In the House of Five Dragons
15. Bloodmark
“You can’t catch a shadow. Try and you will find yourself bitten by the slithering things that home in the dark.”
— Utora Maesus, Carcaen philosopher
“Thainna Vahn.”
The voice was firm, and so was the foot prodding at her ribs. Thainna groaned and rolled away. It was still dark, but close enough to dawn that the sky shone with dim, colorless light. She turned reluctantly back, opened her eyes and sat up to look at the source of the disturbance. Her visitor was a tall Carcaen man, slender and athletically built. His short tabba was simple, but made of much finer — and cleaner — weave than anything Thainna owned.
He held out a folded piece of paper and Thainna took it with a sigh. Probably an ashmark, orders from someone in the House with more rank than her. With any luck, it would be an easy job.
When it’s finished, I can get back to working for myself, getting the money for Thain, for the Auction. Then I’ll be the sister of the Crest. I won’t get these bloody jobs anymore.
Inside the fold of paper wasn’t ash, but a spot of dark rust red. Thainna gasped and dropped it. A bloodmark — summons from the Crest of the House of Five Dragons, or at least orders from him.
Gods, why…? Had the Crest somehow heard about her strange encounter with Captain Mazrem? Was she going to be punished for being quiet, after all?
Thainna looked around to ask the messenger, but he had gone as silently as he had come. She picked up the paper again. There was more, written in gray ash like the notes she was accustomed to receiving.
Narissa
Temple of Surma
Now
A moment or two of scrubbing with the heel of her hand erased the message. Thainna folded up the blood-spotted square of paper and tucked it into her tabba. She might need it later to prove her identity or legitimacy.
The temple of Surma? Well, Thainna was at least familiar with the place. She spent enough time there visiting Thain in the fostral wing.
It was a long walk to the temple district and her summons said now. Thainna wrapped her feet and hurried out onto the street, bolting down a hard piece of bread she found the afternoon prior. It was amazing what some people threw away.
The early morning was clammy and dark with thick gray fog from the Mazren River. Lights glowed in a few windows, but most of the Rows was still asleep at this hour. Mist-blurred silhouettes passed Thainna along the road, the occasional early riser up before the sun on business or just restlessly wandering. They were as distant and silent as ghosts. Thainna felt strangely alone in the vast city — just another faceless specter.
Is this what Alterrans are like? Everyone says they live in a world that’s made of thoughts instead of… stuff. Whatever the world is made of. Terra, I guess. Is this what they’re like? Unformed things just sort of… floating around?
The fog burned off long before Thainna reached the temple. So had the chill. By the time she passed the first outlying temples mixed in among the shops and houses, Thainna was sweating and panting. Her feet hurt, too, but that was getting old and easy to ignore. She reached the blue-painted steps of the temple of Surma and took them two at a time.
Inside, a priestess recognized her and asked if she wanted to go back to the fostral. Thainna reluctantly declined and asked for Narissa instead. She was led back through the temple. The temple to the goddess of life was full of dancing golden light — tiered walls covered in rows upon rows of candles, each one representing a prayer to Surma. The temple kept the nearby chandler’s shops in good business. It was beautiful, but made the air sizzle with hot, sweet scents.
The priestess took Thainna to the western wing of the temple, opposite the fostral, and left her to wait in a large room with a blue rug in the center. Thainna’s toes sank deeply into the softness as though into dark water. These walls, too, were lined with flickering candles. The priestess excused herself and left Thainna alone.
There were voices coming from outside, barely audible through a small window. Curious — and happy to distract herself from the bloodmark business — Thainna leaned close to the glass to listen. A pair of Suvestri women leaned against the wall outside and shared a breakfast of caked rice.
“…to the Moon archouse. But it can’t be him,” said one, shaking her head. Her thick, dark hair rippled down her back like perpetually spilling ink.
“Why not?” asked the other one. “Captain Mazrem may well be a god now. Who knows what he could do?”
What? Rikard Mazrem was back in Dormaen…? Thainna’s heart beat fast. But it had all been a dream…
Another voice came from the doorway. “Thainna?”
Thainna jumped. She looked up to see a new priestess enter and pull the door closed behind her. Thainna had seen the woman before, giving orders to the other priests, but had never spoken to her. She was tall, with dark hair and skin. Pure-blooded Carcaen, of course. All of the important people were, even in the House of Five Dragons. She had to be Narissa. Thainna held out the folded bloodmark. She was embarrassed to see the paper flutter in her trembling hand.
“You’re late,” Narissa said.
She took the bloodmark from Thainna, but did not open or check it. She held it over a candle until the paper caught flame and within seconds, it burned away into ash.
“I came as quickly as I could, lady,” Thainna said. “I’m sorry, I had to walk.”
“No matter,” Narissa answered. She dismissed the excuse and barely spared a glance for the dirty girl. “You’re here now and I have your orders. You will go to the Mazrem estate and present yourself as a foster of this temple. Captain Rikard Mazrem requires care and you will administer it.”
