774I landed on my side.
It sounds innocuous enough, but my arm – pinned to my sides with the ropes – cracked sickeningly, my ankle bent awkwardly under my body, and the bush that I landed in happened to be somewhat thorny. Fire went shooting through my right limbs. For a moment I lay there in some state of shock, allowing myself to soak in the pain, trying to focus myself. If this bush hadn't been here to cushion my fall – but I couldn't think of that. Focus on getting to the banquet room, I told myself.
It was dark, still, but I could see faint orange light in the distance, towards the servants' quarters. Inching through the plant like a worm, I inelegantly scrambled out of the bush.
"Help!" I screamed, my adrenaline granting me a voice, although I had no doubt it would be temporary. "Help –"
To my sick relief, a bobbing light came towards me – stopped – I screamed louder, my voice giving out –
"Who's there?" a gruff male voice inquired, and I was looking at the scarred old face of a gardener. His face was pockmarked and he walked with a limp; his beard was gray and scraggly, and he had a twitching eye. But he was the most beautiful sight in the world to me at that moment.
"Untie me," I gasped, sitting up with difficulty. "Please –"
The gardener looked extremeley nonplussed but obliged, bending his gnarled hands down to work at my arm. "Good gog, what's got you into such a knot?"
I didn't appreciate the pun, but I answered, trying to contain my impatience at how slow he was going. "I was tied up," I explained.
"I wouldna have guessed, lady."
I suppressed the urge to glare. He was rescuing me, after all. "I need to get to the banquet room. Has the feast started?"
"I wasna invited, marm." He grunted as one of the knots untied, and my right arm could breathe again. "But it started half an hour ago."
Half an hour – well, drinks most certainly had been served, then, at least. I only prayed that Alazne's poison wasn't intended for the drinks. Surely she couldn't murder hundreds of people. Oh yes she could, I corrected myself, feeling my stomach lurch again with nerves. "I need to warn them that they're in danger. It's urgent. Lives are in danger," I babbled, my left leg completely free now.
"Well, calm yourself down, marm, I'm working on it," the gardener retorted tetchily.
I had to repeat to myself that I was in debt to him. It was easier once the ropes had completely fallen from me. Deep red welts ran into my arm, the individual fibers imprinted as a maze on my skin. For the first time I felt a sharp pain in my left thigh. As I groped around in the pocket in my petticoat, my heart sank. The shattered remains of Flin's indigo glass bird rested in my bloody palm. A lump arose in my throat – it must have broken as I was wriggling out of the bush.
"Didn't you say, marm, that you was in a hurry?" the old man remarked with heavy irony in his rough voice.
I stood carefully, wobbling, feeling lightheaded as the blood rushed from my upper body. "Thank you," I said shakily, and then he turned around and limped away.
His disability was nothing compared to mine. Whether it seems possible or not, I actually accomplished limping on two feet. Hobbling painfully, I made my way towards the lit kitchens, my progress agonizingly slow. I felt the heat of panic on the fringes of my mind, but fiercely I kept it at bay by thinking of one step at a time. One step, one step, one step closer, one more -
It was a strange journey, full of pyschological demons – fear, panic, pain. I had no idea how long it took to get to the bustling kitchens; it could have been ten minutes, or it could have been an hour. Finally I got to one of the open doors and poised myself to enter when someone yelled. Breaking glass and clattering plates made the entire room grind to a halt.
"Who's that?" someone screeched, pointing at me.
I was not in any condition to blush, even when they all openly stared at me. Automatically I glanced down at my once-beautiful dress. The gorgeous lavendar beads had fallen off or were hanging by threads; the sapphire satin was crumpled and ripped. I obviously looked a complete tramp.
"Lady Liss?" asked an incredulous voice – my maid Sojia. She came cautiously towards me, her forehead crinkled in confusion. "What happened?"
"I need to get to the banquet room," I said firmly; there was no time to explain.
"Your beautiful dress," Sojia protested faintly. "Lady Liss –"
"What's the fastest way in?"
