Ragmag, the man who had showered me with compliments, looked older, well-fed and I was sure he was already covering a women.
He said, “I am Grand Admiral Strutz’ body guard, secretary, you name it, I do it. He depends on me for everything.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ragmag. I’ve not met too many men of your rank and position.”
Smiling wide in pride and lifting his chin in superiority, he said, “I am looking at increasing my influence on this world.” He leaned in close and whispered. “I have recently been on the lookout for another coverling, to add to my esteemed family, hopefully gaining more heirs and strengthen my position of power. Please keep me in mind as you make your decision. Although there are many handsome men who will vie for your attention, no other will give you as much wealth, position and supremacy as I.”
I took a step back and stared at the vulgar man. I wondered what kind of woman he now covered and felt sympathy for her.
On cue, a rather plump woman in a bright, gaudy green gown approached and placed her hand into the crook of Ragmag’s arm. “Hello, I’m Ragmag’s coverling. What is your name?”
Answering her questions as quickly as possible, I excused myself forthwith and immediately ran into another man.
My frustration increased and my heart raced in agitation. I was intent on speaking with the high ranking women but I was getting nowhere. I’m certain he saw my anger because his eyes looked apologetic.
“I’m sorry to stop you but I had to introduce myself to such a fine and exquisite lily of the Nyle. Never have I seen such glamorous and outstanding refinement and charm.”
His words forced me to pause. I wondered what a lily of the Nyle was and I was taken aback by his ruddy masculinity. I found myself wholly and immediately drawn to his physique and remarkably good looks. I lifted my hand without being requested to and he took it. When he kissed it, his lips lingered for far too long.
My heart fluttered involuntarily and I could have kicked myself for my inane reaction. When he lifted his eyes, the depths of them and the sheer volume of his desire blazed like a furnace.
“You are very forthright. Must I remind you that I have been escorted here by a very powerful man, Daegel?”
“Have you given your consent as yet to be covered by him?” he asked in return.
Ignoring the question, I asked, “What is your name?”
“My name is Magdalon.”
I found his smile disarming and I struggled to get my heart to stop beating so crazily. I finally found my tongue and asked, “And, do you know who I am?”
He raised an arm and swung it wide. “Who does not know who you are? You are the glamorous newcomer and absolutely the most stunning creature at the ball tonight. You are Lady Tamasa, heiress of Krishay Manor, owner of all his vast estate. Everyone has been told about you and all the women are seething with jealousy as they gawk at your stunning beauty.”
“You are an endless flatterer.” I glanced around, turned my eyes back to his and asked, “Where is your fine coverling? Surely you must have a woman of great refinement to match your dapper style and visage.”
“Clearly you know nothing about me and I’m impressed by that. Most women of your station would have discovered every detail about the most eligible males in Dwarkaa High Society. I somehow avoided being taken note of. This is something I will be sure to remedy.”
“Eligible males? You mean to tell me that you are single? Clearly you are not one of the youngest men I have met and yet, you are not attached?”
He raised his hands slightly and gave another disarming smile that caused my skin to tingle.
“Tell me, what is your position?” I demanded.
“I am the Royal Land Steward. I take care of everything to do with Casimer’s vast lands, crops, vineyards, and oversee the maintenance of the extensive gardens surrounding all the Royal buildings. I have been given a large home on Casimer’s Royal Grounds and am one of the highest paid employees.”
Humble he was not but he did have a position of great significance. “Tell me, have you had the privilege of being called into Casimer’s very presence?”
“I have had this rare opportunity on only a few occasions.”
“What was it like?”
His eyes glazed with a perceptible fear but he controlled it well and said, “His power and his aura are all consuming. I must admit I trembled on each occasion and was relieved when our meetings ended. Although he is mighty, he is also intimidating. It was a great honor to be allowed into his presence.”
Changing the subject, I asked, “I want to know, why you have not settled down with a wife at your age?”
“I am not that old. I just turned thirty-three a few months ago.”
I nodded. He was not much older than I.
He continued, “As the Royal Land Steward I was required to fulfill fifteen years of loyal service before being allowed to have a woman. I placed my formal request a few months ago and received my approval last week.” Lifting his arms wide once again, he said, “I am now free to choose a woman and start a family. And here you are. What an inspiring coincidence.”
