Temple of the Traveler: Empress of Dreams (27 page)

Lord Burningsand went into graphic detail about the imagined acts, then added, “I hear the emperor puts an apple in her mouth so he doesn’t have to listen to her squeals.”

“Komiko, can I legally kill him now?”

“On the dueling grounds,” she explained. “They’re just outside the city.”

To the lord, he said, “Are you ready to die, or do you wish to kiss the Lady Anna’s feet to beg forgiveness?”

The dean laughed. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait until the rain passes? We’ll have a better audience then.”

He could feel the rain approaching, the potential difference between the clouds and the ground. “Sir, you repulse me more with every word. I’ve killed many men in the rain. It helps wash away the stains sooner. Komiko, inform the emperor he needs to name a new dean.”

“You’ll need a second,” she insisted.

“No, but I want friendly witnesses when he explodes.”

Komiko squirmed a little in excitement. “Don’t start without me!” She ran for the dress shop.

****

Lady Evershade found the Mandibosian Ambassador’s daughter playing human checkers with the emperor. Everyone else cheered as the girl beat the man who the college recently dubbed a master of military strategy.

Pagaose turned to his guard and whispered, “Every woman is beautiful in the right light.”

“I could see Lady Anna being a mother figure and these virtues making her a mother to her empire, but
her
?”

“I can see her years from now as she gets taller. Her figure and humor will make her a wonderful companion. Her intelligence will guide her future husband away from many mistakes, and she will turn whatever he entrusts to her into enormous riches.”

“Until then, sire?”

“Listen. Child, would you perform for the others that song you sang for me earlier?”

The girl obeyed. The acoustics of the great hall carried her clear voice to every corner. Her words were sweet, encouraging, and enchanting. The men smiled.

Seething, Lady Evershade whispered to Rensalier, “Do you still have that alcohol that’s so pure it has little taste?”

“Aye, but never for the customers. They can’t handle it.”

“Put a flask of it on my bill and in my bag.”

“As you wish, lady. Your 10 percent kickback will more than cover the cost.”

When Nightglow appeared in the archway, she told her daughter, “Move to the music and spin on the marble in front of his highness as fast and gracefully as you can.”

The girl nodded and obeyed. In front of where he was seated, she pirouetted. As Nightglow did so, her dress rose, giving his highness and his head guard a flash of her bare legs and frilly silkies.

“
Very
nice,” blurted Niftkin.

The emperor nodded in agreement. “The blue of the fabric brings out her eyes.”

“Y-yes.”

Lady Evershade smiled as she scolded, “Dear, I told you that the floors were too slick for that!”

Rensalier laughed. “Accidental?”

“The Dance is about showing the girls’ assets. No rules were broken,” insisted the mother.

Ember went next, standing on the same spot in front of the emperor. The athletic girl leaned forward onto her hands, and then did a perfect handstand. Her silkies were cut so as to display an admirable portion of her firm behind.

Pagaose cleared his throat and applauded, as did all the spectators. The girl bent backward in an incredible arch to regain her feet again. This prompted more applause and whistles.

“Here’s to fine assets,” joked Rensalier.

Komiko skidded to a halt on the marble, out of breath.

“You’re unforgivably late, young woman,” said Lady Evershade. “What’s your excuse?”

“Wizard duel . . . Lord Pinetto. Now.”

The room cleared of everyone except Rensalier and Lady Evershade.

After the emperor was gone, the clothier presented Lady Evershade with the bill. She put her hand to her chest, finding it difficult to breathe. “This bill is years more than I thought it would be.”

“It’s all itemized, madam. Five dresses at ten weeks each, the emperor’s outfit with ermine trim, crown, rental of the club, deposit, security personnel, decorating fees . . . the usual.”

“I thought the dresses would be free,” she said, fanning herself with her foxtails.

“I did that for the Dance, but I have no more fabric coming in till after this blasted war.”

“I could arrange a royal concession?” He shook his head. “A better price on my cosmetics? My fur?”

The merchant touched her face. “This Pagaose must mean a lot to you for you to offer. I’ll take your 10 percent off the bill; the alcohol I give for free. You’re going to need it. I need the money in advance. The Council has decreed only critical outlays will be paid until the resolution of this war. This will mean lean times for you, too. With no boats in and out, you will have no ingredients. No parties will mean less demand for makeup.”

