The Crown of the Conqueror

II

Rain drummed on the stone courtyard outside the window, an elemental reflection of Allenya's mood. A small square of embroidery sat in her lap, not even half-finished, untouched for several hours. She watched the rain running down the long leaves of the bushes outside, each droplet a tear from the sky, shed for those she could not cry herself. She barely noticed the servant adding logs to the fire, only dimly aware of someone else in the room with her.

"Is there anything I can fetch you, mistress?"

Standing at the door Allenya saw Laasinia, her chief handmaiden, greying hair tied back tightly, dressed in a simple robe of dark wool. Allenya shook her head and turned her gaze back to the window.

"Perhaps some broth or a cup of honey tea?" Laasinia continued. "I would not forgive myself if you caught a chill, mistress."

"Nothing," said Allenya.

She heard Laasinia crossing the room and flinched as the maid laid a hand on her mistress's arm. Allenya pulled away.

"Forgive me, mistress, but you do not appear to be well," said Laasinia, crouching down in front of Allenya. "For many days you have been afflicted by this melancholy. I fear that with winter upon us, your mood will worsen."

"Can you fetch my husband and sons?" Allenya said quietly. "Will you do that for me?"

Laasinia said nothing, for there was nothing for her to say. Allenya looked at her servant and saw a face creased with concern, hands gently trembling. Suddenly noticing that the room was cold, Allenya gestured towards a shawl bundled carelessly on one of the other chairs.

"You are right, it would do no good to fall ill," Allenya said as Laasinia helped her pull the shawl over her shoulders. She grabbed the maidservant's hand in both of hers. "Do you have family, Laasinia?"

The handmaid was taken aback by the question and took a moment to answer.

"I have two daughters, mistress," she said. "They work in your kitchens."

"And their father?"

Laasinia glanced away for a heartbeat and could not look at Allenya when she answered.

"He was a sergeant in the legions. He died in Mekha, mistress."

"One of the Thirteenth?"

"No, mistress, he was in the Seventeenth."

Allenya patted the woman's hand.

"Though it is little comfort to the heart, your husband's death pension must make it easier to keep your daughters," she said. Laasinia twitched, jaw clenching. "Is that not the case?"

"My brother…" Laasinia stopped, gently pulled her hand away and stood. "I am sorry, mistress. It is not important. You have no need to bear my problems as well as your own."

"Talk to me, Laasinia," Allenya said suddenly. "Talk to me about the market, and your daughters, and your brother, and the city. Meliu shuts herself up with Noran all this time; Luia is in Okhar with Urikh. My other sons are not here. Ullsaard… I have nobody to talk to."

"Let me fetch you that tea, mistress, and we can talk as much as you like," said Laasinia.

The handmaiden left with a shallow nod and a weak smile. Allenya looked down at the embroidery. She had finished a blue sky and was working on the gold and greys of the palace atop the Royal Hill in Askh. With a sigh, she tossed the needlework aside onto the couch. Hugging a cushion, she curled up her legs and laid back, her gaze returning to the window.

Hearing a knock on the main door, she sat up, halting her slide into melancholic trance. She listened intently as the door was opened, but could not make out the voice of the visitor. Someone walked across the hall and a moment later one of the young serving boys appeared at the door of Allenya's sitting room.

"Governor Anglhan has arrived, mistress," the boy announced. "I have asked him to wait for you in the main chamber."

"Thank you," said Allenya, stirring herself from the couch.

She paced over to the polished bronze mirror beside the fireplace and checked her appearance. She adjusted a few of the ruby-headed pins keeping her hair in place, straightened her golden necklace and wiped away the dampness at the corner of her eyes. It had been some time since she had seen Anglhan; not since Ullsaard had last been in the city at the start of the summer. She wondered what had brought him here.

Attended by Laasinia, Allenya crossed the hall into the main function room. Anglhan stood admiring the fresco of a hunting scene along the wall and turned with a smile as Allenya entered. His hair and clothes had a fine mist of dampness from the rain and his face was flushed, the tip of his nose a vivid red.

"My queen," said Anglhan with an extravagant bow. Allenya laughed, surprising herself that she could.

"Governor," Allenya replied with equal formality. She darted a look at Laasinia. "I am sure our guest would like food and wine."

Laasinia departed with a silent bow, leaving Allenya alone with Anglhan. She waved him to a seat and took up station next to the fire, one arm resting on the mantel.

