An unexpected visitor has arrived at the palace, the brother of the ruler of a nearby country. Unfortunately he is a sexual predator whose status makes him unstoppable and both Garia and Merizel are at risk. Cue a very tense banquet... and then Garia has an idea.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

25 - Beastly Encounter

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2011-2017 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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"Keren? You've been quiet this afternoon."

They were in the carriage on their way back to the palace.

"Aye. I'm just amazed by the amount of knowledge crammed inside that head of yours." He pulled a face. "I'm a little afraid I won't be able to keep up, and neither will most other people. Sometimes the amount of your knowledge frightens me, Garia. Is it too much for Anmar?"

"I don't think so, Keren. As I have to keep reminding you, I'm just a young person like yourself, I don't know everything about my own world -"

"- that's one of the things that's worrying me. If this is the extent of your own knowledge, what must an adult in your world know?"

"No-one on Earth knows everything, Keren, and there are some who know very little. Most people only bother with just enough to get by with. I wouldn't worry too much, you'll pick it up quite easily because you're young. It's the older generation who are likely to have the most trouble, and part of that will be because it will change things, and older people often don't like change."

As they climbed out of the carriage in front of the palace they found Kendar waiting for them.

"Your Highness, Milady, Mistress. There will be a state banquet tonight in honor of the arrival of Duke Jarwin of Virgulend, I am expecting his party to arrive within the next half-bell. The Duke is on his way home, having recently visited his sister the Duchess of Plif."

"Thank you, Kendar. Is he staying long, do you know?"

"I'm not sure, Highness. Having been away, I would expect that he would be anxious to return home, but I have no word as to his intentions."

"All right, Kendar, consider us warned. Come on, ladies, let's go and change."

As they walked through the palace Garia asked, "Warned? Is he going to cause trouble?"

"To you, maybe," was the short reply. "He has wandering hands." He stopped in the corridor. "Garia, you'll have to be especially careful, since you're a newcomer here and he'll know that." His eyes flickered to Merizel. "Both of you, in fact. But, bearing in mind what you talked about this morning, if you go thumping him you could cause a diplomatic incident."

"I'll bear it in mind," she replied, "but, that won't necessarily stop me thumping him if he goes too far."

Keren grinned. "If he goes too far with you, I'll thump him. Ah, I have a thought, I wonder if we can use the same tactic we used when the Resident of Yod came to call. What do you think?"

"What, you mean, pretend we're betrothed? It's a thought." Merizel's eyebrows had shot up at this suggestion. "You'll have to ask your father first, I think. Virgulend's just up-river, isn't it? A bit too close to play games that might come unstuck."

Keren nodded. "I'll ask him."

Merizel could hardly contain herself. "You did what? I want to hear the whole story, Garia."

"Of course." Garia smiled at Merizel. "But you'll have to wait until tomorrow, probably. I'll tell you what you need to know as we walk, and now I'm really glad you showed me that map, Keren."

The three went as far as the Receiving Room where Keren split off to search for his father, Garia and Merizel continued towards their rooms, Garia telling Merizel briefly about the strange meeting with 'those of Yod' before parting their ways. Garia and Jenet returned to their suite and Jenet immediately called for bath water.

"What am I going to wear, Jenet?" Garia asked afterwards. "I've only been to one state occasion so far, and we know what happened then, don't we?"

"Let's see what's on the rail, Mistress. This one, perhaps?"

"Hmm. Let's try it on." Jenet helped Garia into the long, formal gown and laced it up. "Ow! No, I don't think so, at least not tonight. My breasts are still very tender. What else is there?"

Garia considered and rejected three others before coming to one that looked familiar.

"I know, I'll wear this one!"

"That's the one you wore when you arrived at the palace, Mistress. Didn't you say it had been borrowed?"

"I did, and it has been, Jenet. I'd forgotten all about it. I'll wear it this once more, and then we'll see if it can be returned. I don't like hanging on to things that aren't mine."

"It will probably need cleaning after tonight, Mistress, before you return it. Shall I arrange it?"

"Yes, please, Jenet."

"I think as it's a State occasion, Mistress, the Queen would like you to wear the tiara she gave you."

"Oh. Yes, it might help with the deception, don't you think?"

"Maybe, Mistress. I should warn you, the Duke may not notice such things, he has not done whenever he has visited in the past."

"Oh, dear. I think I'm going off this meal, Jenet."