“Truly a coincidence indeed,” I said with slight smile. I couldn’t help myself. I found this man completely charming and interesting.
At that moment a bell rang from the dining hall signaling that the meal was about to begin.
“Perhaps I will have another opportunity to speak with you before the evening is through. If you are interested,” he pointed to a set of large, glass double doors leading outside to a veranda and the grounds beyond, “meet me there later. I will be watching you. If I notice you heading outside, I will come.”
I nodded and turned away. The group of powerful women I was hoping to speak with were dispersing to find their men and head in to dinner. I decided to speak with them after the meal was done. Perhaps during the dance an opportunity would be afforded to get to know them.
Daegel approached and said, “We should find our seats.” He led the way to the massive dining room and found our name tags.
The dinner progressed with course after course of the finest made foods I’d ever tasted. A large group of servants carried in platter after platter of steaming plates and delectable delights. As soon as a plate emptied, the dish was soon taken and replaced by something new. I’d never witnessed something as efficient and elegant as this formal dinner. The experienced left me forever changed and I viewed my former life on Akoni Farrin as a very low existence indeed.
I was pleased to be seated across from the Royal Advisor Xion and his coverling. He was the oldest and longest standing member of Casimer’s Inner Circle. Only my uncle, Krishay had outlasted him in years of service, but now Xion had the honor and esteem as the foremost advisor.
I looked at his woman and said, “My name is Tamasa. I am so pleased to meet someone so refined and elegant. I’ve been admiring your magnificent gown all evening. You must truly have the finest seamstress in all of Dwarkaa.”
She gave a small smile and said, “Yes. She is truly a magician with fabric. I’m Onika. It’s also a pleasure to meet you, Tamasa.” She still looked much too guarded and stiff as though she had already made up her mind to hate me.
I said, “I’ve never been to one of these grand balls before. I hear they are quite a regular happening here in Dwarkaa City.”
“Yes. You will have to get used to rubbing shoulders with the strong and powerful.”
“Although this is only my first encounter, I believe I rather enjoy it.” Taking a sip from my glass of mead, I set it back down and said, “Are there many private gatherings and parties among the women of power?” I’d heard that at times these requests were granted by the Royal Palace, but not often.
“I have been privileged to hold a number of such gatherings. My covering, Xion, is a very important man and we are granted more leniency than most. Casimer trusts Xion explicitly and I am included in that trust.”
I said, “How very favored you are. Casimer is Great.” I nearly choked on the words but said them as a performance of devotion.
“He is Great indeed,” echoed Onika. “Tell me, do you know many women here in Dwarkaa Capital?”
“No. I recently moved here from an outlying village, the place I grew up. This is my first opportunity to meet other women of High Society.”
“Yes, I heard that you recently inherited great wealth.”
I nodded. Onika and I continued with this dull back and forth for the rest of the meal. I found it completely tiresome but I managed to pull off the charade. Daegel was completely enthralled with the opportunity to have the coveted attention of a man such as Xion. I kept my ear tuned to their conversation as well.
When the meal was finally done, we stood and everyone headed for the Grand Ballroom. A group of men with instruments, over to one side, began to play song after song. I’d never witnessed a musical rendering such as this before and stood mesmerized at the unity of instruments all flowing together in harmony.
I noticed many men scanning my frame from top to bottom. I ignored all the looks and kept my hand tucked into the crook of Daegel’s arm. He led me unto the dance floor and I willed my feet to remember the moves Vanora had taught me. He was not the best dancer so it helped hide my ineptitude at the skill.
Daegel held me possessively and kept me close. “You are the most beautiful woman at the ball,” he whispered in my ear. “You will make a fine addition to my position of power.”
“I still have not made my decision.”
“You will. How can you resist what I have to offer?”
“It is possible. Do I really have need of any man?”
“Just because you have wealth does not mean you have position. Marrying a man in Casimer’s employ will give you that position.”
I did not answer but I knew he was right. Being covered by a man was the only way to gain influence in Dwarkaa High Society.
As Daegel swirled me around the dance floor I noticed the far wall wobble and shift and I tensed. So the Tonrar were also here, monitoring, checking and listening for any dissent among the powerful. I suddenly realized that no place was safe from their constant oversight. I tried to ignore their presence as we danced for another song. After the third dance, Daegel led me off the floor and went to get us both glasses of mead.