“I am ruined,” she said.

“You can recover most of your expenses. There is a practice in my business of having nobles
pay
for the honor of sitting closest to the event; the ceremony and dinner are separate.”

“Is this legal?”

Rensalier waggled his hand. “I hide it by having them pay extra for dresses, food, even rare coins.”

Lady Evershade bit her lip and scanned the list of charges. “Take the crown off; we have our own. As for the rest, I recently came into possession of a very tastefully decorated cottage filled with fine art. I don’t have time to sell it off individually, but you may find a newlywed couple for the home and sell the art off over time.”

“Whatever became of the former occupants?”

“The man’s boyfriend was a suspect in a recent unpleasantness with the crown, and he committed suicide rather than face questioning.”

“Deaths are bad for real estate.”

“It has a koi pond, and it’s worth easily three months more than this bill.”

“With such transactions, I can’t give change.”

She smiled. “In trade, you could provide me with a list of your normal special-event customers and amounts that they pay.”

He kissed her hand. “A pleasure doing business. How will you hide so much money?”

“The emperor’s scribe has been helping me, to the detriment of his duties selling the old school and zoo properties. Tomorrow, I will visit the nobles on your list to personally offer them some of these rare properties.”

****

When Pagaose reached the dueling grounds, rain was already falling. Burningsand had seven students helping him place his ritual equipment. Pinetto sat cross-legged on his dais, meditating.

Someone shouted, “His second is here; we can start.”

“I’m his second?” Komiko said. “I’m going to drink for free for a year.”

“A moment,” said the emperor. “You may wish to reconsider. I’ve taught this man some of the deeper arts. You won’t stand a chance.”

“Like sex magic?” scoffed Burningsand from his raised platform on the other side of the tiny island.

“What’s he talking about?” Pagaose asked the witch.

“Later, sire,” said Komiko.

“What’s this duel all about?”

“The lord high wizard insulted Anna in order to force Master Pinetto into a fight.”

Pagaose whispered in Pinetto’s ear, “Flow. You are not the power. You are the guide.”

The seconds moved away to the perimeter. Men in robes swept the area with incense. Komiko explained, “The two wizards draw best wards, build power, plant their devices, and then try to summon stray spirits.”

“Why is the judge turning that hourglass?”

“It can take hours until the first attack, and to finish a combat can take days.”

“Amateurs.”

Komiko raised her voice. “Sire, you don’t understand. Master Pinetto is at an extreme disadvantage because he hasn’t slept in over a day.”

People in the stands behind them exchanged betting slips. The emperor pulled out a sesterina coin, handed it to the witch, and said, “Bet this and anything else you have on my new dean.”

“Sire?”

To Niftkin, he said, “Bet all the money you have, too.”

“Yes, sire,” said the guard.

When the gong rang, Burningsand commenced his chant.

Pinetto climbed off his own dais and walked over to the other man’s. Burningsand was a full pace above him.

The crowd murmured, “Is he going to surrender?”

Instead, Pinetto crouched over and took out his bolo. He tossed the metal-weighted balls around the enemy’s ankle. His opponent laughed . . . until the metal began to glow blue and his hair stood on end. Pinetto dove to the ground just as the lighting struck.

Nothing remained of his challenger except a smoking boot. Steam rose from Pinetto’s skin as he muttered, “Idiot.”

The crowd erupted in questions. “Are his eyelids glowing?”

“What just happened?”

Pagaose turned to the Burningsand’s second. “I believe this resolves the matter of Lady Anna’s honor?”

“Yes, sire. You taught him this?”

The emperor nodded.

“Let the record reflect that the ward school votes for you also.”

As the cleanup crew came out to the arena, the emperor said, “Leave the stain as a warning to others.”

Komiko hooted and danced around her new mentor. “Five seconds—a record. No one will ever beat that. You are
awesome
!”

“I’m going to be sick,” Pinetto said, swaying.

Pagaose walked up behind the pair. “Witch, give him your oilskin cloak and hold him up.”

They walked Pinetto over to a bench and sat him down. His eyes were closed and his energy drained.

“Tell me about this sex magic my enemies are complaining about.”

Komiko did so, in enthusiastic detail, as Niftkin collected their winnings from the bets.