"He is well-known in the palace, Mistress. Everyone will be alert to any mischief he might start."

Laced in carefully, Garia sat while Jenet fetched the tiara and began working out how to secure it to her head. Unlike the local women who had masses of hair piled on their heads for such occasions working out a suitable arrangement for Garia's short style proved difficult, but in the end they managed it between them. Since the event didn't involve leaving the palace all they had to do then was wait for Keren to collect them.

"Shall we go, Mistress?"

The Prince greeted them as they came to the door. He was dressed in a plum tunic with matching tights, with a dark green sleeveless surcoat on top. A green and purple sash wound round his waist and a wider version of the same, the house colors, went over his left shoulder with a sunburst-shaped medallion on it to show he was the crown prince. Around his forehead a thin gold band was set, ensuring that no-one would mistake him for anything other than a prince. A gold-chased scabbard hung at his left hip, the hilt of the sword showing many inset jewels. He had taken care to clean himself up and his hair showed the evidence of karzal-nut oil. To Garia he looked amazing.

"I bet you say that to all the girls," she replied, demurely holding out her hand. "Who are you dressed up for, then? Not this Duke, I would guess."

"I've been loafing around the palace a bit since you've arrived, Garia," he told her. "I thought I'd show you what I can look like when I put my mind to it. I must say, you don't look so bad yourself." He smiled at her as they began moving along the corridor. "Of course, in your case, it's impossible for you not to look beautiful."

Her eyes hardened briefly but she could never get angry with Keren. "You forget, Highness," she told him primly, "that I have been a maiden for no more than two weeks. Thank you for your kind remark, but remember that this is still all strange to me."

"Yes, you're right, Garia, I keep forgetting, but this is the life you now have to live. Expect to receive a lot of compliments in the future, not all of them from myself."

As they reached the corner he turned and looked back.

"Hey, you two! Come and give us a proper escort to the Receiving Room, will you?"

The two Guardsmen set unobtrusively in Garia's shadow hurried to catch the party up.

"As you command, Highness."

Thus suitably attended the party reached the door to the Receiving Room, where the Chamberlain announced them himself. With Garia's hand around his arm Keren walked into the room.

It was arranged slightly differently than last time, Garia saw. The tables were still laid out in a line along the center of the room, but there were less places set. At the opposite end to the thrones a small group of musicians sat playing quietly, the first time that Garia had encountered any since she had arrived. At least, she assumed they were playing, the sounds seemed disorganized but not as though they were still tuning up. As before, people were standing in small groups throughout the hall, but all talk ceased when Keren made his entrance with Garia.

A man, obviously the reason for the banquet, made his way towards them followed by a group of men Garia assumed were his servants. About the same size and build as Keren, he looked reasonably handsome, as much as Garia could judge such things, and she guessed that he was in his mid-twenties, Earth years. Like most Valley folk his hair was dark brown, and it had been carefully brushed and oiled to enhance the natural wave. He was dressed in a surcoat of heavily patterned pale-blue and yellow satin over a darker blue tunic and tights. His sashes were scarlet and gray, presumably his own house colors. Garia wondered whether her eyes were bleeding at the clash of bright colors. Even though he must have been traveling for some time his outfit showed no signs of wear or distress and she gave a thought for his servants who must have spent considerable time making his clothes fit for tonight.

"Your Highness," the man said. His voice was smooth and deep, and Garia could see how he might attract women. "We meet once more. And who, might I enquire, is your charming companion?"

"If I may present Duke Jarwin, younger brother of the Grand Duke of Virgulend. Your Grace, this is Mistress Garia, who is visiting from the distant land of Kansas. She is currently residing in the palace, under the protection of the King."

"Kansas? I know not of this land." But his tone indicated that the location of Kansas was not uppermost in his mind. "Are you enjoying your stay, Mistress? Palarand is a fair land, is it not?"

"I am enjoying my stay, Your Grace," Garia said, finding her voice. "So far it has been very... interesting."

"You should know, Your Grace," Keren said, "that there is every chance that Mistress Garia may become my betrothed. The King would become upset if anything should happen to prevent that."

In other words, back off, buddy. You may look like a smooth operator, but your reputation precedes you!

"But of course, Highness! I would not dream of such a thing." Jarwin turned to Garia. "I wish you well in your endeavors, Mistress." He frowned, turning back to Keren. "But is your father willing to break the unwritten rule of marriage? Can someone the status of Mistress be of royal blood in... Kansas, did you say?"

