The next day, to her dismay, Rhysa discovered her body had gotten used to no undergarments, even if her mind had not. Just as she finished dressing, she heard a knock on her door. She took an absurd pleasure in unlocking her door before opening it.
Elise stood in the hall, and when she saw Rhysa, she smiled warmly. “I thought I might show you where to get breakfast.”
Rhysa grinned back and placed a hand on her stomach. “I thank you from the bottom of my belly.”
Elise giggled, took one of Rhysa’s arms, and led her up the stairs and through the halls to a room with two long tables. On either side of each table were long benches crowded with people eating. Each table contained fruits and eggs and juice and milk. Elise guided Rhysa to a space large enough to seat two.
Rhysa sat and, following the examples of Elise and the others around her, helped herself to eggs and fruit. She decided she only wanted juice and shook her head when Elise offered her the milk pitcher. Even as Rhysa ate and talked and joked, a small part of her wondered at the change in Elise. Last time she’d seen her, Elise had been cool and prim—professionally kind. Not at all like this young woman who joked and laughed.
Finally, Elise looked at a clock Rhysa had missed when she came in. Elise stood. “It’s about time for me to go on.” She patted Rhysa’s shoulder. “I’ll see you later.” As Rhysa watched her leave, she saw Elise assume the mantle of grave competence Rhysa had seen the day before. She shook her head at these people who put on and took off various personalities like a cloak. First Lady Kasteryn, now Elise.
A short time later, Rhysa stood at a second story window looking down at the courtyard. Something about the dark and light cobblestones still bothered her, and she was trying to work it out. A soft whisper of fabric made her turn around. Lady Kasteryn stood a couple feet away looking her over.
“Good. Lord Hermestus and Lord Amonteus will be here soon. I want you to wait near the House Orb after you see Lord Amonteus’ sigil. I need to be at the front door to greet them.” Rhysa nodded, and Lady Kasteryn walked away.
Rhysa turned back to the window in time to see the iron gates open to admit a carriage. As it made its way to the front door, Rhysa saw a sword, point downward, entwined by snakes. Lord Hermestus. Before Lord Hermestus had stepped down, another carriage rattled in. Rhysa focused her attention.
The sigil on the carriage door had an odd bird on it. Its head was turned to one side and slightly upward. Its wings were flared so they curved above its head. The plumage on the bird was painted to look like it was made of flames rather than feathers. Clutched horizontally in its talons was a sword. Rhysa noted the talons grasped the blade, not the hilt. There were no chains, so of the three of them, Lady Kasteryn was the only one who had been a slave.
She turned away from the window before Lord Amonteus’ carriage came to a stop, and made her way to the reception hall to stand by the House Orb. As she waited, she pondered what the sigil could mean. He’d done something for the Royals—something dramatic by the character of the bird. The wings bore a certain resemblance to the wings on Lady Kasteryn’s sigil, so he was proclaiming himself a mage.
It wasn’t long before the three mages came through the double doors and made their way to the plinth holding the House Orb. As they approached, Rhysa saw their faces were focused. When they stood next to the Orb, Lady Kasteryn cleared her throat. “We’re sure we want to do it this way? Once it’s done, it can’t be undone.”
Lord Amonteus nodded quickly, and Lord Hermestus wasn’t far behind.
“Very well.” She turned to the House Orb and placed both hands on it. Rhysa couldn’t see any visible changes, though something told her vast amounts of energy flowed through Lady Kasteryn.
“Rhysa, put both hands on the Orb. You’ll feel a burning sensation as the Orb puts the tattoo into your skin. It’ll hurt, but it will pass.”
Rhysa took a deep breath and nodded. She stepped to the House Orb; and placed one hand on the Orb; it felt cool and hard. The surface had the texture of the finest silk. She reached up with the other hand and placed it on the Orb.
Pain seared her back. It seemed to cover everything from the nape of her neck down to the base of her spine, and from shoulder blade to shoulder blade. Her body arched in response. She tried to scream, but pain locked her voice and nothing came out. On and on the pain went. It felt as though someone was etching her bones with molten gold.
Agents of Ellendahl 