Bewildered, she pointed to her right, and I pushed past her. "Lady Liss, you can't go in like that!" she wailed, but I limped through the wide path the alarmed kitchenfolk had left for me. Pushing through the double doors, I found myself in the corner of the gigantic hall. People were milling around, glasses of deep red wine in their hands, not noticing the little ragamuffin in the corner yet. For a moment I was overwhelmed with the sheer amount of people – who would I warn?
To my relief, I saw the familiar old face of His Highness of Cliadis – on the other side of the room. Determinedly I stomped my way towards him, first attracting only a few shocked looks, and then as I neared him, people actually stopped talking. I could not get embarrassed –
Then I saw her. It was Alazne, my captor, standing and chatting next to the Prince nonchalantly. Before I could react properly, her eyes landed on me. I could not tell if any emotion crossed her mind, for she merely made her face completely blank. My heart nearly stopped as she deliberately called a passing waiter and offered the Prince the food –
"No!" I yelled, and launched myself at the waiter, knocking his tray down. The clatter made the conversation stop, and the Prince was looking at me in dismay and shock. "Your Highness, do not eat anything," I gasped. The waiter was backing away from me; Alazne still had no expression on her face, though she looked at me in a way that intimidated me.
"Lissandra?" the poor Prince queried, his eyes wide. "What happened to you, child?"
"Alazne tied me up," I said, my voice breaking a little. From the corner of my eye, I saw my mother run up, and then my heart somersaulted as Flin Cardif appeared at my side. "I overheard her talking to someone – she planned to poison someone at this banquet!"
If conversation had stopped before, now all movement had stopped. For a moment the room was eerily silent, with the hush of impending diplomatic disaster.
The Prince looked aghast and worried at the same time. Oh, goodness, if he didn't believe me –
"Honestly, your Highness, I didn't become like this just playing in the mud," I pleaded. "Please believe me."
Alazne spoke, her voice sending chills down my back. Calmly, she said, "Sire, I assure you the girl's raving mad. Look, I'll eat this for you." And ever so easily, she popped the little breadroll into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. She looked at me with triumph gleaming in her eyes – along with hatred.
"Lissandra, surely – you must be distressed –" His Highness struggled for words; the Princess had come to stand with him.
"You have to believe me," I said frantically. "You have to." There was an awkward silence, and I stood fighting tears.
"Lissandra, where did you come from?" Flin asked carefully, placing his hand on my shoulder and pivoting me around to face him.
I gulped and swallowed for a moment to regain control before saying in a wobbly voice, "Alazne's room. I broke the window to escape – there are ropes outside – I can prove it."
"This is an outrage," Alazne hissed poisonously. "If my room was used to tie up this girl, I certainly would like to know who's responsible because I had nothing to do with it. Sire, I assure you that this injustice will not sit well with Queen Ha'nai."
"Let's discuss this calmly," the Prince began. The threat of more conflict was alarming to everybody; a low murmur swelled up in the room and then died down.
"Flin, you have to believe me," I said urgently, my eyes wide and clear. He looked into my face silently for a moment, and then turned to the rest of the group. Belatedly I realized that the crowd was pressing in on our little circle; the entire banquet hall was straining to hear. I caught sight of Cadman in the crowd, looking thoughtful, and my father, looking worried. My mother's eyes met mine; she was granting me quiet support, and I thanked her wordlessly.
"Your Highness, I suggest we don't eat any food until this is cleared up," Flin announced. "Why don't we go to Alazne's room? At least to confirm Lissandra's story."
"I – I suppose," the Prince faltered. "It would be the best thing to do. Guards! Escort us to the ambassador's quarters."
Alazne swept past me, tight-lipped.
"Liss," Mamma said, hugging me with one arm. "What on Earth happened?"
The hordes were moving as one towards the doors, so the noise allowed me to quickly narrate my tale to my mother. Flin was behind me, listening as well.
"She was talking into something, you say?" Flin said pensively. "Something like, maybe, an Artifact?"
I looked at him, dumbfounded. An Artifact – "But Artifacts can't relay voice, can they?"
