a deep breath; I had to be strong. It was what he would expect.
We turned down yet another corridor and I wanted to scream. Would this journey never end? We came to a pair of double doors and again Kano knocked, but this time he waited for the call to enter.
He pushed open the door and, taking a firmer grip on our chain, Kano tugged us inside. The door closed behind us, and this time the guard stayed on the other side of the door.
The room was large with high ceilings and thick, colorful rugs on the floor. Dominating the back wall was a row of three tall, narrow windows. I couldn't see what was beyond because they were draped with layers of fine busily patterned fabric, but the windows must be partially open as the drapes were billowing a little.
As I expected, Cor'lyn was in the room, but he wasn't alone. There was another man with him, seated in a high-backed chair lined with cushions. Cor'lyn was standing by the chair, and they were sharing a drink, some kind of alcohol I guessed judging by the slight flush on their cheeks. I got the distinct impression from his colorful attire and manner that the guest had some power in this place. It was confirmed when Cor'lyn gave the man a deferential nod before turning to Kano. At Cor'lyn's glance, Kano brought us forward to stand directly before the chair.
"Kano," Cor'lyn said softly, and immediately Kano unlocked and removed our chains.
I rubbed my wrists, glaring balefully at Cor'lyn and his companion.
"Welcome, Your Highness," the stranger said.
"And who might you be?"
Cor'lyn stepped forward. "Allow me to introduce High Councilor Briahm. Councilor, meet Prince Liander of Tesla."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness." Briahm remained seated as he inclined his head in my direction.
"I hardly consider it a pleasure to be kidnapped and kept in chains, High Councilor," I responded. I knew enough about this society to understand Briahm held an important position, more or less equivalent with their prime minister. From what I understood, these people didn't have kings or royalty, having disposed of such institutions long ago.
"I assure you, if I'd known your identity, you would have been given better accommodations. I'm known for my hospitality."
"Still in chains, I imagine." I had no patience for this kind of conciliatory talk. His actions were in direct contrast to his words.
"There are chains and then there are chains, Your Highness." The man had the audacity to smile.
"Oh, drop the title, Briahm. You have no respect for me, and I find it insulting. I'd like to see you speak so dismissively of chains when you've worn them every day for as long as I have." I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I could feel Hollis bristling beside me and discussing our captivity with this man would avail us nothing. "And what brings the High Councilor to this small backwater? Here to buy slaves?"
"My presence here is no concern of yours," Briahm said sharply. Then he gave a small smile and added, "However, your presence here is certainly of interest to me. I have long wished to encounter a member of the ruling house of Tesla."
"And why would that be?" Hollis queried before I could respond. "You have plans?"
Briahm sat up straight in his chair, his eyes chips of ice. "You allow your attendant to interrupt his betters?"
"Hollis is not my attendant. He is my Guardian and there is none better!"
"Guardian?" Briahm shifted his gaze to Hollis.
I didn't like the way his eyes narrowed as he studied Hollis. Damn, I had said too much. I cursed myself then for allowing my temper to control my tongue.
"That explains his skill," Cor'lyn commented. "One of the guides at the school thought Hollis should be teaching there."
"School? You dare to call that place a school? " I demanded. I stepped closer to Cor'lyn, my anger rising.
* * * *
I had to stop myself from stepping in front of Liander as he challenged Cor'lyn. I could sense something else was happening in this
We turned down yet another corridor and I wanted to scream. Would this journey never end? We came to a pair of double doors and again Kano knocked, but this time he waited for the call to enter.
He pushed open the door and, taking a firmer grip on our chain, Kano tugged us inside. The door closed behind us, and this time the guard stayed on the other side of the door.
The room was large with high ceilings and thick, colorful rugs on the floor. Dominating the back wall was a row of three tall, narrow windows. I couldn't see what was beyond because they were draped with layers of fine busily patterned fabric, but the windows must be partially open as the drapes were billowing a little.
As I expected, Cor'lyn was in the room, but he wasn't alone. There was another man with him, seated in a high-backed chair lined with cushions. Cor'lyn was standing by the chair, and they were sharing a drink, some kind of alcohol I guessed judging by the slight flush on their cheeks. I got the distinct impression from his colorful attire and manner that the guest had some power in this place. It was confirmed when Cor'lyn gave the man a deferential nod before turning to Kano. At Cor'lyn's glance, Kano brought us forward to stand directly before the chair.
"Kano," Cor'lyn said softly, and immediately Kano unlocked and removed our chains.
I rubbed my wrists, glaring balefully at Cor'lyn and his companion.
"Welcome, Your Highness," the stranger said.
"And who might you be?"
Cor'lyn stepped forward. "Allow me to introduce High Councilor Briahm. Councilor, meet Prince Liander of Tesla."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness." Briahm remained seated as he inclined his head in my direction.
"I hardly consider it a pleasure to be kidnapped and kept in chains, High Councilor," I responded. I knew enough about this society to understand Briahm held an important position, more or less equivalent with their prime minister. From what I understood, these people didn't have kings or royalty, having disposed of such institutions long ago.
"I assure you, if I'd known your identity, you would have been given better accommodations. I'm known for my hospitality."
"Still in chains, I imagine." I had no patience for this kind of conciliatory talk. His actions were in direct contrast to his words.
"There are chains and then there are chains, Your Highness." The man had the audacity to smile.
"Oh, drop the title, Briahm. You have no respect for me, and I find it insulting. I'd like to see you speak so dismissively of chains when you've worn them every day for as long as I have." I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I could feel Hollis bristling beside me and discussing our captivity with this man would avail us nothing. "And what brings the High Councilor to this small backwater? Here to buy slaves?"
"My presence here is no concern of yours," Briahm said sharply. Then he gave a small smile and added, "However, your presence here is certainly of interest to me. I have long wished to encounter a member of the ruling house of Tesla."
"And why would that be?" Hollis queried before I could respond. "You have plans?"
Briahm sat up straight in his chair, his eyes chips of ice. "You allow your attendant to interrupt his betters?"
"Hollis is not my attendant. He is my Guardian and there is none better!"
"Guardian?" Briahm shifted his gaze to Hollis.
I didn't like the way his eyes narrowed as he studied Hollis. Damn, I had said too much. I cursed myself then for allowing my temper to control my tongue.
"That explains his skill," Cor'lyn commented. "One of the guides at the school thought Hollis should be teaching there."
"School? You dare to call that place a school? " I demanded. I stepped closer to Cor'lyn, my anger rising.
* * * *
I had to stop myself from stepping in front of Liander as he challenged Cor'lyn. I could sense something else was happening in this
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