"Hurry up," one of the guards pushed Zooey on the back as they were marched down the street towards a large building on a small hill ahead of them.
They could see a large thick metal gate, tall walls, and many soldiers mulling around.
"Are you okay?" Alexandra whispered, edging closer to Zooey.
"What do you think?!" she was angry, "I could have taken them."
"Not all of them," Alexandra tried to get her to think reasonably, "someone would have died."
"You don't know that."" Zooey was sure that Alexandra was probably right, but still was not going to admit it.
She was getting tired of Alexandra always being right. It was not something she could really be angry about in all honesty, Alexandra had stopped her from getting into plenty of bad situations. But even so, she was feeling frustrated.
"We'll figure something out, we've been in bad spots before." Alexandra tried to sound confident.
Truth be told, they were in trouble. In the past, they had escaped the bored Avindr guards several times when they got tired of the Oonskat being underfoot, but these soldiers were power-drunk fanatics. Surrounded by these heavily-armed soldiers, there seemed no way out at the moment.
"This is pretty bad," said Luca.
"At least Haespethis and her family are okay," Sophia was glad of that, "they were very nice people. It'd be terrible if something happened because of us."
Alexandra tried to keep their spirits up. "We just have to stay calm and figure out what to do."
"No talking," Captain Ousterborth looked over his shoulder, "enjoy the night air of Lerwick."
Zooey sneered at their captors. "It sucks here."
"For those not privileged, perhaps," he conceded, "but there always have to be the rulers and those they rule. Prydain is like that, the Nobles and the commoners. Here in Lerwick, it is us and the citizens. We are no different than anywhere else, we just apply the system more openly and forcibly when required. Ah, we're here."
Captain Ousterborth stepped up to the large black metal gate and spoke to a guard on the other side. "Open up. We have new arrivals for the Lederan to view."
The guard on the other side chuckled as he signaled for the gate to be unlocked. "It's so good to have new ones. I'm sure the Lederan will be pleased with that. Hurry up boys, get the gate open for the illustrious captain!"
A large cross beam was dislodged by several men, then the gate was pulled open a little, just enough for them to pass inside. Guards patrolled on top of the walls and many more were sitting inside the courtyard, armed with swords and polearms. Something else was in the courtyard as well: a great many machines of various purposes and designs. Some were large, larger than small houses with many steam pipes and gears peeking out from under pressed metal coverings. Piled up in the corners of the courtyard were telescopes, groundpounders, pieces of flytters, and other indistinguishable types of machines.
"What's all this?" asked Alexandra.
It was an impressive gathering of machinery.
"Gifts from Avindr to help with the mud," Captain Ousterborth also admired the devices the Lederan had collected here in his yard.
"They don't seem to be helping," scoffed Zooey.
"The Lederan does not wish them to be used, why waste their potential on ordinary people," Captain Ousterborth laughed, "but we tarry too much, come, the Lederan awaits."
They were ushered through two large wooden doors and into a rectangular hall. White pillars lined the hall on every side, running from the floor and stopping just short of the equally white ceiling. Atop each pillar was a flowering potted plant. The floor was a black and white checkerboard pattern, a raised platform sitting at the far side of the wall where the walls bent in and met each other. A throne of some kind sat on the platform, and sitting on that throne was the village chief, the Lederan.
Shoulder-length brunette hair rested on the elegant white robe he was wearing. Adorning the white robe were rubies and emeralds, fastened by gold chains. It was spotless; not a speck of dust could be seen on it. The Lederan was wearing a wicked smile, one that reeked of arrogance. On each side of the throne, and lining the hall next to the pillars, soldiers armed with lances stood guard.
With a crooked finger, he motioned for Captain Ousterborth's group approach. The soldiers prodded the 'guests' forward towards the throne.
The captain bowed as they stepped closer and addressed the self-proclaimed king of the town. "Lederan, we bring you the strangers. Just arrived with the family of Hausperg the spice-maker."
"Ah yes," the Lederan was trying to sound regal, but his voice just ended up slimy, "the four new arrivals to our great town.
He leaned forward on his throne. "Tell me, what brings you to my paradise?"