"There are different types, remember? I told you long ago. If we can get her on that –" Urgently he wormed himself through the crowd to the Prince, who was looking worried. Bending down, Flin whispered something to the old man, who halted immediately. I looked at Flin in pride; he was so competent and dependable. And charming.
"May I have silence," the Prince called. "Everybody move back. I will have Lissandra, Master Cardif, and all the representatives of the country in my council room immediately, please."
I followed the group out, trying to ignore the gawking and the whispers. I saw Kivan standing next to Leonus and his fiancee Teria, looking grave. It was the most mortifying event in my life.
The council room was on the same floor, and everyone fit in nicely. Lord Nicar was with Queen Selera, both of them conversing in low rapid voices. Cadman stood with his palms on the hilt of his ceremonial sword, and Sorang's heir was looking outraged in the corner. Alazne looked coldly around, turning her nose up, glaring at me periodically. Following all of us were four grim-looking soldiers, their hands on their weapons.
The Prince took the stage. "Now, young Cardif here informs me that Lissandra witnessed a conversation between Alazne and someone else, but there was nobody in the room. He reminds me of those ancient tools known as Artifacts, which are consequently banned on this continent."
I glanced at Flin. "Banned items, eh?"
He grinned at me. "Well, I did lose them. Technically, they're not in my possession any more."
"You might be surprised who actually has them," I said smugly, but before I could explain further, the prince went on.
"I am required by law to search you. It will be in accordance with strict protocol, of course."
She looked at him angrily. "I will not be subject to some humiliating search procedure," she said through clenched teeth.
"It is Cliad protocol, and we did outline safety procedures in our recent treaty," the Prince said sharply. "Please surrender all items from your pockets."
She slowly pulled out a few royas and a powder compact – and no Artifact. "Happy?" she said, barely moving her lips.
"No," his Highness said bluntly, and everyone looked at him in surprise and satisfaction. "Guards, take her into the next room and search her completely."
"I will not submit to the indignity of being stripped by men," she said coldly.
"You are mistaken. These are women."
One of the women soldiers – their hair was cropped short – winked at me as she marched Alazne into the nearby privy. I heard her protesting as they searched. My heart was beating wildly. My reputation was riding on this; if they found nothing, I would be labeled as a complete lunatic.
"Liss, don't worry," Flin said, touching my shoulder and giving it a comforting squeeze. "I believe you."
"That doesn't mean much of none of these people do," I said dolefully.
"Well, I really don't believe that you became like this by rolling in the mud. As strange as you are, I don't believe your hobbies extend to such an area of eccentricity."
I chuckled. "I can always rely on you for sound logic, Flin."
The soldier marched out. My stomach lurched. Glancing in my direction, she smiled – and held up a little orange disk, the exact same shape as the Artifacts that I had.
"Guilty as proven."
Thanks to Aestas Memoriala, Nam Ghosthand, Abigail Radle, Agent Solitude, Nyx, Alexis LePlume, SUmmer Raine, clair-a-net, Arej, Pheobe Meryll, For What Its Worth, Cariwyn, An Inside Joke, Alankria, peaches08, rrmehta364, Plinky, Loriency, Kaggr, Salt and Vinegar Pringles, SIlent Force, and Unexistant Existance.
I know, I know! It's been 3 weeks! I know! BUt honestly it's been the busiest three weeks of my life, so I justify myself. Anyways. Almost done now. We're on the home stretch. Btw, the jumping out of the window thing was not some psychotic death wish on her part. It was smart, wasn't it? The bush cushioned her fall. And the fact that the building is 2 stories doesn't mean much; they're shorter buildings. (I just made that up ;) Fantasy, guys. The great thing about it is that I can make these things up lol.
Nyx: Happy belated birthday! Yes, March babies are cool.
Arej: Smart, stupid, and desperate. Completely right.
Alankria: I love your reviews, they're very insightful. I really hope Liss isn't a Mary SUe because I despise Mary Sues with all my heart. I compPLETELY agree about Tamora Pierce's Aly. She was unbearable. In fact, I was surprised, because all of her other characters are perfectly imperfect except for Aly. Yuck.
Thanks for sticking with me, guys.