Garia answered that, covering the pause in Keren's reply when he realized the flaw in their scheme.

"In Kansas, Your Grace, it is certainly possible for any master or mistress to become our ruler. We practice a form of election, not unlike some of the Valley states, or so I have heard."

"Oh," Jarwin said. "You're one of those kinds of people, then. I personally think that such practices are unnatural, but there are worse things practised in Alaesia than electing rulers." His teeth became very visible and very white. "This land of yours sounds interesting, Mistress. Perhaps, with the Prince's permission, I may hear more of it after dinner? I have just come from my sister in Plif, and while I enjoyed the stay, honestly it isn't a very interesting place. I would hear more of this far land of yours."

Oh, crap. If I start telling him about Kansas he'll either think I'm making it up or that I'm certifiable. If he listens at all, of course. He doesn't want to find out about Kansas, he just wants to separate me from Keren. At least he's being relatively blatant about it. I have no experience being the victim of attentions like this, I might not recognize it next time it happens.

"If time and circumstance permit, Your Grace," she replied diplomatically.

The band stopped playing whatever they were playing and started something else that put Garia's teeth on edge. God, those instruments are tuned bad. Everybody stopped and turned towards the door behind the throne, from where Robanar and Terys now appeared, dressed in all their state finery. Robanar looked years younger than she knew he was, and Terys just looked magnificent. In the silence Kendar announced them, as if they needed announcing in their own home, and everybody in the room bowed or curtseyed. Holding the Queen's hand, Robanar walked directly over to join Keren, Garia and Jarwin.

"Jarwin!" Robanar boomed as they approached. "Good to see you again." Garia wasn't sure whether the tone was forced or not. The two men clasped each other's forearms in greeting. "On your way home?"

"Your Majesties," Jarwin made a bow. "Aye, I have been visiting sister Luann in Simbek these last three weeks, and I am returning home. You have received the news about Yod?"

"Aye, we have."

"The Grand Duke is concerned, and has started raising the levies. He wants me home to take charge of the army in case the situation becomes worse. I thought to pass though here in case you had more recent news."

Robanar nodded. "I shall let you have all we know, Jarwin, but I suspect it will be little more than your brother can tell you. But not tonight, I think. We'll discuss this in private sometime tomorrow. Tonight, let's just enjoy the meal and you can relax after your journey from Simbek."

"As you desire, Your Majesty. And, I must say, I am intrigued by the latest addition to your court."

"Hmm? Oh, Mistress Garia, yes. Jarwin," Robanar fixed him with a steely eye, "she is not for you, understand? Leave her alone."

Jarwin smiled. "Of course, Your Majesty. As you command."

Garia wondered how many people noticed that Robanar's left hand had gripped the hilt of his ceremonial sword tightly as he issued his warning. She suspected that many people had, just as she suspected Jarwin would take absolutely no notice of the warning.

Kendar's voice boomed out over the crowd's murmur. "Lady Merizel of South Reach."

Oh, crap with knobs on! We completely forgot Merizel! Once he spots her he'll be like a guided missile and we've no scheme in place to protect her!

She saw Merizel look about the room, trying to find someone she recognized, unlikely since she had not lived in the palace very long.

Please, please don't spot us. Wander off somewhere else and then we can find you later and protect you.

Merizel spotted them. Actually, she saw the King, complete with crown, alongside the Queen, and headed towards them. As she got closer she caught sight of the others.

"Lady Merizel," Robanar said, and she curtseyed to him and the Queen.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty," she said in a small voice. "I don't yet know the palace sufficiently well and I got lost."

"That's all right, my dear," he beamed back at her. "The palace is a large and rambling place, it's easy to get lost if you don't know your way round. Let me present you to Duke Jarwin of Virgulend, he's passing through on his way home from visiting his sister in Plif. Jarwin, this is Lady Merizel, daughter of Baron Kamodar of South Reach, she is assisting Mistress Garia."

Merizel gave him a curtsey. "Your Grace."

He returned a deep bow. "My Lady. Another ornament to grace the court of Palarand."

She blushed, her eyes lowered. "As you say, Your Grace."

Oh, dear. Hasn't she realized what he's doing? How do we get her out of this one?