“What?” Thainna was dumbfounded. Pretend to be a foster? Work for Rikard Mazrem? This had to be another dream or a joke or… or something. “But I don’t know anything about fosterage!”
“I’m aware, but Captain Mazrem’s injuries are superficial. He walked all the way across Dormaen with them, if not further. He suffers much more from dehydration, malnutrition and exhaustion. Change his bandages daily. I will give you a salve to apply directly to the wounds to prevent infections. If you need more, come ask any of the fosters for it or send a message. Make sure Captain Mazrem eats and drinks, but slowly at first, or he will make himself sick. Do you understand?”
“Hae, lady,” Thainna said, but then shook her head. “Wait, no! Please, I don’t understand. Why does the Crest want me to take care of Captain Mazrem? Why not send a real foster?”
“Rikard Mazrem is the single most powerful man in Carcaen history. The Crest wants you to find a way to control him.”
The bottom dropped out of Thainna’s stomach like a gallows trap, leaving her dangling and choking. She certainly did not feel like her feet were touching the ground.
“What? Control Rikard Mazrem?”
“Use whatever means are required,” Narissa said. “The House will make available to you any dram you wish, if you think you can get Lord-Captain Mazrem split on one — or more — of them. Watch him carefully for any illicit activities we can hold over him. Seduce him, if you must.”
Thainna’s head spun. It made some sense. Narissa was right — Rikard Mazrem was a popular historical figure and probably more powerful than even Emperor Tychon. Of course the Crest wanted him. The House of Five Dragons had sent Caelin to get Rikard’s son addicted to ophellion, Dorros said.
They would work ten times as hard to get to Rikard Mazrem himself.
“Please, lady, I think this is some kind of mistake,” Thainna said. “I’m just… just a thief!”
“These orders come down from the Crest himself,” Narissa told her. “You may not refuse them.”
“No,” Thainna said. “I don’t mean the orders. It makes sense, hae, but surely this is for someone else! I’m a thief, not a… a seductress. I’ve never even sold a dram. I have no idea how to get Captain Mazrem split on them!”
“The Crest is confident that you will adapt to your new duties. You’ve met Rikard Mazrem before. The Crest believes this may give you additional insight.”
“How… how do you know about that?”
“Don’t be naïve. You spoke to your brother about it within these very walls. The Crest knows a great deal. You have been selected for a singular duty, Thainna. Be grateful.”
“I can’t do it. Please! Ask the Crest to send someone else.”
“We all follow the Crest’s command, my girl. I have my orders, too,” said Narissa. “And the Crest wants you focused on the task at hand.”
Angry, frustrated tears welled up in Thainna’s eyes. She blinked them away and hoped Narissa did not notice. It was all so stupid! What did the Crest think she could possibly have learned about Rikard Mazrem while he was strangling her?
“The House knows that your twin brother is quite ill and commands much of your attention. So the Crest has taken Thain into his keeping,” Narissa said. “He will be well cared for so long as you are carrying out your orders.”
“What? No!” Thainna cried. The tide of tears surged razor-sharp against her eyes and streaked her cheeks. “Please, don’t take him! I swear I would never refuse the Crest’s orders. You don’t need to do this! I’m loyal. I’ve always done my job. Please!”
“It’s already been done,” Narissa told her. Her tone was terribly final.
Thain. They took my brother. The Crest will hurt him… or kill him if I can’t manage this insanity!
This couldn’t be real. The worlds weren’t that unfair… Thainna squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her fingers to the lids until the darkness exploded into red splotches. But when she opened them, Narissa remained stubbornly before her, looking down at Thainna without remorse.
“Can I see him?” Thainna asked. “Please, can I just see Thain before I have to go?”
“No. Time is already short. You must be at the Mazrem house before noon. Come with me. You need a bath and proper clothes if you’re to represent the temple of Surma.”
Narissa led Thainna down a narrow hallway to an otherwise empty bath room. The priestess took a simple blue tabba and a pair of silver shell-shaped shoulder pins from a cabinet, placing them on a stool. Narissa pointed to the sunken tub. Steam rose from the surface, warmed by fires burning beneath the tiled floor. Thainna felt the heat of them under her feet.
“There’s little time to linger, but make sure to wash thoroughly,” Narissa instructed.
Thainna sniffled and wiped her nose on the back of her hand. She nodded and sat down to unwind the rags from around her feet.
“Very thoroughly.” Narissa looked down at the tattered and stained cloth. “I’ll bring you a belt and some sandals.”
Thainna could not bring herself to thank the woman.
Narissa left her alone to bathe. Thainna disrobed quickly and slid down into the hot water. It stung her many scrapes and the places where her dry skin had cracked, but the prickling sensation passed quickly. She could almost enjoy the water, so deep and warm. It came all the way up to her neck when she stood in the deep center of the pool, where the water was the hottest.
Thain’s a prisoner… and I’m taking a bath.
But what other choice did she have?
