The Missing Mage (12 page)

Sharon absorbed his explanation. “So your skill and imagination can draw on his connection with the earth?”

Quinton smiled brightly. “Exactly.”

Chapter sixteen

THE PALACE OF MERON was as opulent as the city was dingy. The city’s squalor stood in stark contrast to the extravagant wealth on display. Everet admired the emerald slate floors, the large marble columns, and decorative artwork that dominated the main entrance. As the servant inspected his invitation, Everet studied his surroundings. Once the servant was satisfied that his invitation was in order, another servant led Everet from the large entrance into the even larger hall where the majority of the king’s guests were congregating.

Musicians filled the cavernous space with beautiful background melodies that mingled with the murmurs of the crowd. While Everet waited for Bryant to find him, he walked around the large room, admiring the many marble statues that decorated the hall. While Everet was studying a statue of a king raising his sword in a victory, a fellow guest addressed him. “That statue is of King Gregor the Second. King Gregor was the great-grandfather to King Ganus,” spoke the stranger.

Everet turned and took in his new acquaintance’s appearance. An older gentleman dressed in a simple white tunic with gold trim, the man was not adorned in fine jewelry like many of the other guests. “And what is King Gregor the Second celebrating?” said Everet.

“This statue of the great king depicts him conquering the plains tribes to the south of here. A rebellion of the slave tribes that was successfully squashed.” The stranger’s voice was neutral, hiding his opinion on the virtue of the king’s success. “My name is Plavan; I do not believe I have seen you at one of these functions before.”

“That is because I have never attended one before. My name is Everet Bell; I am a business acquaintance of Bryant Bingham. This is my first trip to Meron.”

Plavan gave a small formal bow. “Well met, Everet Bell. How are you finding your trip to the grand capital city?”

Everet was cautious, but also intrigued. Plavan’s neutral tone when describing the king’s statue was noteworthy. Any noble without blind allegiance to the king was a potential ally. Everet would tread very carefully with this man. “This palace is a wonder, very different from the rest of Meron.”

Plavan gave a small weary halfhearted smile. “Yes, the palace of Meron is definitely one of the wonders of the world, its riches are breathtaking. Mostly built on the backs of slaves, but if that is what the gods wish, who are we mortals to argue.”

Interesting thought Everet, Plavan’s body language and tone of voice certainly held notes of disapproval about the way things were done in Meron. As Everet pondered his reply, they were interrupted by the arrival of Bryant.

“Everet, I see you are meeting new people. Plavan, good to see you again. How are things in the south?”

“The sun shines, the clouds bring rain, and the south brings crops for the capital. All is as it always is Lord Bingham,” replied Plavan.

 “The capital is always grateful for the bounty provided by its sub regions. Plavan, do you mind greatly if I borrow Everet for a moment?”

“Everet it was a pleasure discussing the virtues of the great King Gregor the Second with you. Perhaps we shall meet again,” said Plavan.

Everet noted how Plavan’s description of the marble statue changed to a more admiring tone when another guest was standing with him. “Yes, it was a pleasure learning a little about the great city of Meron. Perhaps you can teach me more, one day.”

Plavan’s eyebrow rose slightly as he studied Everet. “Yes, perhaps that could happen.”

As Everet and Bryant walked away from Plavan, Bryant spoke. “I would not have pulled you away from Plavan but Lady Severa is here with Connard, and he has had a few drinks already. I thought it best if he was reminded of his role before he is too stupefied to fulfill it.”

 Everet could see the wisdom in Bryant’s suggestion. The smallest things could ruin the most brilliant plot; a drunken noble had better not be his downfall, he thought to himself as they walked. When Everet noticed Lady Severa he almost tripped, so distracted that he had almost forgotten how to walk. Wearing a deep red formal gown, she fit right in among the other ladies attending the ball. Her beauty was magnified by the dress, and by way she had her beautiful blonde hair done up into a bun with bangs accentuating her classic facial features. Everet had always found the woman attractive, but tonight she was exceptionally alluring. Pretending to be interested in her would be the easiest acting he had ever done.

