You know who my father is?”

“Was, child, was. Your father is dead, and yes, I knew him.”

Rhysa felt an odd wrenching deep inside. She didn’t remember her father, and now she would never get to find and meet him. It wasn’t really the loss of a parent, but the loss of the hope for a parent. She ached inside, but before she could spiral down into that emotional maelstrom, an odd thought occurred to Rhysa and she spoke without thinking. “Mother?”

Hathorina’s laugh disappointed Rhysa even as it relieved her. “No, child. I am not your mother, though we are distantly related. But we can discuss this later. I need to take your measurements quickly if I’m to finish in time. Now you stand here. Good. And hold your arms out....”

Rhysa mechanically followed Hathorina’s directions and let Hathorina’s professional chattering wash over her. Her mind reeled from shock after shock after shock. She just couldn’t compass so much life changing information so quickly. Hathorina’s voice soothed her wheeling mind.

When Hathorina stepped back, Rhysa focused on her once more. “Does Lady Kasteryn know? About you as Hathorina, I mean.”

“No. She suspects some of what and who I am, but nowhere near all of it.”

“When can we talk?”

“I don’t know. Aryn Cavass is very much in demand as a couturiere, and not only for my emergency services. Most people are able to plan ahead. Unfortunately, all bets are off if the Royals become involved.”

“How did you know the Royals were involved.”

Hathorina’s smile was gentle. “It’s the only reason I would jump somebody to the top of the priority list. Amelia had to tell me before I would come.” Hahtorina shook her head, dismissing the subject. “I will find time for you, but later. I need to get to work if I’m to fulfill my commission.”

Before Rhysa opened the door, Hathorina added, “Remember, to everyone else, I am Aryn Cavass.”

Rhysa, Elise, and Lady Kasteryn took turns bathing in Lady Kasteryn’s private bathing chamber. After washing, they stayed in Lady Kasteryn’s public room while they waited for Aryn to make the gowns. They talked, or read if the conversation wasn’t interesting at the moment. Conversation ranged from weapons to philosophy to how to behave with the Royals. At one point, Rhysa brought up her dragon instructor.

“Elise, you looked shocked when I said my teacher from before my enslavement was a dragon.”

Elise’s eyes flicked to Lady Kasteryn and back to Rhysa.

“Oh, she knows. I could hardly hide it from her since she helps me sort through memories.” True, though she would have to try to hide Hathorina--at least until Rhysa had a chance to speak with the couturiere. “We should keep our voices down, though.” She gestured to the door separating them from Aryn.

Elise shrugged uncomfortably. “Dragons aren’t common, to begin with. How did you end up with one as a teacher?”

“I don’t know. I was very young when I went to him, no older than eight--and likely younger.” Rhysa paused. “It’s not just that, is it? You went pale. Something scared you.”

Elise shook her head. “Not ‘scared’ precisely, since you’re here and obviously all right. More like a series of nightmarish what-ifs. Dragons don’t have a reputation for civilized behavior, after all.”

Despite her best efforts, Rhysa’s lips twitched with amusement. Her recently regained memory gave that particular reputation the lie. Her teacher, after all, had served tea and behaved with all the grace a noble could wish. “Maybe not. Granted, I still have many years missing from my memory, but nothing I’ve regained gives even a hint I was treated with less than respect. And a great deal of love.”

As Elise thought this over, Lady Kasteryn snagged a book from a nearby shelf. “Here. Read this.” Rhysa glimpsed the title as Lady Kasteryn handed it to Elise: Dracomancers. “Rhysa already knows most of what’s in here, either from memories or through her lessons with Bryn.”

Elise grunted and flipped through the book. “Do you mind if I keep this in my room for a while?”

“Not at all,” said Lady Kasteryn. A brief silence descended, then Lady Kasteryn asked Rhysa. “Have you remembered anything else about the dragon?”

Rhysa adopted the long-sighted stare of someone searching her memory. “I remember he served tea to guests, and he took care not to loom while tea was served.” She didn’t like lying to Lady Kasteryn, even if only by omission and misdirection. She blinked as if bringing herself through years of memory, then glanced at Lady Kasteryn and shrugged. “No clue as to how often he entertained guests.”

“Was it always tea?”

“That’s all I can remember.”

“Hmm. Can you remember any of the guests?”

Rhysa had been expecting that question, and sidestepped slightly. “I remember those I saw were dressed well. If not actually noble, at least wealthy.”

“No one of middle or lower class?”

“Not that I can yet remember.”

Lady Kasteryn nodded and fell silent, losing herself in thought. Elise sat and opened the book Lady Kasteryn had suggested. Rhysa, too, lost herself in thought. She probed at her memory of Hathorina, tried to remember what she and the dragon were discussing. Unfortunately, an eight-year-old child has no comprehension of, or interest in, grown-up talk. Try as she might, she couldn’t call to mind what was being talked about.

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