Thainna collected a scratchy brown sponge from a basket at the edge of the tub, and sniffed a slippery, pale yellow ball. It smelled like jasmine, but underneath was the sharp scent of lye. Thainna lathered the soap over her skin, into her long, lank red hair and scrubbed the worst of the dirt with the sponge.
She was still working gingerly at her stained toes when Narissa returned. As promised, the priestess brought with her a belt-sash in a blue a few shades darker than the tabba and stiffened by fine silvery wire. Narissa also deposited a pair of long-laced sandals on the floor under the stool that held the rest of Thainna’s costume.
“You will be impersonating a priestess of some status — since we would never send a junior foster to care for Captain Mazrem — and you must conduct yourself as such,” Narissa explained from the steps of the bathing pool. She held out a towel and gestured for Thainna to climb out. “However, I don’t have time to teach you all of the proper Surmaen prayers, so you will be demur. You will leave the proper homages to Lady Mazrem. Do you understand?”
“Hae.”
Narissa clearly had no intention of leaving her alone anytime soon, so Thainna quickly climbed out of the bath and snatched the towel to cover her nakedness, blushing furiously. Narissa furrowed her brow and frowned at Thainna.
“Priests of the mother-goddess have no shame of their bodies. We are proud of the feminine form… skinny and bony though yours may be. Don’t blush and don’t balk if you are instructed to bathe with the other women of the Mazrem house.”
“Hae… fine,” Thainna mumbled.
Reluctantly, she used the towel to dry off instead of covering herself, and then wrapped herself in the priestly blue tabba. When Thainna had pinned the shoulders in place and tied the belt around her waist, Narissa held out a comb and gestured for the girl to sit.
“Do you have any other questions?” Narissa asked.
Thainna gritted her teeth as she yanked the comb through her wet, tangled hair. She picked out the worst of the mats and tried to think. “What if… ow… if something goes wrong? What if Captain Mazrem gets worse or someone discovers me?”
“There are other Talons already in place in the household. Do you know Arliss and Caelin?”
Thainna nodded.
“Good. Speak to either of them if you need to send word back. If Captain Mazrem’s condition worsens, tell me and I will send you further instructions. If you’re discovered, notify Arliss or Caelin and then leave. Do not return to the temple. Go back to the Rows. No one must trace you back to the House of Five Dragons.”
“But they can connect me to Caelin and Arliss?” Thainna asked. “Isn’t that dangerous for them?”
“They know and accept the risks.”
Dorros said the Crest has Caelin’s wife, just like he has Thain now. Does the Crest have something on Arliss, too, to ensure her loyalty? Probably. Even if he doesn’t need it.
Thainna’s remaining hair was in order. The other half seemed to be caught in Narissa’s comb. The priestess braided the damp red strands into a long plait and tied it off with a piece of cord. When Thainna had laced up her sandals and smoothed her new tabba, Narissa handed her a satchel. Thainna looked inside. There were bundles of bandages and a large whaleskin cylinder sealed in wax, stamped with the curvy mother-form of Surma.
“The salve,” Narissa informed Thainna. “Apply this to Captain Mazrem’s wounds daily. If you need anything else — ophellion, cardak or maephos — send word and I will provide it.”
Narissa escorted Thainna to the front door of the temple. The morning was ripe now, clear of mist and quite warm. The sun hung huge and golden in the sky. Narissa gave the young Talon a final inspection and nodded.
“I suppose that’s the best I can do on short notice,” the priestess said. “You look enough like a foster. Be sure you act it. Thain will be counting on your success. Do you know the way to the Mazrems’ estate?”
“Hae. I’ve worked in the Everstones before,” Thainna answered more sharply than she intended. “I know where it is.”
“Go, then. They’re expecting you.” Narissa pulled a few silver willows from a wallet on her belt and gave them to Thainna. “You’re already late. Rent a ride.”
Thainna trotted down the stairs and into the street. The world felt strangely soft and springy through the soles of her new sandals. She wanted to save the money Narissa had given her, to add it to her Auction bid. But if she arrived late to the Mazrem house, they might request another foster. And then where would Thainna be?
Where would Thain be? He’ll never have the chance to become Crest if I ruin things now.
Thainna waved down a small chariot and climbed in beside the driver. His eyes widened when she told him their destination, but he accepted Narissa’s money and clucked at his horse. The man tried to strike up conversation, gossiping about Rikard Mazrem’s return and the blight in Erastrasus, but Thainna could not concentrate on the conversation.
She was going to the doorstep of a man who had already tried to kill her once. What if Captain Mazrem discovered who she worked for? What if he recognized her? Thainna probably wouldn’t even have time to tell anyone, let alone run. Rikard Mazrem would kill her just for her Fiori red hair, or maybe feed her every memory and thought to his Alterran allies until she went as mad as him. And then the Crest would kill Thain for her failure.
Every bump in the road, every swerve her driver made around some other chariot or pedestrian threatened to make Thainna sick. How could the day get any worse?
At least I’ll die in clean clothes, Thainna thought. That’s something, isn’t it?
