Magdalon’s News
I bid Razmig and Vanora goodbye, summoned my carriage and left for home. On the journey, my thoughts were full of the revolution, the advances made by others and my own agenda. That bubble of protection I felt every time I headed out on a night mission surrounded me in that carriage. Towsaj was certainly near, his affirming presence giving me the courage to push on.
I thought of my last minute visit to Bedad, the Stable Master on my Venilia Estate, who was on his death bed. Although he looked at me with glazed eyes as I entered, he barely said a word. Looking near death, flushed and feverish with perspiration, he did manage to thank me for coming before I left. I doubted that he noticed I was not actually the real Tamasa.
My carriage arrived back at Krishay Manor just before the dinner hour. As I disembarked, I felt utterly spent from the leaders’ meeting, the interrogation and the grueling journey. The front door of the estate opened at that moment and Magdalon stepped toward me.
My heart plummeted at the sight of him. He was the last person I wanted to speak with, the last person I desired to see.
“My dear Tamasa. You have finally arrived back home where you belong.” His words held an edge of anger.
“Yes. I’ve had an exhausting day.”
“What took you away this time?” he asked, stepping beside me and taking hold of my elbow, applying firm pressure that irritated me.
With great control, I allowed his hand to remain on my elbow. “I needed to meet with my staff at my Venilia Estate. My Stable Master has grown ill and they believe he is on his deathbed. I went to discuss and help decide on a suitable replacement. My House Steward made some selections and he wanted input.”
“What an incompetent House Steward you must have. He could not even make such a simple decision without a woman at his side?”
I stopped in my tracks, causing Magdalon to come to a sudden halt. His hand gratefully left my elbow as he swiveled to face me.
Glaring at him, I said, “Yes I am a woman but I am also the master of Venilia Estate. My father before me was very involved in the hiring process. He cared deeply about who came to work for him; he wanted to know the characters and reputations of those who would live so close. I will carry on this tradition and will be involved in every aspect of my estate. That will never change.”
Magdalon looked frustrated. “Never have I known a woman who cares about such frivolous things as hiring and firing staff. How does your House Steward ever manage anything without you?”
“I allowed him to interview men. He has a good eye for those who are trustworthy. I agreed with his decision.”
“So, what’s the man’s name?”
“What man?”
“The new hire?”
“My House Steward did not tell me his name.”
“What?”
“He told me the character of the men and I chose the one I approved of. The name is of no consequence to me.”
Magdalon stared at me and I wasn’t sure he believed me.
Part of me wished I’d enquired of the names of the men Razmig interviewed. I really didn’t care if Magdalon believed me or not. I began to walk toward the house and he followed. The Footman opened the door and I waltzed in, lifting my skirts as I entered. Before I could disappear to my bed chamber to change, Magdalon spoke.
“Meet me in the sitting room for drinks before dinner. I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
I lifted a hand to indicate I’d heard him and kept walking. I couldn’t wait to get away by myself.
When I entered my bed chamber, Akiko was there waiting for me.
“You’re late,” she said.
“Why are you here?”
She pointed to the weapons she’d placed on my dressing table. “I made you a bunch of arrows and laid them out for you. I also sharpened your throwing knives.”
I walked over to the cushioned chair by the fire hearth, sat and released a pent-up breath of air. “This day has been full of surprises and I am utterly exhausted. Magdalon is here and I don’t want to see him. I can’t seem to get a moment to myself.”
Akiko came to stand before me, her hands on her hips. “You just had a two hour carriage ride by yourself. You’ve had plenty of time alone and I don’t understand why you’re acting so selfish.”
“I’m just tired.”
“No wonder. You haven’t had much sleep in days. Perhaps you should take a break from killing tonight.”
“I thought you wanted some action?” I asked.
“We can wait until tomorrow.”
“That may be for the best. After all, Magdalon is present and I wouldn’t want him coming to my bedchamber and finding me missing.”
“I agree.” Akiko turned in excitement and opened up a box that was sitting on the floor. She said, “I went to the market this afternoon and bought some dark clothing for myself, just like you suggested.” Pulling out one item after the other, she showed them to me.