Alexandra took a breath and bravely stepped forward under the gaze of the soldiers. "We were just traveling when we met a family on the road and decided to travel with them a ways. We ended up here and were planning to take our leave in only a day your excellency."
She decided that showing deference was probably the right call at this time, given the ostentatious decor of the their surroundings.
The Lederan grinned at them, "that simply will not do. You are most welcome to stay in Lerwick, for as long as I please. How can I let you go now? You'd probably try to be a busybody and go run to Avindr, bring soldiers here to try to remove me from my beloved town."
"We'd do no such thing, we just want to be on our way." Alexandra surmised that talking their way out of this was likely going to be impossible the way the conversation was going.
"I'm sorry," the Lederan definitely lied about that, "but anyone who enters Lerwick becomes a valued citizen of mine, we cannot let you just leave. If we did, then you'd be nothing, and that would be sad, tragic even! I should warn that if you did try to leave, then my soldiers will make you nothing. No, feel at home here, for this is your new home. Permanently."
Alexandra took another step forward, the lancers readied to kill her. "We've done nothing to you, please let us go. What could we do to you, we simply wish to be on our way and of no hassle to anyone?"
The Lederan motioned for the soldiers to stay their lances. "No my dear, the pressing question is what can you do for me." He looked her over head to toe.
Alexandra did not like where this was heading. "Please sir, we are of no importance. We would happily offer up whatever supplies we brought into your town, but just permit us to be on our way."
"No," the he wrapped his knuckles on his armrest, "you are never leaving, get used to that fact."
Zooey was spoiling for a fight, she wanted to rip this arrogant pervert apart. "Come down here and say that to my face!" Lancers moved closer to them, readying their weapons.
The Lederan seemed amused at the outburst. "So full of spirit!"
"She's quite the firebrand Lederan," Captain Ousterborth would be glad to be rid of Zooey. "This one even pulled a sword on us when we arrived to escort them to your presence."
The Lederan frowned for a moment, then smiled as he stroked his chin.
"Captain, haven't your soldiers been complaining and whining for some live practice?"
"Yes Lederan," the captain was now grinning as well, "the citizens just aren't up to it: their spirits break too fast and then they're just useless."
"Yes, I can see the problem. Very well, take that one then, the one with the temper and fighting spirit."
"Zooey!" Alexandra tried to grab her friend but soldiers rushed in and held them apart.
Luca and Sophia were also restrained by the strong arms of the surrounding guards as a kicking and yelling Zooey was dragged out of a side door of the hall. They could hear her yelling at her captors unrepeatable insults of all natures that would make even the most hardened soldier blush, before the large doors to the hall closed and there was silence again.
"Bring her back!" Alexandra strained against the arm holding her in place. "Coward!"
"Do not trouble yourself," the Lederan took a sip of wine from a glass he had removed from a small pedestal next to his seat. "She will not be killed, she would be useless then. I value the lives of my people. She will provide my men some fighting sport. They need practice you see, but, let me reiterate to calm your hearts, she will not be killed. That is, as long as does not cause too much trouble. Dead sport is no sport at all. Put her from your thoughts, she has a purpose now. But what of the rest of you? Hmm? What am to do with the rest of you? So many choices."
"I'll tell you what!" Luca was enraged, still kicking at the guard restraining him.
"Another spirited one?" the Lederan clapped, finding this all quite enjoyable. "Well, I cannot send you to the guards, we would not want to deprive your friend of all the fun she'll be having. What to do with you then? Ah!"
It seemed the tyrant had reached a decision.
"The steam factory. Your fiery spirit can help stoke the fires and provide me with steam. You'll need energy there."
Several more guards came forward and began to take Luca away.
"Alexandra! Sophia!" he called for her as he was dragged back towards the main doors.
"Luca," she could only watch him go, her eyes betraying the sadness inside and the fact she was losing hope. "Hang on."
"And then there were two," this was all a fun games to the depraved Lederan, "more choices to be made."
"Can I have one, father?"
A new voice broke into the hall. This one however sounded like a young girls voice. The owner of the voice strode out from behind a pillar to the throne. She was wearing a spotless white robe adorned with precious stones. Her hair was a dirty blond, mostly covered by an equally resplendent bonnet. Her skin was flawless and fair, at a distance, one might mistake her for an ornate porcelain doll. Her eyes though, they were the same as the Lederan's: cold. She looked to be the same age as Alexandra.
