Chapter 9 #2
Gallmau had told her the Noviodunam had its own vetted servants—maids, chefs, gardeners—and the famed Shields of Thaschus, the Noviodunam’s private army.
Several of those elite soldiers, dressed in elegant uniforms of dark gray coats buttoned over black trousers, stood at attention around the hall.
Most were men, but some identically dressed women were among them.
All were either huge or lean and muscular, with no body types in between.
Strength and speed—the Shields recruited exclusively from candidates with those Gifts.
Waitstaff bustled around tables piled with food and drink, while a group of musicians played in the corner.
In the center, an enchanted fountain lit up the room with gold flames that sprayed out from the top and flowed into its wide basin, like the fire had been turned to liquid.
Meri’s apprehension gave way to a grudging sense of awe.
“The Lioness of Abdju.” A booming voice, at once familiar and—she had to admit—quite welcome, came from across the room.
A minute later, a tall and regal man came up to them, wearing the official robes of a Kushian sorcerer, embroidered silks in teals, aqua, and glistening white—the colors of water.
His turban, which framed an older and distinguished face with the same coloring as Meri’s own, featured a star sapphire set in the center.
A genuine smile came to her lips. Yes, it was him, and her old lover lived up to his name, in both bearing and in dress, not to mention his magical skills.
“Allow me to introduce the Grand Vizier of Abdju, Abarsam the Magnificent.” Meri crossed her two arms into an X on her chest and bowed.
The full salute, which she had often performed in the arena to the delight of her Continental fans, incorporated her famed curved swords.
Best to keep those hidden, though. She liked Abarsam very much, but here he was a witch amongst witches, and she was in enemy territory.
“Grand Vizier, may I present Monsieur Gallmau de Rohan.”
“A pleasure, Your Highness.” Abarsam bowed even more deeply in Gallmau’s direction, and Meri could see her friend squirm.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, but I have no title of note, much less the one you’re trying to give me.
” Gallmau gave Meri a sideways glance of half-alarm, half-shock.
He clearly hadn’t been expecting her to recognize any of the sorcerers at this event, much less be on good terms with one.
“I’m surprised you and Meri—know each other. ”
“Forgive an old man an understandable mistake.” Abarsam had a twinkle in his eye as he replied to Gallmau’s discomfort with the royal salutation.
Oh, but the famous water mage was always the charmer, wasn’t he?
“In Kush, the son of a king is—the son of a king. Your fame precedes you, Monsieur de Rohan, if that’s what you wish to be called.
As do the tales of your adventures with my dear Lioness here. ”
“How did you get here so quickly after the princess’s abduction?” Meri knew that for all of Abarsam’s powers, he couldn’t have traveled from Kush to Soissons in the few weeks since the kidnapping.
Seeing him sparked a flicker of hope she tried to repress without success.
She’d be lying to herself if she hadn’t thought about asking Abarsam for his help with her curse.
But she had been at once fearful the Grand Vizier wouldn’t be able to expel the dead necromancer and worried about what he would expect in return if he succeeded.
Better to be dead and free, than alive and imprisoned, even in a cage studded with diamonds.
Now here was Abarsam, representing a potential lifeline—and the fear of losing her freedom.
“I was in the south of Soissons and came as soon as I received word of this dreadful affair.” Abarsam raised his eyes heavenward.
The Grand Vizier was a consummate diplomat and could navigate the complexities of both Kushian and foreign politics with ease, but his religious devotion was not a convenient front.
He was truly pious. “I give thanks to the Prophets my son and I were close enough to offer our services.”
Abarsam turned and gestured to a group several paces away.
It was comprised of a gaggle of court women, all with plunging necklines and cascades of jewelry, gathered around one young man.
Strikingly handsome, he bore an unmistakable resemblance to Abarsam.
His broad shoulders were set off well by a long jacket in dark blue, covered in silver sigils.
She drew in a breath and concentrated. The man—or his coat—smelled like the silt-laden waters of her home.
Armor enchanted with magic, and all disguised as courtly clothing.