“That will do. They are sufficient for what we need.” I released another heavy sigh.
“You really are tired, aren’t you?”
“Beyond that really.” I slowly stood. “Help me change for dinner. Magdalon will be waiting.”
Half an hour later, dressed in a dark blue, lace bedecked, comfortable dress and not nearly as seductive as usual, I walked into the sitting room. Magdalon heard me enter and stood to greet me.
“You’re looking rather subdued.”
“It matches my mood.”
“Your face looks horrid with those bags under your eyes. Have you not been sleeping?”
I formulated a story that I hoped was believable. “Perhaps it’s from the tears I shed on my journey back to Dwarkaa City. I went to see my ill Stable Master, Bedad. I’ve known him many, many years. He is like one of the family. His impending death causes me great sorrow.”
Magdalon stared at me with great confusion. “Why would you care at all about servants?”
“I don’t expect you to understand, but I do care.”
He waved a hand and shook his head to express his incomprehension.
We both sat and soon a servant entered and offered me a glass of mead. I took it gratefully and gulped it down quickly. The servant gave me a surprised glance, but gained control of his astonishment, grabbed the flask of mead from his tray and refilled my glass. Setting the flask down on the end table between Magdalon and me, he turned and left the room, leaving us alone.
Silence stretched between us for much too long and, not being able to stomach it one more moment, I asked, “So what did you want to speak to me about?”
Magdalon tore his eyes from the flames in the hearth and looked at me. “Daegel, his coverling and his entire household is to be executed tomorrow at noon. We are both expected to attend. Every high official in Casimer’s employ is required to be in attendance, along with their coverlings.”
“Where is this to be held?” I asked with dread.
“At the Royal Outdoor Amphitheatre.” Magdalon’s eyes turned back to the fire and studied the flames licking back and forth. The glass of mead in his hands looked untouched.
“You are concerned.”
“Everyone hoped Daegel would be exonerated.”
“No one is safe.”
Magdalon glanced at me. “There are no guarantees in this world.”
I nodded.
He said, “You must feel relief that you did not allow him to cover you.”
“Yes. It seems I have chosen wisely.”
“Until I make some mistake and displease Casimer.”
“That is always a risk, isn’t it?” Silence stretched between us. “I presume that the problem at the vineyards was resolved?”
“Gratefully, yes. The vineyard dressers were able to get the situation under control. There should be a bountiful crop and Casimer’s wine cellars will be bursting. He is pleased; at least that’s what his Royal Guards have told me.”
“Why does Casimer not speak to you directly?”
“He does not lower himself to his common employees.”
“Will he be in attendance tomorrow for the execution?”
Magdalon’s eyes glazed with a perceptible fear. “He very likely will be. I can’t imagine that he’d want to miss watching the torture, screams, brutality and eventual demise of the ones he deems dispensable.”
Releasing a nervous breath, trepidation surrounding my heart, I turned my gaze to the fire.
A servant entered and informed us that dinner was ready. After dinner, Magdalon retreated to his bed chamber alone and I was grateful to slip away to my room.
Akiko came to help me change into my nightgown and I told her what was to happen tomorrow.
She asked, “Do you want me to join you?”
“You’d actually want to watch the killings?”
“I’ve seen killings before.”
“We’ve never attended an execution where Casimer was present. These murders will be on a whole deeper level, more gruesome than we’ve had experience with.”
“Would I be allowed to attend?”
Looking at Akiko, I said, “I wish you could go in my stead.”
“You really do need a good night’s sleep. You have become too soft in the last few days.”
I made a derogatory sound. “I have not grown soft. I have done away with many women lately.”
“Yes, but killing your husband’s mistresses verses watching Casimer torture innocent lives is totally different.”
“I will be prepared for it after a good night’s sleep.”
Akiko nodded. “I will go then. Get some rest.”
I didn’t answer as the door closed softly behind her. I walked to my bed and crawled beneath the covers. Soon sleep overtook me.