The girl kissed her father on the cheek. "Can I have one? You know I've wanted one. You said I could have one."
"Indeed I did," he nodded. "Well my precious, I have two here. Pick which one you want then."
The girl squealed with glee and quickly descended the stairs. She came skipped over and stood before Sophia first, thoroughly surveying her. She was examining her, like one would examine a new pet.
The girl took a few moments to check her over before frowning, "pretty eyes, but too tall."
Taking a few steps over, she now stood before Alexandra and began to check over her the same way. Alexandra still strained against the thick arm holding her, but there was no use, there was no budge at all. Fatigued, she finally stopped trying to extricate herself from the guard's grasp and stood there, an object of viewing for the privileged girl standing in front of her.
The Lederan's daughter stepped in closer, carefully examining Alexandra. She poked at her face and pulled her hair a little. Alexandra meanwhile could do nothing.
Satisfied, the girl stood back. "This one."
"Very well my dear," the Lederan was happy that his daughter was satisfied. He leaned forward and looked closely at Alexandra, "my, she does have a look about her, almost if..."
His sentence trailed off at the end, then he blinked, sat back and he straightened himself on his seat. "Guards, take my daughter's toy to wherever it needs to go."
An middle-aged woman came out and took Alexandra by the arm. Still restrained by a guard, they began leading her off towards another door on the side of the hall, opposite from the way they took Zooey. She tried her best to turn, and barely managed to twist her neck around so she could get one final look at Sophia. Her eyes were welling up with tears as she watched Alexandra being led off. It looked like Sophia whispered something, she could see her trembling lips moving, but she could not make out what she was saying.
The guard holding her yanked her forward and Alexandra was spun back to facing forward. She was led down a long windowless hallway, paintings of the Lederan and his daughter occupying the wall space every few feet. The carpet was a deep red, free of debris and dust. She was then forced up a spiraling staircase and down several more windowless hallways, the same artwork still decorating the walls. Finally she was forced into a small room off one of the winding corridors. The woman followed her in, then the guard finally released her and left them alone, closing the thick door to the room behind him.
Alexandra pivoted around quickly on one foot, ready to pounce on the woman and then make her escape.
"Please," the woman had her hand out, but no weapon in it, "I'm not here to hurt you, believe me."
"Could have fooled me!" Alexandra was not feeling very generous, she was still positioned to strike.
"Please," the woman's voice was free of ill-intent, "I am just a servant here, I don't want anyone of you or your friends to get hurt in any way."
She could sense the earnest in the plea, and the sadness behind it.
"Okay," Alexandra relaxed her pose slightly, "what do you want?"
"I don't want anything," the servant woman had a soft voice, "but, the Lederan's daughter wants you. She's picked you to be her new maidservant."
"Like that will happen."
Alexandra was determined to get away and free the others as soon as she was able.
"If you cause trouble they'll kill your friends," the woman tried to dissuade her, "I've seen it before. Please, just, be happy that you're alive and you're relatively okay. It could have been much worse, it really could have been much worse."
Despite the circumstances, Alexandra felt she could trust this woman, at least a little.
"Who are you then exactly?"
"I am Selene. I am the head of the servants here in the Lederan's palace, what used to be our town hall. I am also the personal servant to the Lederan himself. I was a shopkeeper before, now that the Lederan has taken the town as his playground, I was plucked from my life and remade here. Now I serve, quietly, and am thankful that I am still alive and unharmed. I am fed, I have a place to live, that is more than some people."
"It's pretty bad in town you know."
"The people down in the town, their lives are so cold and hopeless. I feel bad sometimes that I do not live there with them. But, no matter how miserable and demeaning it is to be a slave here, it is much better than being forced to work in the factory, or be a pet in the squalid town."
"Who was the little princess?" Alexandra did not use the term as one of respect.
"Her little ladyship," Selene used a title reserved usually only for the nobility, "is Arportia, who will be referred to as her ladyship by her and her father's demand. She is the Lederan's only child, he dotes on her and gives her whatever she wants. Whatever she says goes, so I beseech you: please do not prompt her to anger or yourself and possibly many others will suffer the consequences."