There were a few moments of awkward stand-off which everyone pretended weren't happening, and then Kendar rapped the floor with his staff of office to request that everyone took seats. Robanar and Terys moved off towards their ornate chairs set in the middle of one side of the long table. Keren immediately grabbed Garia's hand but there was little they could do to prevent Jarwin moving in.

"Mistress, I see you are firmly attached to your prince. In that case I shall take charge of Milady here, see that she is not left unaccompanied. Milady, would you do me the honor of being my dinner companion this evening?"

Merizel stammered an acceptance and Jarwin held his arm for her. The pair walked around the table to seats facing the King and Queen, Keren moving so that Garia was sandwiched between him and Robanar. Robanar and Terys sat, giving the signal for the other diners to take their seats. The servants immediately began serving the first course and wine or beer for the diners.

"What's this, Sire? A curious contraption to find at table."

Garia turned to see Jarwin holding up the fork laid at his place setting. Unfortunately Bleskin, resplendent in his dress uniform, beat Robanar to the explanation.

"Ah, a most useful implement, Your Grace! The first benefit that Palarand has enjoyed since the arrival of Mistress Garia."

Jarwin gave a piercing look at Garia, who was sitting almost facing him. Robanar intervened.

"Where Mistress Garia comes from they have some different customs, Jarwin, and she has let us have the secret of forks. We have found them to be indispensable for eating our meals, and we would not be without them at table any more."

"If you follow our example, Jarwin," Terys added, "I'm sure you'll soon understand how they may be used."

"As you say, Ma'am. I'm sure I will. But, did not your captain say that Mistress Garia has shown you other wonders from her land?"

Before Bleskin could open his mouth Robanar said, "She has, Jarwin, but some of them are sensitive. We'll not discuss them tonight, understand?"

Jarwin gave Garia another look, and she could almost see the wheels turning. A pretty body and a brain! The tougher the target, the sweeter the victory! She tried to keep her expression bland but she could feel the dismay inside. If I let him have Merizel, he'll probably take that as a win and leave me alone. If I try to defend Merizel, he'll come after me instead. Perhaps I ought to have stayed in my room... but I can't abandon Merizel.

Terys said, "We've only just started production of forks, so there aren't many around yet. I'll see if we can arrange a small number for you to take home with you, as a present to you and the Grand Duke."

Jarwin nodded. "Delighted, Ma'am."

Then he ignored Garia completely and turned his attentions towards Merizel. During the rest of the meal they all had to listen to his patter which to Garia's horror was lapped up by his companion. By contrast Garia and Keren ate almost in silence. Eventually Terys had had enough and managed to start a conversation about Plif which lasted until the final dishes were finished and the wine glasses emptied.

As before, they all stood and walked away from the table, allowing the servants to descend on it and begin clearing away. Robanar and Terys moved to their thrones at the end of the room while Jarwin and his party were shown to smaller but still ornate chairs on Robanar's right. Keren conducted Garia to a similar pair of chairs set to Terys's left.

"Why doesn't Merizel see through him?" she hissed under her breath, the sounds of the dismantling covering her voice.

"Why should she, Garia? He looks and sounds perfectly normal to me, and that's what makes him so effective. I can't see many women standing up to him, really."

Garia gave a snort. "In Alaesia, maybe. To me, he sounds so blatant and amateurish. Put him with a group of girls from my school and they'd tear him apart in moments. 'Your skin is so soft and clear'?" She rolled her eyes. "Puh-leeze."

"Maybe, Garia, but remember you have a slightly different point of view, not to mention a different cultural background." They took their seats and he leaned towards her to be heard over the noise. "There are countries around Alaesia where Jarwin's conduct would get him thrown out of the gates with a spear in his back, Duke or not, but here in the Valley our history tends towards the romantic." His face fell. "Does that mean you're not romantic?"

She grimaced. "Boys aren't, at least not on my part of Earth. Ask me in six months or so, my point of view may have changed by then as I settle in. But, how do we rescue Merizel? I'd been so concerned about myself, I had forgotten that she was also at risk."

"Me too. Ah! I may have an idea. Jenet, go and fetch Bleskin over here. It's about time we asked a master tactician."

Bleskin came over, puzzled. "Highness, Mistress? I'm sorry about earlier, I'd forgotten about Jarwin's habits. What may I do for you?"

Keren quickly explained the problem and Bleskin's eyes narrowed in thought.