I noticed two women belonging to Casimer’s advisors in a discussion not far from me. Walking over, I gave a slight nod in greeting.
“Hello. My name is Tamasa. I’ve recently moved to Dwarkaa City. And what are your names?”
One woman, her hair blond and set in curls about her shoulders and quite pretty, said, “I am Narcissa, Furud’s coverling.
The other woman, her hair dark and her complexion fair, said, “I am Chardy’s coverling, Letha. And what brought you here to the Grand Capital?”
Of course they’d already heard of me, discussed me and torn me apart with their criticism but I simply said, “I am the heiress of Krishay Estate. My uncle recently passed away and all of his lands, titles and wealth transferred to me.” They didn’t look impressed and I saw no look of acceptance in their eyes. Changing the subject seemed like a good idea. “I didn’t realize how many beautiful women reside in this Grand City. You two are absolute visions of perfection.”
The words had the desired effect. Both women smiled and nodded, receiving the praise gladly, their chins raising a degree higher in pride.
I continued, “I’d heard reports how dazzling the women of Dwarkaa City were, but now I’ve seen for myself and am astounded at the stunning and glamorous women that surround me tonight. You two are some of the most beautiful and your gowns are unparalleled by far.”
Narcissa warmed to me immediately. Leaning toward me, she said, “And you are a vision from Efa’s eternal shores. Every man’s eyes have roamed your frame freely tonight.”
I waved her comment away with a flick of my wrist. “That is only because I am new here. Once they adjust to my presence they will move on to the next new lady in waiting. They will surely bore of me soon enough.”
This caused a surprised snicker from Letha. “You sound as though you are very used to these grand balls and greedy gawking eyes. Are not all men no more than animals eager to attack their prey? They stalk through the room, eyeing their next victim. I find it all quite loathsome.”
Daegel approached with my glass of mead. I took it from his hand and thanked him.
“I will go make my rounds. You’ll be fine here?”
“Yes. Go,” I said.
He left and wandered through the crowd.
I turned back to the two women and said, “Surely your men are different. They have no need for another when they have the rarest treasures on their arms.”
Narcissa whispered, “You should speak with my covering. Furud could use some of your sound advice.”
Letha said, “Every powerful and wealthy man in Dwarkaa City has mistresses and who knows how many more women they keep on the side. None of them stay true.”
“Really?”
“Where did you say you are from?” Letha asked.
“I didn’t say.”
Narcissa said, “Well, wherever you are from, if the men are faithful there, I would suggest you move back. I say this simply to spare your heart hurt upon hurt.”
“I will have to insist upon faithfulness with the man I choose as a covering.”
Letha looked incredulous. “Good luck with that.”
I allowed a small smile. “He will stay faithful if he realizes the consequences.”
“What consequences?” Letha said. “We are women. We have no rights or power against them.”
I said, “We do have power. We just need to learn how to use it.”
Bored with the line of conversation, I made an excuse to meet other women and moved on. I felt sorry for these pompous, beautified, puffed up and useless females. And I felt suddenly thankful for my upbringing, training and preparation. I was trained as a warrior from the time I could walk. Throwing knives, wielding swords, guns and arrows were my comfort zone and this life I’d suddenly been thrown into felt somewhat like I was drowning in the Talulah Sea, with fifty foot waves crashing over me.
Scanning the room, I noticed the other women I wanted to speak with were occupied chatting in various groups of people. Daegel looked in deep conversation with Kevalan and Monar, two of Casimer’s personal Advisors of the Inner Circle. Glancing toward the double glass doors leading to the grounds and gardens, I decided to take Magdalon up on his offer.
Stopping at the drink table, I left my empty glass there, took a full one and exited through the glass doors. The veranda was large with ornate spindles and rail encircling it. Walking toward the rail, I leaned against it and scanned the beautiful grounds, shrubs, trees, green turf and walkways that branched off in many different directions. Some couples had left the ballroom and wandered hand in hand along the paths. A spraying fountain stood center on the large property, oil powered lanterns on stands surrounding it. I’d never seem anything like it before and was mesmerized by the sparkling mist floating back toward the watery base.
I suddenly sensed him coming and turned around in preparation.