Alexandra looked around the room hesitantly. She could easily power past Selene and get out the door, but the servant's words echoed in her ears: others would suffer if she caused problems. She was caught in a moment of indecision. The woman was being honest with her, she could tell by her voice and the concern in her eyes. Even if she did make it out of this room, how would she find the others and how would they escape? The situation was too cloudy for her to just jump into any kind of action, as much as she wanted to.
Selene motioned to the room around them. "It is late; because you are to be the personal maidservant of her ladyship, this small room is yours alone. It is unfurnished as you can see, but I'll try to get you something as soon as I can. Please not expect much though, most everything the Lederan does not take goes to his guards. I'll be back with some sheets or something you can use for a bed. I'm sorry I can't do more right now; this is all so sudden."
"Thank you." Alexandra could tell the woman was being sincere, and she did appreciate the kindness.
Selene gave a half-smile and then opened the door and stepped back out into the corridor. A moment later, Alexandra could hear the lock outside being set. She was now trapped in the small windowless room. The floor was wood planks, thick mortar and stone walls made up the semi-circular room. The wall opposite the door was cold to the touch, Alexandra surmised it must be the outside wall. They had ascended several staircases, she must be high-up on the side of the walled-in town hall. She set her back to the outer wall and faced the door. The only light was a steam-fed flame in a glass enclosure fastened to the center of the ceiling. After an hour or so as far as Alexandra could tell, Selene returned with an armful of thick blankets. She smiled at Alexandra as she deposited them in the room, then left and locked the door again.
A short time later, the light above went out and the room was in complete darkness. Feeling with her hands, Alexandra bunched up the sheets, made a bed like she had out of hay in the slums, curled up and tried to rest.
Her heart was beating with worry for her friends, were they still okay? Where were they? How could they get out of this? It was her fault.
"It's my fault," she whispered bitterly in the darkness, "it's my fault, it's my fault."
The phrase would not stop repeating in her head. Her heart felt heavier, she could hear every beat of her heart pounding in her head. Finally, she drifted off the sleep, the fatigue from the day's events finally catching up with her.
Alexandra awoke with a start, her sleep had not been a restful one. She blinked several times, trying to reorient herself with her surroundings.
Darkness. She could not see anything, the room was still pitch-black.
"Is it still night?" she yawned.
She knew she had slept for some time, but she could not believe she had woken up while it was still dark outside considering how tired she had been. She felt around, there was still nothing in the room but her and her makeshift bedding. She scooted back on the floor and placed her back on the outer wall once more, facing the door as far as she could tell. She wrapped her arms around her knees and waited, for there was little more she could do.
Alexandra had gotten a look at the door when she was first brought into the room: it was thick, not easily breakable. She waited, and waited, then waited some more. It seemed like forever before she heard any noise outside the door.
A light!
She was blinded momentarily by a sudden light penetrating the darkness the room was filled with. A small hatch had been opened at the bottom of the door, a plate of food consisting of cooked meat and fresh fruit pushed through.
"Selene?" she called out warily, "is that you?"
"I'm sorry," it was indeed Selene's voice on the other side of the door, "they won't let you out yet."
"I knew I was a prisoner in this building, but I didn't know I'd be locked in a cell without end."
Alexandra was frustrated, the constant darkness was slightly unsettling
"The Lederan has insisted that her ladyship keep you locked in this chamber for a few days. He wants your spirit to break, wants you to be docile."
"I'll be no more agreeable after a few days in here," warned Alexandra, "even less so in fact."
"Her ladyship wanted you to serve her right away, but the Lederan insisted on keeping you locked for a few days, I am not sure exactly why. Please, just eat and hold on, they'll let you out soon."
Selene sounded genuinely apologetic,
"How long?" Alexandra wanted to be free of her confining room, if only for a little while.
"I don't know," it was an answer she did not want to hear, "but please, just hang in there, you'll be free soon enough."
"Free to be a slave."
"It's better than a myriad of other possibilities," Selene was quick to warn her. "I have to go, I have other duties. I hope to see and work with you soon."
The small hatch of the door closed and the room was once again plunged into total darkness. Alexandra could hear her footsteps leave the door and slowly fade the way the farther she got. She was once again left alone in the dark. She resisted touching the food for some time, but the rumbling from her stomach forced her to accept the meal of her captor.