Once his eyes finally left Lady Severa, Everet notice Connard Bingham. The deceitful and devious young lord indeed had a glass of wine that was disappearing quite rapidly. Everet put on his best friendly, yet dangerous smile and addressed the man. “Connard Bingham, so good to see you again.”

Connard’s eyes grew big as he recognized Everet. The fear momentarily paralyzed him, then he remember Bryant’s words that if he played his part, introduce him to Lady Severa, and then forgot about the whole ordeal, that his chances of living would increase substantially. Connard forced a small smile. “Ah Everet Bell, always a pleasure. Have you met Lady Severa yet?”

“Yes, actually I have. I was having lunch with your cousin the other day when we were introduced.” Everet turned to Severa. “Lady Severa, it’s a pleasure to see you again. May I say you look absolutely ravishing tonight. “

Severa gave a small curtsy and replied. “Good evening, Everet. I was hoping you might attend the ball tonight. Besides Connard and Bryant, I have very few dance partners available to me. I do hope you will save me a dance or two.”

Before Everet could reply, Connard burst back into the conversation. “Actually I am afraid I will not be able to dance with you this evening Lady Severa, I am starting to feel a little ill. Perhaps I drank my wine a tad too quickly tonight. I am afraid I will be retiring shortly.”

Everet was impressed, Connard had managed to both fulfill his duty to make an introduction, while still leaving early in manner that wouldn’t cause comment. It seemed that his choice to drink tonight was a well thought out plan. It would not be a good idea to underestimate the cunning of the man, Everet thought to himself before replying. “We shall be sorry to see you leave, Connard, It looks like I may have do double dancing duty to make up for your absence.”

As Connard walked away, Severa gave a small laugh. “I am not sure if was the ale or the thought of dancing that made Connard ill. I shall take you up on your offer Everet, but before we begin dancing, have you had a chance to see the palace gardens yet? They are exceptionally breathtaking and have been completely lit up with lanterns for this evening.”

“This is my first visit to the king’s palace, so no; I have not had an opportunity to view the gardens yet. I will gladly accompany you for a walk.” Everet lifted his arm formally. “Shall we?”

Severa wove her arm into his, “Absolutely, good sir. Come this way.”

As they walked through the hall towards the gardens, several of the guests took note of them. Mostly they were drawn to the beauty of Lady Severa, but several noticed Everet, recognizing him as a foreigner from Solotine and a new face to the palace. One of the many that took note of the couple was the king’s young cousin, Lord Harold, a man with a voracious appetite for female companionship. Of all the young ladies in attendance this evening, Lady Severa was the one he intended to bed that night. Rare was the occasion when the young lord was rejected. Good looks and his stature as a lord were blessings Harold used wisely when wooing women. He gave little thought to the lady’s companion, the foreigner.

The gardens were as beautiful as Severa had promised. Elaborate, intricate cobblestone paths meandered through a maze of exotic flowers and shrubs. The bright, moonlit night needed little help from the lanterns to illuminate the paths. Everet felt surprisingly comfortable walking with the beautiful woman at his side. He had rarely found any woman to be interesting enough to pursue but Severa, with her shady past, quick wit, and stunning beauty was an exception. He was drawn to her like a moth to the lantern’s light along their path. “Tell me Lady Severa, how are you enjoying tonight’s performance.” They were out of hearing range of any other guests and able to speak freely.

Severa smiled at Everet. “It is a lovely fiction, being a lady of nobility, accompanied through a wondrous garden by a dashing and dangerous fellow such as yourself. I shall miss it when we are done with this fable.”

Everet walked silently for a moment before replying. “And if the opportunity to continue this fable were there, would you chose to do so?”

“Don’t tease me, Everet. I have done my best tonight and have held up my end of the bargain. Don’t be cruel and pretend to offer me a life beyond any I could make on my own accord,” said Severa, stopping to turn and face Everet.

Everet looked deep into her eyes. “No teasing, I am building a life as Everet; if you chose to build a life as Lady Severa I would have you by my side. Let us head back in, and together we shall turn our fiction into reality.”

Severa gave a gentle smile and spoke softly. “I would like that very much.”

Upon returning to the great palace hall, they found Bryant awaiting them. “Lady Severa, would you care to join me on the dance floor? I simply must have the first dance with the most beautiful woman here tonight.”