“This is revolutionary, but the rumors are ruining my credibility.”

“Sire, you don’t understand—”

“You will immediately go to the school and confess to sensationalizing the syllabus in order to gain more students.”

“But . . . yes, sire.”

“Change the name to marriage magic and specify that it is open only to married or engaged wizards and those enrolled in the Dance.”

“We won’t make our minimum, then, highness. If we don’t reach twenty students, we lose our school.”

“I have my votes without it. If you must, sign me and my dancers up. Niftkin, too”

Niftkin said, “
Me
? Oh . . . sure, as protection. Good thinking, sire.”

Komiko raised an eyebrow. “
You
cast wards?”

“I’m a military officer. Wards are required training,” the head guard said proudly. Then, more modestly, he admitted. “I’m only marginal, but if you need the bodies, I’d be willing to . . . for the sake of the empire.”

“The opposition is attacking my friends now, not just me. I want all the dancers brought to the palace tonight,” the emperor told Komiko. “Bring suitable clothing.”

“Yes, sire.”

After dinner, Pagaose noted, “The dinner was superb, Lady Evershade, but if I might impose . . .”

She bowed her head. “You can’t sleep until Anna returns.”

“No. I’ve checked everywhere.”

“Sometimes when my husband and I fought, he’d sleep in his office.”

“I had men check there over lunch.”

“What did her manager say?”

“Do you see her here?”

She smiled. “He was covering for Anna. She doesn’t wish to talk to you yet. Did they search the women’s room?”

Pagaose blinked. “No. Thank you, Lady Evershade. I am ever in your debt.”

“We strive to please, highness.”

He ordered his guards to check out this theory. While they waited, he had after-dinner drinks with his dancers and guests.

Komiko told the story of Pinetto’s confrontation again for those who’d missed the actual events. Tashi kept staring at Sarajah and the door. Eventually, he faked a yawn. “I think I’m heading to bed. I’m really looking forward to tearing off those sheets and diving in.”

Sarajah blushed and the girls giggled. The pair left for the Pleasure Dome.

Even Bovinia said, “Subtle.”

****

When Tashi started taking clothes off, Sarajah said, “Not so fast! A girl has to be in the mood.” He growled in exasperation, but she raised a finger. “I’ve been reading Pinetto’s syllabus and that massage thing sounds kind of nice for both of us. I had Violet heat the oils, and you can rub them all over my body.”

“New money,” he said as she reclined on the mat.

He just finished his first pass over her back when the door to the dome burst open. “There’d better be blood involved,” he grumbled.

Nightglow escorted Anna into the room. The brewer was covered in garbage and worse. “She needs a bath and someone to talk to. She won’t talk about it, but I think my mother had a hand in this.”

“What’s that smell?” Tashi asked.

The young dancer winced. “Goat dung. The crowd threw it at her as they were calling her horrible things. They claim she got away with killing someone just because she’s rich and sleeps with nobles. Niftkin waded in and sent them all home. He was wonderful.” After a pause, she added, “Anna wouldn’t say a word to anyone on the way back. She just cried.”

Sarajah slipped her robe back on and said, “You’ve done the right thing. Leave her here and I’ll see she gets what she needs.”

Tashi’s face fell. “For how long?”

“It’ll take hours for her to get clean and hours more to open up to me. After that, I wouldn’t dare send her back out there to face Nightglow’s mother.”

“But we go on the ship in just a couple days.” His left eye twitched a little.

“Find somewhere else to sleep just for tonight, dear. She’s too vulnerable to have a man around.”

The oil jar cracked in his hands and ran over the tile.

Sarajah sighed. “Just leave. I’ll clean it up.”

He climbed onto the roof, frustrated, and unable to sleep. At least he’d heal better in the open air and starlight. Just after midnight, he could hear the moaning coming from Lady Evershade’s open window. He walked to the far edge of the roof and could still hear it like birdsong. He wanted to break something. Instead, he went down to the docks and started loading the ship. There was an enormous pile of provisions for the voyage, and the physical effort helped take his mind off what wasn’t happening tonight. Some crates were supposed to take a few men to lift, but he would just mutter something like, “Why don’t we use the oil first,” and then he’d be angry enough to move it without help. The dock patrol kept a person watching him just in case his anger went too far.