"I don't see what I can do, Highness. It isn't properly a matter for the Guard, as such, but I'm willing to help find another solution. I've never liked Duke Jarwin, his brother is much better in my opinion."

"All we need is some kind of pretext to keep them apart," Garia said. "It doesn't have to be real, and we can explain later, or even tomorrow if necessary. The Duke's been told, both by Keren and by the King, that he'll be in trouble if he comes near me. That won't necessarily stop him, of course."

"As you say, Mistress. If I may leave you? I must talk to one or two of his staff this evening, but I'll think on our problem as I circulate."

"Go ahead, Captain," Keren said.

After Bleskin wandered off Garia asked Keren, "Is Jarwin as bad as everybody appears to think he is?"

"More or less," he replied. "Even when he was younger, he used to harass my sisters whenever his family stayed here. Fortunately for them they had the good sense to keep out of his way. When Luann, his own sister, got married to the Duke of Plif there was a terrible fuss as he had apparently got to the sister of one of the other guests. I was there, deputizing for father and I remember it well. We don't like each other much, but because he's older and the brother of a Grand Duke he thinks he can get away with anything. There are rumors that some of his servants assist his efforts to bed young women." He gave a half-smile to Garia. "After this morning's lecture I expect you can look after yourself, but beware of him anyway. We don't need an incident with Virgulend just at the moment."

"That will depend on just how obnoxious he tries to be, Keren," she said. "If he just drips oil over me I promise you he'll get nowhere."

The floor was cleared fairly quickly and the rest of the guests took seats around the edge of the room. The reason quickly became apparent as the band started up again. People got up and moved around to talk quietly to one another, their voices covered by the music, but some started gathering in front of the band, arranging themselves into columns of men facing women.

"A dance," Garia said. "I hope you're not expecting me to take part in that, as I have no idea how to do any of the dances you might have here."

"Really? Do not people dance on Earth?"

"Oh, yes, all the time. But that looks pretty formal to me and I'd have to learn the steps. Doubtless I'll find time to learn to dance the way you do here, but it'll have to join everything else on the list."

The dancers stepped the length of the room, towards the thrones, and then turned and crossed over alternately as they started back towards the musicians, this time holding hands as they skipped.

"That's a shame," Keren said. "I think, bearing in mind what you do when exercising, that you'll make a good dancer."

"You're probably right," she replied, "but it's not exactly one of my priorities right now. Did you want to go and dance? I'd be quite happy to just sit here and watch. I wouldn't want to spoil your evening."

"Thank you, Garia, I may just do that. But you realize that the moment my seat empties you'll have a line of men waiting to get you out on the floor?"

Damn, he's right. Still, it may be an opportunity to learn more.

"I think I can manage to fend them off, Keren. Just go and enjoy yourself."

"As you wish, Garia. What kind of dances do you do on Earth, then? Are they anything we might consider introducing here, do you think?"

She grinned at him. "Oh, no, I don't think so! If what I see is a fair sample of how you dance here you'd all be completely scandalized by some of the dancing back home. Let's see, I guess the nearest thing to what they are doing over there would be something we call line dancing. Then there's square dancing, which is similar, but goes back to the olden days. Most of our other dances would be considered somewhat sensuous round here."

Keren's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"Well, take the waltz, for example. You pair up, a man and a woman. The man takes the woman's right hand in his left, and puts his right hand round her waist." She demonstrated the arm positions. "She puts her left hand on his shoulder. Then they dance round the room, turning around as they go, the man holding the woman close and guiding her steps. The tunes, which are also called waltzes, have a special three-beat. There are variations, of course. Then there are many other dances which we would consider classical with different musical tempos and rhythms, all of them rather suggestive."

"That doesn't sound too bad, Garia."

"What, holding a woman, not necessarily your partner, close to your body and whirling her around the dance hall? Waltzing caused a lot of trouble when it was first introduced." A glint came in her eye as she smiled wickedly. "Of course, only older people would do those kind of dances. People our age would be doing something entirely different. Let me see."

She turned to inspect the Receiving Room, imagining it to be a night club.

"Yes, imagine this," she continued. "This room, with most, if not all the lights out. Imagine five hundred people our age crammed in here, the music very loud, a pounding beat so loud you can't hear what anyone says. Everyone there will be dressed in very little, either tee-shirt and jeans like I was wearing when I came or shorts instead of jeans. For the girls, a tight-fitting tee-shirt and jeans or shorts or a dress which would show all the shoulders except a strap and which came down to here." She indicated her upper thigh. "Everybody bouncing up and down and waving their arms and getting very close to those around them."

