And for the first time in three years a new chapter!
Yeah yeah rub it in...my computer died and I had to completely rewrite this chapter!
Huh..well okay...but still it had been an awfully long time!
Won't argue with that.
Chapter 12
A battlefield would have been peaceful by comparison to the deafening din of a feast being prepared for two thousand people. Therry scurried about carrying pile after pile of dishes and cutlery into the hall where in less than an hour the dignitaries would gather. Now it buzzed, as servants, numerous as ants, filed in and out.
Extra help was always wanted on these occasions. It took her little move then a tug on one of the maid’s sleave and a whimpered request to get full and legal run of the palace.
Her white hair and skin stuck out like a carrot in a sweet shop, a simple illusion took care of that though. No need to change her face just put a slight psychic haze around herself, and let the persons eyes fill in the details. Undetectable and very little energy needed to maintain it. No one ever looks properly at servants anyway, she certainly never did.
One of the cooks screamed at her to stop lollygagging and get back to work, she compiled, snarling at his back. She threw a tendril of magic at a boiling pot he was passing, spilling the soup over the floor. A scream of pain followed the crash of metal, people flooded toward it. Therry didn’t miss a step, now maybe she would be left alone for a bit, she thought grimly. She had not gotten herself hired just to do work.
The hall consisted of nine tears, each about two meters about the last, connected by a four meter wide staircase running up the middle. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a glow throughout the room. An almost invisible servant’s ramp hid in the shadow alone the wall. Therry walked down the walkway, sliding past the maids and footmen who were carrying loads to and from and kitchens. She found a convenient corner near the entrance and settled down to wait.
She pondered how best to handle the situation, Huri and Gerd would arrive soon, in theory to confirm the completion of the job, however she already knew that they had failed. Her forehead creased, she should be frothing with rage here, but she felt calm, even relieved. That annoyed her more than the failed assassination did.
She needed to stop caring about her uncle. It was just… Edward was just so hard to hate, despite all he stood for. She groaned softly, rubbing the bridge of her nose. Edward, out of all her family, never shouted at her, or told her she was stupid. He encouraged her to become a mage and pursue her dream. Why did he have to be the one? Therry was sure Edward though she hated him; she just wished it could be true. It would make life so much easier, and-
Gereral Huri entered though the double doors, dressed in full military uniform, Gerd a step behind him. Therry brushed their thoughts carefully, getting a brief peek inside their minds. There would be violent ramifications if she was caught reading people’s minds without consent, but very little of her doings recently had been legal.
Huri’s mind was like dammed river, slow and tranquil, but his emotions where putting a lot of presser on the wall of the dam. Therry wondered what would happen if it burst, she would hate to have it directed at her. She barely touched Gerd’s thoughts, it felt like a hurricane, panic, fear, and anger whirled about, she withdrew swiftly. A piecing pain, like lightning, flashed though her head and was gone, leaving a dull ache in its stead. She rested her head in her hands for a moment before standing and walking over to intercept her business partners.
As a rule Therry avoided mind reading, if nothing else she always ended up with a migraine. However she wanted to make certain that the two men didn’t have anything stupid planned, since killing them would be impossible, it was best to try and keep them on side.
“Hello Huri, Gerd.” Therry smiled sweetly at them, letting them see though the glammor, “and how are our dear friends?”
A sweet smile was twice as scary as a scowl for a bearer of bad news, or so she liked to think. She would string them alone, make Huri sweat a little.
“We lost the prisoners.” Huri told her bluntly.
Therry’s smile faded, so much for watching him sweat, “I know, I saw the Minister last night.” Her grin returned, “Question is now what do I do to you.”
Gerd, posture stiff, glared at her, Huri narrow his eyes but remained silent. Therry stepped forward and tilted her head back to look straight into Huris eyes; they were dark, with streaks with green. He gazed back, eyes cold.
Therry raised an eyebrow and smiled, this time an sincere one, “Well nothing I do will change anything, so I guess I’ll just say good bye.” She laughed, at the shock that crossed his face, “I’m not going to be employing you again, but I really don’t think you’ll care about that.” She gave a mocking salute and walked off.
Therry fought to keep her steps measured and body relaxed, never leave an enemy behind her grandfather told her. This method was so much more effective then killing. Huri would not talk, it would be a matter of pride, and this way no grieving relatives or police men would come after her. It was tidier all round.
If the circumstances had been different she might have killed them both, however murdering a man in the middle of a building filled with suspicious diplomats would be suicide. Everyone would be worried that they would be the next one offed. Though, she thought, if she could frame one of the Brilsions… then the shit would really hit the fan. Yes… the more she considered it the better it sounded.
Another group entered the hall, a brown haired man with a long nose among them. Therry grinned like a skull, third minister Jarro would do nicely, why kill two birds when three were sitting there ready to be slaughtered?
“You look like someone just gave you a head on a silver platter.” A male voice complained, sounding more like a bratty child then one of the most powerful men in the county.
Therry relaxed against the wall, not bothering to look at who was talking to her, “Huri failed rather spectacularly, I have decided on a fitting punishment and a way to complete our goal.”
“How?” The voice whined.
Therry withheld a grimace, “In time dear, now go be nice. Talking to maids is hardly appropriate for someone of your standing. You do not want to attract attention now.”
“You’re right as always, do come by my room later and tell me then?”
“Yes, yes, now go!”
He slunk off like a wet cat, Therry ignored him. Now was not the time for distractions-
A hand grabbed her collar, “Get back in the kitchen! Stop flirting with your betters!” A Overseer whose face had more bones then flesh screamed at her. Fingers like nails dug into her neck.
Therry kept still for a moment, quelling the urge to burn the woman’s ugly face, “Yes mam.” She answered though gritted teeth.
She was shoved toward the servant’s ramp with enough force to knock her over. Therry picked herself up, examining her skinned knees. The bone woman moved on to terrorise a footman with a tray of drinks.
A change of plan is in order, Therry thought grimly, no one speaks to me like that and lives.
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