A knock on my door brought me out of a deep slumber. I sprang from my bed as though lashed with a rod and removed the throwing knife beneath my pillow all in one swift motion. “Who is it?” I asked.
“Akiko.”
“Come.”
She entered and saw me with the knife in my grasp. With a smile of amusement, she said, “Magdalon requests your company at the breakfast table. We’d better get you dressed. What would you like to wear for the day’s grand event?”
Releasing a sound of disgust between tight lips, I said “Get me something somber and dark, nothing too revealing.”
“You could wear the dark dress you wore last night.”
“No, something different with less lace.”
Akiko came holding a dark purple gown, lace only embellishing the edges of the sleeves and brass buttons lining the bodice. The waist had a thin brass colored sash. It was perfect.
I nodded and she helped me dress.
Breakfast was subdued and not much conversation ensued. When we were done, Magdalon informed me that he would be in his private study. He also told me we would leave in an hour and to be ready to go.
I took the time to prepare myself for what I was about to witness. Although I’d seen much horror in my years on this earth, partaken of many battles, I did not relish watching innocent people tortured and killed.
Soon we were traveling toward the Royal Palace Grounds and the air was filled with the heavy aura of the Tonrar. They were out in mass today, swirling, hovering and I could feel their excitement over what was about to take place. Breathing was difficult, every intake of air caused pain to shoot through my chest and I wondered if Magdalon also felt it.
His mouth stood slightly ajar and his chest rose and fell in quick succession. Yes, he felt it too.
The closer the carriage drew to Casimer’s Grounds, the heavier the air grew until it weighed down on us like an entity. My shoulders began to crumble forward and keeping my head upright was difficult.
We entered through the gates and the carriage headed toward the Palace, on past the stables and to the vast grounds at the back. A massive indoor coliseum stood to one side and the expansive outdoor amphitheatre was situated beside it.
The carriage came to a stop and we exited. Magdalon wheezed as he helped me out.
Placing a hand on his arm, I asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he said, but he didn’t look fine. His lack of air had caused his face to turn quite ashen.
I was convinced I looked no better. A smoky vapor hung in the atmosphere, the sign that the Tonrar were hovering all around us, threatening, warning that we might be next in line for annihilation.
Carriage after carriage pulled up to let off the occupants. Every member of High Society was arriving, all of them struggling with the burdensome presence of the Tonrar. All looked pale and struggled to breath.
Magdalon took my elbow and led me through an elaborate archway and into the massive amphitheatre. The sign above the grand arch read, Casimer’s Amphitheatre of Delight. No one would experience delight this day except for that horrid, tyrannical being and his relentless and wicked wraiths.
Royal Guards were on duty and showed us to our seats. The tiered seats that curved in a semi-circle faced an open area, a large, grassy circle enclosed by a high stone fence. Low rise structures hugged the stone fence on the opposite side with gates leading into the open area.
Looking to my right, I noticed a tall tower with a circular stone stairwell leading to the elevated and enclosed structure. The impressive edifice at the top was the size of a regular home but made with elaborate and rich building material. On one side of it, and facing the grassy field below, was a large balcony.
So this is where Casimer viewed the killings from, far above his lowly subjects and with quite the advantageous view. Disdain filled my chest and I felt like spitting in revulsion.
The theatre slowly filled as those of High Society arrived and were led to their seats. Broken sobs began to filter toward me and I glanced over to see who would be making such a racket. No one dared cry in Casimer’s presence. Tears would only goad the tyrannical ruler on to make the killings even more horrific and torturous.
A few rows back and to the left, I noticed Ragmag rebuking his wife, Gorma, attempting to keep her quiet. He looked angry but distressed. Their daughter, Jinx, had married Daegel and she was slotted for execution.
Turning back to study the field and the various devices of torture that had been erected, I braced myself for what was to come. Magdalon reached for my hand and held so tight I thought he’d cut off my circulation. Although it felt uncomfortable, I allowed it because it also brought some comfort. I was not forced to bear this horror alone. Also, the knowledge that I was not the one slotted for execution brought a degree of relief.