Keren's mouth pursed in a silent whistle. "If I didn't already know you, I would think that you were telling me tall tales." He shook his head. "No, I can definitely say that kind of dancing can come in its own time, I think. You won't tell anyone else?"

"You have my word, Highness."

The music ended, for which Garia was profoundly grateful. It appeared that although it sounded to her like a cacophonous mess there was an underlying structure to the tune which was surprisingly sophisticated. It just seemed, unfortunately, that the tonic scale chosen on Anmar was completely different than that commonly used on Earth. It didn't help that the five musicians, each playing a different kind of instrument, apparently had five different ideas about how the tune was to be interpreted. I'll never complain about Chinese music again, she thought.

As the band struck up the next tune Keren got up to join the twenty-odd people waiting on the floor. Garia watched as they sorted themselves into groups of four which then began skipping clockwise. She was sufficiently engrossed in the actions, music notwithstanding, that she failed to notice the man looming over her.

"Mistress, do you not join your Prince in the dance?"

It was a man in his late thirties or so, dressed in what appeared to be a military dress uniform similar to Bleskin's except in color. She smiled up at him.

"I'm sorry, dances in my own country use somewhat different steps, sir. I do not know the dances of Palarand."

"Of course, Mistress, how thoughtless of me. May I introduce myself, I am Vice Marshal Dalbinar, presently military aide to Duke Jarwin, although my commander is the Grand Duke his brother. As a military man I am more familiar than the Duke with the countries of Alaesia, and I have never heard before of somewhere called Kansas. Is it possible you could tell me more, Mistress, so that I might place your country on the map in my mind?"

She shook her head. "I'm not sure that's possible, um, Vice Marshal? I don't know much about geography myself and I was unwell for a good portion of my journey here. I know that the caravan that brought me came through Moxgo, and that is about all. I can tell you that Kansas is not in Alaesia, it is somewhere else entirely, but I could not tell you which direction I came from or where I landed on Alaesia."

"Oh, that is disappointing. I'm sorry to hear about your illness, Mistress. I trust you are fully recovered now?"

"I am improving rapidly, Vice Marshal. The longer I've been here the better I'm feeling."

"You don't look unwell to me, Mistress, rather the reverse. I wonder, perhaps if you described your land, maybe there are neighbor countries, rivers or other features I might recognize? I do have knowledge of some of the outlying islands in the seas about Alaesia."

"As you wish, Vice Marshal, although I don't know how much help it will be. Kansas is in the middle of a great land mass similar to Alaesia, called North America. It is a country of wide plains and open spaces, although there are hills to the west." She shrugged. "There are rivers flowing through, the Arkansas, the Smoky and the Saline among others, all flow into the great Mississippi, which is a little like the Sirrel here, except it flows south not east. For neighbors we have Nebraska to the north, Colorado to the west, Oklahoma to the south and Missouri to the east." She smiled up at him. "Does that help you at all?"

"Unfortunately not, Mistress. I don't recognize any of those names, I'm afraid. Still, it was worth asking the question." He paused. "Those that brought you, they would know your route, Mistress? Presumably, at some point, unless you do marry the Prince, you intend returning home?"

"Yes, Vice Marshal, you're right. Those that brought me here doubtless know the route." She sighed. "It is not quite so simple, unfortunately. My story is complicated, and I really should not say very much more at the moment, if you don't mind."

"As you wish, Mistress. I have pried enough as it is for one evening. Enjoy the rest of it, Mistress."

Dalbinar bowed low to her and moved off, heading in Bleskin's direction.

Hmm. Almost everything I told him was the exact truth, she thought. It's better telling the truth than try to fix up a story which might be broken somehow, and there's absolutely no way anyone can dispute what I tell them, is there? He was interesting, wasn't he? Obviously Jarwin sent him over to pump me, but the fact that he went out of his way to say that he reported to the Grand Duke rather than Jarwin himself makes me wonder if he entirely approves of the man he accompanies.

As predicted, a steady stream of men came to ask her if she would wish to dance, all of whom she gave the same answer, which was that she did not know the steps. Because of this, and with the movement of the dancers on the floor, she lost sight of Keren. The next thing she knew the music had changed and he was dancing with Merizel in some complicated evolution presumably local to Palarand. None of the Duke's men were on the floor, all were standing talking to some of their hosts or watching the dancers.