Feeling the plate out in the darkness, she quickly scarfed down the well-cooked meat and enjoyed every juicy bite of the fresh fruit. Fresh fruit was a rarity for her given how she had grown up. They only could get moldy fruit in the slums at best, and ever since they had left the city they had been living on mostly dried meals.
The plate's contents being consumed, she shoved the plate back near the door and placed her back once more on the far wall. Occasionally she would hear footsteps passing by her locked door, her solid prison bars, but she was most decidedly alone.
This routine went on for multiple days, as far as Alexandra could reckon anyway. Selene would deposit a plate of food and try to offer some words of encouragement. It was always dark, except for when the little hatch on the door was opened. Day, night, those words did not have meaning for Alexandra in this room in which she was now imprisoned. She would be awake for hours, back pressed to the cold stone wall, staring at the nothingness in front of her, then at some point, sleep would overwhelm her and she would drift away on top of a pile of sheets. Then she would wake up, put her back to the wall and repeat the cycle again. Selene had brought six plates so far.
"Six days." Alexandra tried to keep her brain active in the mid-numbing void she now find herself in.
Were the others okay? A weight had set upon her heart and it would not lift; her head ached with all the worry. She had already gotten angry about being confined in the room, now she had moved on to quiet despair. She was always thinking of ways to get herself and her friends away, but all the plans just seemed to dead-end. The Lederan's guards would not betray their maniacal leader, and they controlled the only way in and out of town. There was no sneaking out of Lerwick, through the guards was the only way.
She cupped her head with her hands, the darkness she was constantly surrounded with was getting to her.
"My fault." the words came once more unbidden to her lips.
A sudden shrill shrieking made Alexandra start. She jumped up, looking around in vain to see what was going on but still could not see anything in the void. The noise was close, and very loud.
Footsteps came running down the hall. The lock was undone and the door opened, bringing light into the room once more. Alexandra covered her eyes, they were no longer used to the brightness. Finally things began to come into focus again and she was able to see. Selene was standing in the open doorway, the shrill noise was coming from a whistle connected to a small steam pipe above the door frame.
"That is her ladyship, she summons. The Lederan has relented and granted permission for you to serve now."
"If I'm to serve, why cast me away in here for so long?"
"He keeps talking about you," Selene seemed confused as well. "I can't really ever get close enough to hear what he is saying exactly, he just keeps saying that the resemblance is uncanny. But never mind that. Hurry, we must go."
Alexandra stood defiant.
"I will not serve her, especially after being locked in this cage for so long!"
"Please, if I do not present you to her, I will be punished."
Selene was impressively put on on an air of distinguished calm one would expect from the servant of a leader, however the quiver in her voice and the terror right behind her eyes betrayed her. She had been kind to Alexandra given the circumstances, and Alexandra for her part did not want this woman to come to harm even though she had been acting as her jailer, however reluctantly.
"Okay," Alexandra hated hearing herself say the words, "let's just go."
With the words said, she realized just how tired she was; she had not the strength for a fight or escape attempt at the moment. The only thing to do was to go along and play nice until an opportunity arose.
Selene nodded and led the way back out into the cramped hallway. Alexandra reluctantly followed a few steps behind. There were few windows showing the outside world; the former town hall seemed to be a world unto itself. It was so different here then down in the hill in mud-plagued Lerwick. Here it was clean, orderly, while the town proper was drowning in dirt and hopelessness.
Alexandra was led the way down several corridors and up another flight of stairs before they arrived at a large double-door at the end of one of the labyrinthine hallways. The door handles were golden with emeralds embedded in them. Selene pushed them open, bowed her head, and stood back.
Looking into the room, Alexandra saw the most indulgent bedroom she had ever laid eyes on. Everything was a soft pink hue, the carpet of the finest make, the blankets on the bed were a deep burgundy velvet. Large swaths of pink fabric hung from the ceiling in ornate patterns. Most of the furniture looked like it was silver, or another very similar tempered metal. Standing in the middle of the room was the girl she had seen before in the throne room: Arportia, the Lederan's daughter. She was wearing an expensive-looking satin dressed that matched her room perfectly.