"Is this visit social or business?" she asked.

"A little of both," replied Anglhan, sinking down into the low couch with a grunt of effort. The chair creaked under his weight, which had continued to increase dramatically since she had last seen him. "First of all, I wished to check on the wellbeing of you and your family. Also, as I have heard nothing so I assume that Noran's condition remains unchanged?"

"What I know of my family, they are doing well," Allenya replied. "I am sure you hear more from Urikh, Ullsaard and Jutaar than I do."

"I doubt that," said Anglhan. "I am sure that you are far higher in their thoughts than I am, and certainly much deeper in their affections. I have come here to check that you have heard from Ullsaard; that he will be back in Magilnada in the next ten days."

"He sent a letter telling me as much, yes," said Allenya. "Do you have any better idea of when he is due to arrive?"

"The weather to duskwards remains changeable, but I have heard nothing of any serious storms or other conditions that might delay his return. I trust that you and Meliu will be joining us when I welcome him back to Magilnada with proper ceremony?"

Allenya nodded. Laasinia came back at that moment, followed by two servants; one carried a tray with a pitcher of wine and crystal goblets, the other a platter of meats and cheese. These they laid on the table. Laasinia lingered for a moment, directing a look of inquiry at her mistress.

"You may leave us for the moment," said Allenya. "Please prepare a bath for me."

"I must confess to an ulterior motive to my visit, said Anglhan.

"If you confess it, it is no longer ulterior," replied Allenya. She walked around the table and sat at the other side. She poured wine for the both of them as Anglhan heaved himself out of the couch and sat opposite. "Forgive my pedantry. Carry on with your confession."

"One of my aides informed me yesterday that you have been making certain inquiries of the city merchants; inquiries that suggest to me that you are planning to leave Magilnada."

"Your assumption is correct. I will be returning to Askh in the spring."

"I see," said Anglhan. He frowned as he took a mouthful of wine. "I am disappointed to hear that. What of Meliu and Noran? Will they be travelling with you?"

"I do not think so. The surgeons do not think it wise to move Noran in his condition, and Meliu is bound to stay here with him. Why such concern for our whereabouts?"

"Let me be frank, Allenya. I see that being here is difficult for you, and perhaps Askh may offer greater comfort, familiarity and support. Forgive me if I speak out of place, but I do not think Ullsaard will be happy with your decision. I am sure he feels the distance between you already, and to return to Askh will only make him feel worse."

"You are right; it is presumptuous of you to say such things. If Ullsaard wishes to discuss the matter with me, he will do so."

"Forgive me again, but I do not think he will. We both know that he loves you deeply, and he would rather increase his own pain than impose more on you. He will agree to your departure because it is what you desire and will be all the more sorry for it."

"I do not see how that is any concern of yours."

"To be blunt, an unhappy Ullsaard makes my life more difficult. One of the benefits of the current situation is that his visits to Magilnada are tempered by your presence here. I am worried that his mood for this place will worsen if you are not here. He faces a challenging time; the Salphors will not give in easily. The king needs every support he can get, and no support is more important to him than yours. If you return to Askh, he will take it badly."

Allenya twirled her goblet and watched the wine swirling inside, red reflected against the gold. Ullsaard had shared concerns over Anglhan's ultimate motives before he had left, and warned Allenya not to trust him. She knew she could not take what he was saying at face value, though he made a good point.

"You are right, of course," she said. "It is important to Ullsaard that he knows he has people he can trust here. I will consider what you have said."

Anglhan stood and gave a shallow bow.

"We have entrusted our lives to your husband's endeavours. It is in both our interests to see that he succeeds. If there is anything I can do, any service or comfort I can provide to make your time in Magilnada an easier ordeal, just let me know. I am, of course, your servant as well as the king's."

Allenya nodded but did not stand up.

"I will see you again when Ullsaard returns," she said. "Thank you for visiting."

When the governor had left, Allenya finished her wine. She had never thought she would miss Luia, especially her venomous attitude to Ullsaard and her flagrant disrespect, but at that moment she wished dearly that her sister was around. She had a mind for the sorts of games Anglhan was playing, while Allenya did not. She would be much better at keeping an eye on the governor.

Sighing, Allenya left the table and headed towards the bath chambers. Luia was not here; she would have to do the best she could to look after Ullsaard's interests. If that meant staying in this dismal city, that would be the price.