Severa gave Bryant a big smile, “It would be my pleasure. If you would excuse me Everet I must swoon for a moment at the lovely Lord Bingham and accompany him onto the dance floor.”

Everet chuckled. Severa certainly could lay it on thick when the moment called for it. “By all means, I shall be wandering around admiring more of the king’s statues, we shall dance later.”

While Bryant gracefully led Severa over the dance floor, Lord Howard watched carefully. The stunning woman moved well. Howard’s desire for Severa increased by the moment. He would have her this evening by any means necessary. As the song ended and Bryant led her off the dance floor, Howard moved to intercept them. “Bryant Bingham, how dare you hog all of the beautiful women.” Lord Howard exclaimed as he closed in on them, giving his biggest smile.

Bryant recognized him and smiled, despite the warning sounds going off in his head. Lord Howard was famous for his womanizing ways and having him pursue Severa would not go over well with Everet. However, making an enemy of someone as powerful as Lord Howard would serve no purpose. Lady Severa and Everet would have to survive this snake pit on their own. All Bryant could do was be polite and give the lord an introduction. “Lord Howard, you shall have to forgive me, I would love to keep this young lady to myself all night if it were not rude to do so.” Bryant turned to Severa “Lady Severa, may I introduce you to Lord Howard, he is first cousin to our king.”

Between the leering smile of Lord Howard and the detailed introduction from Bryant, Severa understood the situation perfectly. This man was a very powerful figure in the kingdom and one who with she would have to tread carefully. “Lord Howard, it’s a pleasure.”

Howard smiled, thinking Bryant had introduced him as the king’s cousin as a way of showing his importance, not recognizing it for the warning it was. “May I have the next dance, Lady Severa?”

“Of course,” Severa replied.

When the song ended, Lord Howard made his move. “Lady Severa, how would you like a private tour of the palace? My quarters have an amazing view of the kingdom.” Howard’s invitation to see his bedroom was not subtle, but he had never needed subtly before. Women were drawn to power and did what he asked, so when Severa deftly declined his invitation he was surprised.

“Actually Lord Howard, what I need right now is a glass of wine and to rest my feet for a moment. If you would excuse me, I believe Bryant was getting me a glass. Thank you for the dance, you move very gracefully, my lord.”

While they were dancing, Bryant had wondered over to Everet as he studied the statues. Howard watched Severa as she walked towards the men. When Severa and Everet made eye contact, Lord Howard realized she desired the foreigner. He was instantly enraged, a woman would choose a lowly foreigner over him? Howard would make this man pay for impeding his plans. When Severa left the men to head towards a servant carrying wine, Howard moved quickly to walk past Everet. As he strolled past, he intentionally bumped into Everet, stumbled and took an exaggerated step back. Fury crossed Howards face as he spoke, “How dare you bump into me. You uncouth, foreign bastard.”

Everet had seen Lord Howard approaching. While the lord was dancing with Severa, Bryant had given Everet a warning about his reputation with woman. Everet did not know if this was a weakness he could exploit or a danger. He had planned on avoiding the man for the time being until he could formulate a plan, but the aggressive way the lord walked towards eliminated that option. When Howard walked by, bumping him and pretending to be insulted, Everet understood the situation perfectly. Despite Severa’s graceful attempt at dissuading the lord, Howard wanted to make an issue of the matter.

Normally, Everet would not be concerned by the lusts and desires of a lord; there was a time when he would have gladly let Howard pursue Severa if it meant his own advancement. However, this time was different. Everet did not intend to step aside for the lusty lord. When Howard yelled insults at him, it made Everet’s decision even easier. Whatever the cost to his ambition, he would not cower before this man. He would however, attempt to defuse the situation. “My apologies my lord, I was distracted by the beauty of the palace artwork. If I had seen you coming, I would have surely moved out of your way.”

“Not only are you a dirty foreigner, you are also a liar. You tried to trip me. I will have satisfaction. Meet me in the gardens in fifteen minutes. Find a sword.” With his challenge thrown, Howard slowly turned as if to walked away. He expected Everet to cower and beg him for mercy.

“As you wish, my lord,” Everet simply replied.