"You may enter," Arportia sounded like she was commanding a new pet, "come in and let me look at you."
Selene subtly motioned for Alexandra to do as she was told. Remembering her warning that Alexandra's actions could cause others great trouble, she gritted her teeth and entered the room. Standing before Arportia, she tried to look straight ahead with a blank expression as the spoiled princess surveyed her new property.
"Yes, you will do nicely. You will address me as her ladyship," Arportia began to command, "you are mine and I will do with you as I please."
Alexandra said nothing as she stared straight ahead.
Arportia giggled. "Strong will, I like that, so much more fun to play with and break. It goes without saying that if you upset me I will have you killed. If you step outside this residential wing, the guards will kill you. Any reaction to that?"
Nothing.
"That's fine, you don't have to talk right now pet. I want you to know though that I am not making empty threats, so I will illustrate my point so you can learn visually. I understand that at times, spoken threats may seem meaningless, I will be kind and provide you some learning. Come over here."
Arportia stepped over to the side of the room, unlatched the lock on the window and flung it open. Alexandra, still gritting her teeth, slowly crossed the room and stood at the window.
The thought of throwing the spoiled brat right out the window crossed her mind a few times.
"See anything you recognize?" Arportia was smiling a smile full of a malicious joy.
Looking out in the courtyard several stories below the window, Alexandra had to wait for a moment for her eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight. At first there were only hazy shapes, then it came into terrifying clear focus.
Far below, she saw Zooey standing in the middle of the walled-in courtyard, a wooden sword in her hand. She was in a fighting stance, breathing hard. Alexandra could see she was sweating, and had several very large and nasty bruises on her arms and legs. Suddenly, seven soldiers rushed from the sides of the yard, also brandishing swords of a wooden make.
Zooey swung for the first one, causing him to stumble back and fall. She ducked under the swing of the second, jamming her wooden weapon at his side, causing him to spiral backwards in pain. The third made a low swipe at her legs but she jumped and landed on top of his sword, breaking it. She kicked his face and swung behind her at a fourth attacker. Concentrating on connecting with the soldier behind her, Zooey never saw the attack of the fifth soldier coming from her side. The flat side of his wooden sword connected with her head with a terrible thud.
She stumbled, dazed from the hit. The sixth attacker landed the flat of his sword on her stomach, causing her to convulse forward, dropping her own sword and clutching her wounded front. Another soldier's sword hit her legs from behind and she went crashing down. The soldiers stood around her laughing, congratulating each other for their work. Alexandra could do nothing but watch helplessly from the window far above.
"She's not dead," Arportia's voice was as sweet as poison honey, "the soldiers like to use live targets, it's a bit of fun for them I suppose. But, if you anger me, I can have her killed at any moment. All I have to do is call down from my window here, it might be fun to see them do it even. But now you understand and now you will not cause any trouble; you will be an obedient servant to your master: me. Am I right, my little puppy?"
Alexandra's hands clenched, her heart was about to leap out of her chest. Throwing her out the window still seemed like the best opportunity yet, the scene of Zooey laying out cold on the dirt stalled that thought process, compelling Alexandra to have to play along.
She turned to Arportia and said "yes." The word was like a thorn piercing her tongue as she spoke it.
"Good," Arportia was pleased with her new toy, "old Selene here will tell you everything you need to know. Now you will prepare my lunch."
With that, it seemed her first audience with her new 'owner' was over.
Alexandra forced herself to nod, her teeth pressed tightly together. She turned and slowly crossed the room back to where Selene stood, her own head bowed. Selene then led Alexandra away from the opulent room of pink, Arportia's own little kingdom.
Alexandra said nothing, the sight of Zooey getting pummeled replaying over and over in her mind. She could not get the sound of the wooden sword hitting her friend on the head out of ears, it echoed down the long corridors as she walked. Selene led her down a level and showed her where all the supplies for the living quarters were. Storerooms stocked to the brim with choice meats and the best vegetables, all taken from s a starving town. There were fine silk blankets and towels, all the best luxuries that one would only find in the estate of the richest of rich noble houses. Alexandra was disgusted with the opulence of this town hall turned palace, especially after wading through the grime that was the poor town below.
