Darkness Falling: Soldiers and Slaves (13 page)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The sun was setting when Gleyth's house slaves came in to help her dress. Her gown was made of black satin lined with silver piping, expertly tailored for a perfect fit. Her slaves twisted her long black hair atop her head; adorning the dark strands with silver combs set with pearls and diamonds. At her neck they laid a magnificent diamond necklace passed down from the days when Ka Oren first raised the clan of Ka onto the throne. In the mirror her reflection was perfection.

Gleyth saw nothing but the chains of her opulent prison.

Her slaves stepped aside, bowing as she exited the chamber. Outside, she found a formal escort; four Imperial guards in their navy blue dress uniforms with silver buttons on the coats. The Enforcers flanked her on all sides. Gleyth kept her head bowed as they traveled down through the Tower, feeling as if they were leading her to her doom rather than a party.

Just outside the ballroom they paused to wait for the formal announcement. Two male slaves waited patiently for their cue, until at last they swung the doors opened. Ky Gleyth Kei’Oren stepped through to the thunder of applause. Playing her role, she nodded and waved to the guests with a smile. The nobles crowded close in their finery. Slaves moved among them with trays of hors d'oeuvres and glasses of champagne. The orchestra played a cheerful tune in time to her gait. Her father and mother stood at the far end of the room on a raised dais with the head table behind them. She stepped up to stand between them.

The music fell silent.

All eyes turned to Ka Harn as he began to speak, “It is with gratitude that We thank you all for attending this glorious occasion. Ky Gleyth is one of the greatest joys in Our life. We have watched her flower from an infant into a fine woman. On this night, that of her twentieth turning, all of us shall celebrate the end of her childhood and the beginning of her womanhood. At the conclusion of the evening, we shall announce her engagement.”

The crowd applauded. Gleyth's eyes swept across the faces of the young men in the crowd. She clasped her hands before her to keep herself from fidgeting.

“Let the festivities begin!” Ka Harn raised his arms, signaling the orchestra to resume.

Gleyth gratefully took her seat, her knees weak from anxiety. Slaves came out from the kitchens carrying the first course. Harn took his usual place at the center of the long table. Xander was at his right, his face emotionless. She was surprised he was in attendance. At least he was behaving. Len sat at the end of the table looking small and confused. To the left Ky Thella sat beside her husband, followed by Gleyth and her sisters Kerra and Tana.

“Isn't this exciting?” Kerra asked with a giggle.

Gleyth merely smiled. Her sisters were much more deserving of such attention. They actually wanted to be part of the system, blind to the reality it represented.

A bowl of clear yellow broth garnished with fresh herbs was set before her. She dipped her spoon into the liquid but merely stirred it instead of taking a taste. Her disinterest in the soup foretold her attitude for the remainder of the meal. As with any state dinner there were four courses; soup, vegetable, meat, and dessert. None of it was appetizing. The meat was beef, which only made her wonder how well the people in the city were eating that evening. At the last the dessert was a vanilla cake with cherry frosting.

“Perhaps you'll feel better if you were moving,” Thella offered, smiling sympathetically. “I didn't feel much like eating at my celebration either.” She reached over and squeezed her daughter's hand, reminding Gleyth that she wasn't alone.

The music changed and the dancing began. The first to offer his arm was Hei Laren, he bowed low before leading the princess out onto the dance floor. Producing her practiced smile, Gleyth was whirled around the floor. After the first turn others began to join them. She was grateful when her next companion was her cousin Drody.

“Are you excited for the big announcement?” He asked as they swayed and spun.

“Excited isn't the right word,” she admitted without giving away too much.

“Do you have any idea who the lucky man will be?”

Gleyth shook her head, “No, do you?” For a moment she was hopeful.

“No,” he grinned mischievously, “I have a bet with Yin it will be someone nearby, though. Your father couldn't let you get out of his sight.”

