Bk 2: Chapter Six (18)

The night had taken possession, willing all to sleep, and willing silence to stretch the land. In guest quarters overlooking a still marshland, a small figure's eyes sprung open and she sat up abruptly in alarm only to pause at the person seated in front of her.

"Lady D'huile," she whispered in shock.

"Madam, Madam D'huile," The person corrected offhandedly, "You are not as sharp as you used to be. Has gaining favour of that Lord Gunt dulled your senses?" the woman said. Only then did she notice there was one more person in the room. The moonlight may have highlighted Madam D'huile's form, but the figure was still shrouded in darkness.

"Who might this be?" she asked.

"Lord Morge. He should not be here," the dark skinned woman sent a glare at the man in the corner.

"Some of us don't have free time, where is the token, Ry Isru?" Lord Morge asked and Madam Ry revealed a pendant hidden in her clothes.

"Could I ask what this is for?" she asked as she stretched out her hand towards the man in the corner. Her stepped forward and took the pendant without answering.

"You should not care too much about these things. After all, you are setting yourself up nicely as the Vigron Heir's concubine," Madam D'huile said childishly as she swung her hands around.

"You speak as though I have done wrong. The ancients, this is something this orphan had never foreseen. I am walking out in day light, you are not. I do not see my decisions as wrong," Madam Ry said defiantly.

"Oh? Do you think walking the night is wrong? Do you even know why Lord Gunt is here playing nice with this new king below him?" Madam D'huile asked with a slight smile and Madam Ry frowned slightly.

"To please that little queen in Juhntt, he lowers his head as tribute. Don't let this little power you think you have cloud your eyes," Madam D'huile said and Madam Ry looked away. She knew they were right. She knew that her position as a mediator sent by Lady Wickshire is the reason Lord Gunt allows her do as please. She could not allow this position be compromised.

"What do you want me to do?" she asked.

"You? Oh, that depends on you. Do you wish to be left alone?" Madam D'huile asked.

"No," she answered.

"Well, the Bloom Thaile Isle does not know of this opportunity as they have been left out of the loop. Knowing them, if the Vigron or Ligrel brought them this opportunity, they would ignore it. But if one brings it in as news as though being left out, they would choose much more clear headedly.

"The Bloom Thraile Isle?" she asked.

"What? You do not agree?" Madam D'huile said.

"That would mean…"

"Leaving this little heaven you have created for yourself. This is up to you. There will be a carriage to take you before the sun comes up. How you intend to let the Bloom Thraile isle know is up to you," Madam D'huile got up to leave. Madam Ry felt her brain spinning. Does she stay here and be concubine or does she leave? She is very much aware that staying means being abandoned by Madam D'huile and no more having any connection to Lady Wickshire. It is only a matter of time before she will be discarded by Lord Gunt from there.

"What do I tell them?" she asked. Her decision was already made for her.

"Lady Wickshire made Juhntt the root of the broken tree; there will come a time when the root of the broken tree will step outside Thriergor to face other worlds. Juhntt's new queen will take with her some great powers. She is very interested in the ancients. The change in the ancients is related to this," she said and turned away.

"Other worlds, do they exist?" Madam Ry asked.

"Won't you find out soon?" Madam D'huile chuckled lightly into the night as her form vanished inhumanly.