"Mistress! It is a pity you do not dance, you look as if you would enjoy it. May I tempt you?"

Standing there was Duke Jarwin, with an encouraging smile on his face.

"I'm afraid not, Your Grace. As I've had to tell everybody, because I'm a newcomer here I don't know any of the dance steps, and if I went out there I'd just spoil it for everyone else."

"Are you sure, Mistress?" Without asking, he parked himself on Keren's chair. "Some of the movements are simple, it would be no trouble to guide you through them. Come," his teeth showed again, "let me show you how it's done." He offered his hand.

"I must decline, Your Grace. Really, it would not be a good idea."

"Well." A shadow passed briefly over his face. "A shame. The evening is poorer without you to grace the floor." The teeth, again. "Perhaps we may talk while the dancers promenade their steps. I hear that your land is very far away from here, it sounds exotic. Will you tell me of it, Mistress? A land that can produce such wonders as forks must be a very different place than Palarand or Virgulend, is it not true?"

Yeah, right. If I started telling you about life back home you'd think I was a loony tune. What can I do to convince him to leave me alone? Except, he'd just go and snag Merizel again. How am I going to save her? I wish I knew how long this evening is going to last.

At the same time Garia had become conscious of Jarwin on a more basic level. So close to him, her body began responding to him in a way which she found repellent.

Holy crap, he is a nasty piece of work. No wonder everyone gets warned about him, and no wonder it makes no difference at all! If I was to let myself go, I'd be flat on my back within fifteen minutes.

"As you say, Your Grace, but really Kansas is no different than any far-flung country of Alaesia is compared to places in the Valley. What I can tell you of my homeland would sound so strange to your ears either you would not understand me or you would not believe me."

"I would still like to hear of it, Mistress. Dalbinar tells me you live on a great plain. Are there many towns?"

"Not so many, Your Grace, it is mainly farmland," she told him unwillingly.

"Really? It sound very different than the Valley, to be sure." He looked at Garia with concern. "You look uncomfortable, Mistress. Perhaps your illness is still troubling you. Should you perhaps leave the hall, find somewhere to rest? If the King's Guard are busy, perhaps one of my men can accompany you?"

"No, Your Grace. It's not that." Garia steeled herself. "I find... your close attention... uncomfortable."

He abruptly stood up, the concern on his face changing smoothly to a smile.

"I apologize, Mistress. I admit that unthinking I crowded you. It is warm in here, is it not? Shall we take a turn about the courtyard, where the air is doubtless cooler?"

Damn it. Just GO AWAY, won't you? Where's a ten-foot pole when you need one?

"Jarwin," Robanar's voice rumbled. "Leave her alone, please."

"Sire." Jarwin bowed in the King's direction. "As you command. Mistress Garia appeared uncomfortable and I endeavored to assist." Somehow he made it seem as though Robanar had interrupted him during a vital task.

Jarwin sauntered back to his own seat, his eyes now on the dance which was coming to an end. Keren handed Merizel off to one of the other courtiers and then went to look for another female partner. Garia watched Jarwin's face flicker - very briefly - into annoyance before the mask came back. His eyes began roaming the room, seeking other potential conquests, apparently unaware of the King and Queen sitting next to him, watching his every move.

It's like watching a car crash in slow motion, isn't it? The King and Queen can do nothing to stop a man like him, can they? Except perhaps at sword point, and that might led to a war we could do without. This bastard is going to steal Merizel out from under everybody's noses and there's absolutely nothing we can do about it. Her jaw set and her nostrils flared. I'm NOT going to let that happen.

Keren came back and sat beside her, but her attention was upon ways of protecting Merizel. Jarwin had reclaimed her after that dance and she sat beside him again, entranced by his charisma and his smooth tongue. Garia fumed with frustration, all the while having to keep a smile on her face for public consumption.

Then she spotted Bleskin going to the main doors to have a word with one of the guards standing just outside, and she had an idea. It was an unpleasant one, and it was going to upset a number of people, but it would solve the immediate problem. As he turned she waved to him, he noticed her and began to walk over.

"Mistress?"

"Captain. I have had an idea, and it could cause trouble, so I want you to think about this very carefully before you act."