She wasn't sure how she felt about her future being used in a wager, but she hoped he was right. The music changed and she turned to the next outstretched arm. Her eyes widened when she discovered it did not belong to a nobleman.

“You,” she breathed, her heart skipped and her smile faded.

Kevie smiled, his green eyes sparkled with warmth. “It’s all right. Garinsith gave us the evening off, and we have been invited as guests by Ka Harn himself.” He spun her around, catching her at the waste as she returned. “As a guest I’m allowed one dance with the most beautiful woman in the Empire, am I not?”

She felt a blush climb up her neck and into her cheeks. “I don't know, she might be around here somewhere,” Gleyth replied coldly.

Kevie laughed at her jest. She didn't want to feel flattered by this man. He was dangerous.

Why did she feel safe when he was near?

To her surprise, he was an elegant dancer. As they moved in unison across the floor, his gaze pulled her in and her anxiety lifted. Everything around them faded back. They were alone in a sea of faces. The music changed and he released her, bowing low before he stepped back into the crowd.

Before she could move to follow him, Gleyth was swept away by another young man. Kevie vanished from sight as if he hadn't been there at all. After two more songs she was tired. She bowed out to return to her seat. Her eyes scanned the room but he was nowhere to be seen.

Taking the cue from her inactivity, Ka Harn stood in front of the table once more. The music stopped abruptly and everyone paused. He held out his hand, an invitation for her to join him at his side.

“Now, We shall formally announce the engagement of Ky Gleyth Kei'Oren,” an excited rush of whispering washed through the crowd. Harn waited for it to stop. “Fei Arentey Fei’Escareyn,” he said, nodding in the young man's direction.

Arentey stood near the edge of the dais, which was clue enough for Gleyth to understand the truth; he had known. Taking his place beside her he took her by the hand, raising it triumphantly. He'd won his prize. The crowd cheered.

She knew little of Arentey as an adult but remembered him as a child. Like many of the young boys born into power he was somewhat pompous, but she could think of nothing to label him a bad person. His father was head of state at Rau’Tesche-Enra on Renenook. The pairing made sense, as it was nearer her station than the nobles who lived within the Ekaran boarder.

Gleyth couldn't help but take notice that Drody was shaking his head while Yin laughed beside him. He lost his bet. Despite that, she felt her father was concerned for her safety, which would be another reason to join her to the Fa. The Renenoors people had been part of the Empire for a long time. There had not been a threat of war there since before the Ka had taken the throne. With rumors of rebellion upon Ekaran soil, he was removing his daughter from danger.

The newly engaged couple was obligated to dance. The floor remained empty as Arentey lead Gleyth around the room. It was her first opportunity to learn something of him before the wedding.

“Did they tell you beforehand?” she was curious if he would admit the truth.

“I've known for almost a year,” he laughed, his dual colored eyes sparkling with pride.

She forced herself to keep smiling but the revelation made her angry. The dance ended and she curtsied to him.

“I apologize. I'm not feeling well,” she said. “I'm going to get some air.”

“It is hot in here. Do you want me to accompany you?” He offered kindly.

She shook her head. “No, thank you, I just need a moment.”

Turning, she hurried back toward the doors. It felt as if her dress was constricting, the necklace around her neck began to strangle her. In the solitude of the corridor she rubbed at her neck, forcing herself to breathe. She wanted to tear herself free and run screaming.

There was nowhere to go.

“Is it possible that the princess is displeased with her future husband?” Kevie's voice said from behind her.

Gleyth jumped, spinning around. Her eyes were welling with angry tears.

“Would you please stop sneaking up on me,” she commanded.

“I apologize,” Kevie bowed. “I am trained in the art of stealth.” 

She watched him as he watched her. His expression was always difficult to read. She couldn't decide if he was being kind or patronizing.

“I don’t feel well,” she said at last.

“I can see that,” he nodded. “I understand.”

She scoffed at his statement. “How could you possibly understand?”