“Nice outfit.” Meri grinned at the Grand Vizier. “Your magic always smells the same to me.”
“My son Baahir.” Abarsam beamed at the young man, then turned back to Meri. “I see your unusual talent is as strong as ever. His coat has my magic in it, as do your blades. Quite clever of you to make them part of your dress for this evening.”
Meri wasn’t surprised Abarsam knew she had her swords on her—after all, he was the one who had given her the enchanted weapons—but she had hoped they wouldn’t be as easy to spot.
“Well, you’ve caught me.” She added a purr to her words, hoping flirtation might get her out of this situation. “Are you going to confiscate them? Your colleague, Magus Jacques, has already warned me of dire consequences if I misbehave tonight.”
“There’s no issue with you bringing weapons inside this space.
” Abarsam indicated their opulent surroundings with a wave of his hand.
“Using them, however, would be—inadvisable. I handled the arrangements myself. Employing any magical talent or object, including your swords, to harm anyone here would unleash a fatal curse.”
“That sounds like something we’d like to avoid.” Gallmau reached out to a passing server, who deposited a glass of wine into his hand. After a moment’s reflection, he took a gulp. “I take it you and your son plan to join the rescue party?”
“Indeed, Your Highness.” Abarsam blithely ignored Gallmau’s earlier admonition about titles and gave him a warm clap on the shoulder.
“I’m here to support the Court of Soissons during this trying time.
To think a beautiful virgin princess could be spirited away by a necromancer from the royal palace—it’s like a dark tale spun by a storyteller in the souk .
Yet here we are. I’ll do all within my power to bring your sister back to the loving arms of her family. ”
The Grand Vizier left out the part about the Queen’s promise to marry Rixende off to one of her rescuers, but Meri knew him well enough to be sure he had considered the political advantages of his offer of assistance.
Abarsam could cement ties between Kush and Soissons and make his son the consort of the next Queen in one fell swoop.
Gallmau had been gazing at Baahir, perhaps assessing his potential as a husband for his sister, or maybe as a tumble for himself, but he snapped his attention back to the Grand Vizier. “Meri and I will also be going.”
Abarsam frowned. “Princess Rixende’s abductor is a necromancer of frightening power. Even your and the Lioness’s strength of arms would not be sufficient to overcome such a fiend.”
“We have a letter from Zhang Jue.” Gallmau swigged at his wine again, a grumpy expression on his face. “He asked me to return and help him, and when I did I found out my sister had been taken.”
Abarsam stared back at him, and Meri could all but see the Grand Vizier’s mind analyzing the new information.
“Magus Zhang Jue must have wanted you and the Lioness to accompany him. Two protectors are allowed with each invited sorcerer. You are brave indeed, and I of all people know how tenacious Lady Meri is in battling monsters of all kinds. But you can’t hope to overcome this level of death magic without a sorcerer by your side. Nor will the Synod allow it.”
“We’ll see,” Meri answered before Gallmau could start a fight with one of the strongest aquamagi in the world. Her friend’s face had darkened with anger, and this was not the time to argue. “The Queen requested our presence, and she has a right to attend the Synod’s meetings.”
The Grand Vizier opened his mouth to speak, then closed it into a tight smile.
“Magus Jacques is the current moderator of the Synod since Magus Odart’s…
retirement. I must defer such questions to him.
In the meantime, may I suggest trying the artistry of Qing cuisine.
The chefs here have produced a special menu for my party, with meat approved by the head of the House of Prophets in the city.
As for you, dear prince.” Abarsam turned back to Gallmau.
“I hope you have an opportunity to talk with my son. I think you’ll find the two of you have much in common. ”
Meri saluted the Grand Vizier again, even as Gallmau gave him a half-scowl, and Abarsam slipped away into the crowd.
“Since when are you so fond of witches?” Gallmau rounded on Meri even as he shook the glass in his hand at a passing waiter to ask for another drink. “Any cider here?”
A young woman wearing brown witch robes whisked away his glass and ran off. Hopefully she’d find something that would cheer her friend up.