"Mistress?" Bleskin raised an eyebrow.

"I accuse Lady Merizel of stealing a necklace."

"But, Mistress!" Bleskin stopped. "Ah. I believe I understand. Mistress, you wish me to arrest Lady Merizel, remove her from the room?"

"Exactly, Captain. But discreetly, mind. Now, since this is only an unproven accusation, you need not take her to the cells, but put her under guard in her own chamber for the night, yes?"

Bleskin favored Garia with a measured look while Keren just stared at them both wide-eyed.

"Mistress, you have a devious mind indeed. These guards, they would prevent anyone entering as well as leaving, wouldn't they? And in the morning, you will discover that a mistake has been made, I have no doubt."

"Exactly," she repeated, grinning at Bleskin now. "Would you do it? Can you do it?"

"It would certainly be unusual, Mistress, but no more so than many of the more recent happenings." He straightened and came to attention. "Leave it to me, Mistress. I will consider what needs to be prepared, and I will wait until nearer the evening's end before making any move." He bowed towards them. "Highness, Mistress, if you will excuse me."

"Garia, you can't!"

"Keren, that bastard has to be stopped," she whispered back to him. "If this is the only way to get Merizel out of trouble, then I don't see we have any choice. We aren't threatening Jarwin, he's just going to have to put up with it. If it makes Merizel, or me for that matter, look like a villain overnight then I'll do it. Anything is better than Merizel getting raped."

Keren winced at that last word. "It's not quite like that and you know it."

"No?" Her tone was measured. "Try looking at it from my point of view - a girl's point of view - sometime. That's certainly what I'd call it, however you want to dress it up."

"Perhaps you have a point," he agreed reluctantly. "Are you sure you didn't start out female? No man of Palarand could come up with an idea like that."

"Trust me, I was just like you before I came here. It was a spur of the moment idea I had when I saw Bleskin go to the door. Now, we both have to act normally the rest of the evening. Can you manage that?"

"As you command, Mistress."

"Oh, Keren, please don't! We get on so well together." She put her hand over his.

"I'm sorry." He looked at her as he held her hand. "It's a great pity you can't dance."

"Yet," she qualified.

"We'll trade," he said. "I'll teach you to dance -"

"- and I'll teach you to kill people," she finished for him. They both grinned, and the awkward moment had passed.

There were several more dances, the band took a break, and many drinks were consumed by all. Later, as the evening cooled, things became more mellow, although the music still set Garia's teeth on edge. Keren danced with one or two of the women of the palace, since Duke Jarwin's party was entirely male. Jarwin even managed a dance with the Queen, although by the look on her face she only did it out of duty. When Garia and Keren were sitting down watching the proceedings they had to be careful not to pay anyone too much attention in case suspicions were raised.

So it was out of the corner of her eye that Garia saw a stiff-faced Bleskin approach Merizel and whisper in her ear, saw her stand and say something to Jarwin. The Duke half-stood, but she fluttered her hand at him and he sat down again, content to watch the Guard Captain escort her towards the entrance doors. Once there, he stooped and said something to her in a low voice.

"What?" Her horrified voice caused all talk to cease instantly, and even the band dribbled to a halt. "She said what?"

Bleskin repeated the charge and she turned white-faced towards Garia, an expression of total disbelief on her face. He beckoned, and two guardsmen stepped forwards and escorted her away down the corridor. Jarwin surged out of his seat and made to follow her, but Robanar stopped him.

"Wait!" He turned towards Garia. "Mistress, is this your doing?"

Oh, crap, she thought, wilting under Robanar's glare. Perhaps this wasn't a good idea after all.

"Sire," she stammered. "It is. I have accused Lady Merizel of stealing a necklace."

With a face like thunder, he asked, "Did you know what would happen? Did it have to be done now, in the middle of the reception?"

"Sire, I am not privy to Captain Bleskin's methods in such cases. I merely reported my suspicions to him."

Jarwin walked round Robanar and waved a furious finger at Garia.

"I know exactly what you did tonight, Mistress!" he said through clenched teeth. "I shall not forget this, you have my word on it!"

Eyes flaming, he turned and stalked off towards the door, waving an irritable hand at his men to follow him.

Robanar stood and faced Garia, who suddenly felt very small.

"It seems that our evening has been ended for us," he ground out. "Go to your chamber, Mistress. We shall discuss this in the morning."