“You are a woman in an environment that treats women little better than their slaves. For some it is easy to play the part and live day to day, but not for you. You are intelligent and inquisitive. You want to use the power that is just beyond your grasp, but you are denied and overlooked.” He moved closer to her as he spoke. “You have lived your life as the High Princess, an ornament in a Tower shaped jewel box.”

He was standing close enough that she could have wrapped her arms around him, but they did not touch. She stared up at him, confused and intrigued at the same time. Her heart raced even as her mind protested.

“How do you know?” Her voice trembled.

“I come from a world very different than yours, Gleyth. The Master Keeper knows that ignorance breeds discontent, and we are not denied the right of education. I was not raised to think as your people do. Garinsith prizes intelligence and power in both males and females. How do you think Commander Jilorn attained her post? It was not by offering her body to him, I assure you.”

Gleyth stared into his eyes, longing to see this world he described. It was somewhere out there, beyond the steel and glass of Empire Tower.

“You don’t need to fear me, Gleyth. Know that my master understands you have a gift, and he asked me to watch over you.”

She blinked, “Petor Garinsith ordered you to watch me?” She breathed. It suddenly made sense.

“Yes, but that's not the only reason. I wanted to be the one,” he said, a soft smile playing at his lips.

“Why?”

“When I first saw you in the corridor I knew you were special,” Kevie's fingers softly brushed the back of her hand, “and I wanted to keep you safe.”

“Safe from what?” She was already safe.

“Many things are happening in the world, Gleyth, and I don't want you to be lost in them,” his explanation clarified nothing, but she believed him.

Kevie suddenly raised his head and took a step back. The doors opened and her youngest sister emerged with a gaggle of other girls in tow. They were laughing and took no notice of Gleyth and her companion. When they were gone Kevie sighed, relieved. Could it be that he truly felt more for her than the duty placed upon him by his master?

“Good night, princess,” he bowed before he turned and walked away.

Gleyth watched him go, folding her hands before her. She wasn't sure how to feel. Bound to one man but desired by another, and both of them strangers. Unwilling to return to the party, Gleyth decided instead to hide in her rooms. Perhaps tomorrow she would find clarity in the uncertainty she was presented.

* * *

The dinner was ended. As the music began for dancing, Tyn took the opportunity to extract himself from the party. It was a simple affair. The Ekarans were a closed minded people, caring little for outsiders. Tyn, with his platinum blond hair and pale skin, was clearly not a native and by no means nobility. He wasn’t worth a second glance. If anyone took notice of him slipping out the door they likely thought he was merely a slave on an errand. They might even be happy to think he would not sully their evening with his presence.

He was glad to be done with it.

Upholding the friendly relations with the Emperor dictated that Garinsith and his soldiers attend the celebration. Tyn disliked crowded places. His sensitivity to energy was such that he was easily overloaded. It was far worse in situations where those around him were unaware of their energy or emotions ran high, and the party was one such place. Tyn sighed in relief as the ballroom door snapped shut behind him, cutting him off from the worst of the barrage.

The guards at the elevator watched him but made no indication that they were suspicious of his motives. They had no reason to be, and he gave them none. He relaxed himself as the elevator descended down into the lower Tower, drinking in the silence that eased over him as he neared the earth.

The doors opened onto the Gallery. Night had deepened the shadows which in turn intensified the illumination of the spotlights on their artifacts. There had been a distinct shift in the energy of the room. Some of the relics must lay dormant during the day. Moving quietly, he allowed the magic to flow through him, tasting and admiring the craftsmanship of ages past.

A painting of a young woman was imbued with sorrowful fragments of a shattered soul, a suit of armor pulsated with the rage and lust of battle, and a writing desk capable of turning written words into legends were a few of the more interesting pieces. He could have spent hours perusing the neglected items. If only he had time to research them all, but he had to content himself with merely viewing them momentarily.