"This wing is the residential wing," explained Selene as they toured the various storerooms, "the Lederan's quarters are on the top floor, you've already seen her Ladyship's. If you leave this wing, the guards posted all around have been instructed to kill on sight; this is your world now, its walls are the borders of it."
"Where are my friends?" demanded Alexandra as they closed the door on yet another storage room filled with luxurious and expensive supplies.
Selene sighed, she did not like the situation any more than her new charge.
"The one you've already seen: providing the guards with something beat. The boy, he was marched off to the factory at the other end of Lerwick, almost disappeared into the mud it has. That factory is the only industry left in town, making the steam that is piped here, none of it for the town of course. They're worked like animals there, I'm so sorry for him, but at least he probably still lives."
Okay, that was two out of three accounted for.
"The last one, the brunette with the beautiful eyes, she's been made a servant as well. But for for her, the world is now the kitchens far below, the ones for the soldiers and others. The Lederan and her Ladyship's meals are prepared in a separate kitchen in this wing. She is okay, I saw her only two days ago. She's kept in the many kitchens most of the time, it takes a lot of food to feed all the Lederan's men. She asked after you."
"What did you tell her?" Alexandra longed to be with her friends once more.
"I said you were alive, and unhurt. She brightened up, like a star. I worry though," Selene paused, breaking her step.
"What is it?"
"Someday the Lederan may become interested in her unique beauty." Selene's voice was filled with a mournful sadness. "When you were first brought here he was tired, he did not look to closely. If he does though, it is likely she'll be taken to the top floor, and, probably never seen again."
"I won't let that happen," Alexandra told her flatly.
"You won't be able to do anything about it dear," Selene resumed her step down the hall, "we can only hope she goes unnoticed for as long as possible."
"I'm not planning for us to be here for very long."
Alexandra had no idea how she would make that reality, but she was still determined.
Selene sighed. "You'll get over those feelings in time, I did."
An emergency Landskyp had been called in Avindr. Representatives rushed from each of the Noble Houses to attend the meeting. It was unheard of to have two Landskyp sessions in one season. Whispers and rumors filled the hall as the representatives assembled and waited for the gathering to begin. The representatives from the elder and richer Houses took their place around the center oval of the sloped room. The representatives from all the other Houses filled in behind them. Many of the usually attendees of the Landskyp were not present because of the short notice. The Houses sent the nearest named family member available, many of the families now distant from the capitol for the season. Any named family member had the full representation power of their House, so the nearest one to the capitol rushed to the Landskyp to be their House's voice.
The Praten, a Watcher selected to moderate the Landskyp, finally took his place in the center of the room. The Praten always carried a huge staff, gold, seven feet tall. It did nothing, merely a symbol of the position. The Praten served for two seasons, then was replaced by another Watcher at random. The Praten did not control or guide the Landskyp, he merely moderated it and kept things moving on schedule. He also was there to assure that the Base Law of Prydain was always kept, the basic laws which served as the foundations of the society. He tapped the end of his staff three times on the floor, announcing the beginning of the Landskyp.
"Praten," the representative from House Benedikt called out, "what is the meaning of this? The Landskyp has already ended this season. Many of us were already traveling to estates in the country, this is quite irregular."
"It is my doing," Ulfarr Cornelius called out from the opposite side of the center area, "I requested the Watchers call a new session, there is much we need to discuss."
"This is very strange Ulfarr," the representative from House Luciantal also spoke up, "there has never been two Landskyp's in a season, not since the end of the time of chaos."
"We are at a pivotal moment in our history," Ulfarr stepped out onto the floor, another very irregular move. "There has been an attack on the Watchers and the Winnowing Chamber. If I dare say though, it has done us a service, it has showed us the weakness of the system. We have grown soft, and unprepared for trouble. A group of Oonskat struck at our core, a rebellious act! An act of barbarous treason! We need a firmer hand in guiding Prydain, we cannot simply let it run and let it be. We need tighter control, to assure that nothing of this nature happens again."
"Yes, exactly!" the man from House Rindolyn excitedly concurred. "We need a firm hand dealing with these threats and to bring us further into this new glorious era!"
Ulfarr nodded at his fellow Noble. "Wise words for us all; we need a change. My House wants to help, we seek to best serve the nation."
"We do not need a single House controlling everything as you propose," House Benedikt tried to dissuade the group, "it's unheard of and dangerous."
"That is what House Archdeacon thought, my good Gerald Benedikt," Ulfarr gave him a sly smile, "and look at the tragedy that befell them. Killed by Land Pirates, they also did not see the need for the reforms that we proposed back then either."
More whispers all around the chamber.
"What are you saying?!" Gerald almost jumped into the center himself.
"Nothing, except that my House will step up and assume all responsibilities for policing Avindr, as well as the National Patrols. We have the resources and the will to do so."
"That gives you control of the entire country!" the man from House Divorna pointed out.
There were many whispers and murmurs from the representatives gathered. Ulfarr waited for them to die down before speaking again, as if a performer putting on a carefully-planned show.
"My House has humbly served the country for many years, and we strive for ways to serve it better in the years to come. We do not seek power, we only seek peace."
"You seek only to rule!" House Benedikt was direct to the point. "You already have too much sway!"
"My good man," Ulfarr sounded very gracious and patient, "we do not want to wrest power from anyone, we want to build Prydain up. That is why we have called this Landskyp, we put this proposition to the Houses and ask them to vote and decide."
"Many of the seasoned representatives could not be in attendance given the short notice of this session," House Benedikt shot back. "It is not wise to make a paradigm-shifting vote with representatives who do not have experience in the Landskyp."
"Every representative here has the full power of their House," Ulfarr glossed over the fact, "they have no more or less power than those that usually would attend. We are glad to see many new faces, we are glad that more can participate in our temple of democracy. Now, we ask for a vote and our House will abide by the decision. But remember, if you want peace and security, House Cornelius asks you to allow us to bring it to you."
"At the tip of a sword!" the representative from House Divorna blurted out.
The Praten tapped his staff on the ground. "Is there an accusation of wrongdoing?"
"No Praten," House Divorna had no proof. As much as Gerald Benedikt wanted to pursue the issue, he knew that he had no solid evidence to actually prove any malfeasance.
"Then let the vote be made. Speak up and say the position of your House."
"House Benedikt will have none of it"
"House Divorna also rejects this blatant power grab."
"House Rindolyn votes yes."
"House Maren also votes a resounding yes."
"House Glypp says no."
"House Varolyn is proud to support the glorious House Cornelius."
"House Benham will follow House Cornelius' lead."
Gerald glanced over with disgust at the representative of House Benham. "Of course you would, they run you don't they? Why do we even bother calling you your own House these days? It's like watching a puppet on a string."
It was a bold statement, and one that drew the ire of the Praten.
"Quiet," the Praten tapped his staff on the ground once more. "Do not disrupt the vote; all votes are legitimate."
"House Bradana votes yes for peace," the rotund representative from the Bradana Family officially entered their vote; they did not want anything to disrupt their comfortable living.
The voting went on for another hour. When the Praten announced the result, it was no surprise to anyone keeping check of the votes. The motion passed with an overwhelming majority. House Cornelius now could assume complete control of the National Patrols as well as the city guards, a place they had already mostly assumed though in an unofficial capacity. The Patrols and the soldiers guarding the important points in the city were already mostly composed of Cornelius soldiers, but now it would be complete.
Ulfarr seemed pleased, and thanked the delegates for entrusting their safety to them.
"I assure you we will do our best to assure prosperity for all," he promised as the Landskyp ended.
The representative from House Benedikt just shook his head, he was ashamed that the Landskyp broke centuries of tradition and effectively named House Cornelius as the ruling House. While it said that nowhere on paper, the fact they controlled the enforcement of law in the nation meant that they could enforce their particular views of the law, essentially without question. He was saddened that so many could be fooled, the fear of the status quo being disrupted had them so blind that they ended the status quo themselves with this vote.
Many felt that House Cornelius already held too much influence, but this new fear of a possible revolt scared most back into line. It was also a well-known but never discussed fact that many Houses like Benham and Rindolyn were essentially just fronts for House Cornelius at this point, Cornelius having taken control of several Houses quietly behind the scenes. This was usually done through fabricating scandals or backroom deals.
"They're like spiders." Gerald said to no one but himself.
House Cornelius was drawing its web around the nation, itself sitting in the center with the power.