A Dragon's Tale Ch. 52

The other thing she really didn't want to think about was 'holding Ethan's wing' again. Despite how incredibly hot it had been the first time, ever since the birthday thing she just... She slowly shook her head. She had half a mind to run down to the lower decks and take care of herself just because Ethan had said that he wouldn't finish the fantasy if she did. For the first time, she didn't want him to.

"Meow."

She looked down to see Thor there. The kitten gently rubbed up against her ankle and then sat down while looking up at her. She smiled despite the turmoil in her mind; it was hard to feel down with a cute kitten being so nice.

"Selene, you could bring the table and chairs up from the hold if you want to help." Anthiel said.

She looked at the high elf and raised an eyebrow. "Table and chairs? Why have we been eating while sitting on the decking if there's a table and chairs?"

"You'll see." The high elf replied. "Serif can show you where they and their logs are."

"Logs?"

Anthiel pointed to Serif, her body language indicating that she should just go see for herself. As he sometimes did, Serif seemingly appeared out of thin air nearby. She hadn't even heard him arrive. She followed him down to the lower deck and he led her into the storage room under the captain's cabin, then pointed to what looked like a wall. It took her a moment to realize that it wasn't a wall, it was something leaning on the wall. It was several large pieces of leather neatly sewn together to make...

She cocked her head to one side. "Huh, a leather table? I assume it has a stiffening enchantment?"

Serif nodded. "And self-cleaning."

She supposed it made sense. Lord Borden might need to have a nice dinner on his airship and a leather table made perfect sense.

"Logs first." The crewman said.

The logs he was talking about were somewhat ornately carved logs about six inches in diameter that weighed almost nothing, probably because they had a lightening enchantment on them. They hauled many of the logs up to the weather deck over several trips and then returned for the table. Once it was on the deck she activated it and it unfolded and snapped to being straight as a board and large enough to fit a good-sized dinner party. The side that had been facing her below decks was clearly the underside and the top of the table had some gold inlay in the rich brown leather.

The table legs extended down below the table in a squared-off "u" shape and the logs had a slit in them wide enough to fit over the horizontal part of the legs that touched the decking. They activated the logs once they were in place, increasing their weight to double their natural weight and anchoring the lightweight table so it didn't blow away in the wind.

Then they went down for the chairs. The chairs had also been in the storage room, hidden behind the table. They were flat pieces of leather shaped like a thick "T". When activated, the bottom of the "T" folded up to make the chair's back, and the sides folded down to make the legs, though there was a slot in the legs large enough to fit smaller logs so they didn't blow away either. They were quite comfortable.

"Okay, that was a pain hauling everything up here." Selene said to Anthiel when they were done. "I see why we don't do that every time we eat; we'd spend half our time on setup and teardown."

Anthiel just smiled.

Selene went to go find something else to do to take her mind off the next time she would have to hold Ethan's wing, and also so she didn't have to think about the whole birthday thing.

Thor didn't leave her side.

* * *

Sarah was led into Lord Delmar's throne room by a half dozen soldiers in the red Narlotten uniforms with the stylized black dragon on the front. The hall was busy and Lord Delmar appeared to be involved in some sort of negotiation with someone who didn't look like he was from Narlotten. It looked like a large portion of the court was there as well, though she was judging by how full the room looked rather than any actual knowledge of the court's size. There were rather a lot of people crammed into the immense room.

She noticed Lord Delmar's court mage there as well.

The man who had taught her to shield her mind was wearing similar clothing to when she had seen him the other day. His simple but high-quality shirt and pants stood in stark contrast to the finery of the other nobles. His balding head and short gray beard stood in contrast to his rather fit appearance. Frankly, he looked rather bored at the proceedings.

"Lord Delmar!" The lead soldier of her guard said, interrupting the proceedings. "There is an urgent threat to Narlotten that requires your immediate attention."

Lord Delmar looked at the man, then his eyes traveled to Sarah, then the men around her. Finally, his eyes rested on Fiona and Amy, both of whom had insisted on coming and were following the soldiers. His gaze lingered on them for a fraction of a second longer than the rest, and then he addressed the man in front of him.

"I apologize Prince Vulrit, I'm afraid we shall have to continue this presently."

"As you wish, Lord Delmar." The prince gave a formal bow and then stepped off to the side.

Lord Delmar looked at the approaching company, which stopped about a dozen feet from the large, raised platform on which Lord Delmar's throne sat. Sarah hadn't fully appreciated just how high it was before. The platform's floor was slightly higher than her head. From her position in front of the throne, she could see the stained-glass window depicting Illuminar's light shining down, apparently bathing the throne's occupant in the radiance of the Great God of Light.

"What is this urgent threat?" Lord Delmar asked.

"This girl my lord." The lead soldier indicated Sarah. "She has been possessed by a demon."

"I am aware." Lord Delmar replied simply.

Shocked gasps and whispers could be heard throughout the grand hall.

"She... she was working in your kitchens, Lord Delmar." The soldier finally got out.

"I am aware." Lord Delmar replied simply.

The gasps and whispers intensified in the great hall until they were quite loud, with many people talking at normal speaking volume.

"Silence." Lord Delmar said. His volume was barely above normal speaking tone but it somehow cut through the din.

Instantly, the hall fell silent.

You could've heard a pin drop.

"Guardsman, you have arrested this girl." Lord Delmar continued. "What crime did she commit that you bring her here with an armed escort?"

"S-she has a demon." The guardsman stammered, his tone clearly indicated that he believed that was a crime itself.

"I am aware." Lord Delmar said calmly. "What is her crime?"

"I..." The man seemed completely unsure what to say or do. "I heard that she was demon-possessed and assumed... Doesn't that require necromancy?"

"It does." Lord Delmar said, but didn't say anything else.

An uncomfortable silence filled the air.

For nearly an entire minute, no one spoke, no one moved, and the only sound that could be heard was breathing. Sarah found herself somewhat confused by this turn of events, though on reflection perhaps she shouldn't have been. Lord Delmar did already know and hadn't held it against her.

Finally the guardsman spoke. "I... I assumed that if she has a demon then she must've used -- or associated with -- men who used dark magic."

Lord Delmar inhaled slowly and then exhaled just as slowly. "Twelve years, one month, and seventeen days ago, this girl was kidnapped from near her home. Later investigation revealed that she had been taken to a cave where several necromancers had set up a sacrificial table. It is reasonable to conclude that she was to be their sacrifice to summon the abomination that resides within her now. Four days later, her father packed up his inn and took his life's savings with him to help his daughter. Over the next one year, two months, and fifteen days, they visited every exorcist in Ivernia as well as most of the great temples to Illuminar -- blessed be He; none could help her."

The whole room looked like they were hanging on Lord Delmar's every word.

Sarah certainly was.

It was incredible how accurately he had laid those details out. She remembered him saying that his men had made a full investigation into her case when she had met him on his airship, but she hadn't expected him to remember all of that.

"My men interviewed fifty-seven luminars to discover the girl's disposition. Without exception, every one of them testified that she did all that was asked of her -- and often beyond it -- in an attempt to rid herself of the abomination within her." He looked at the guardsman. "So now that you know her story, I ask again: what is her crime?"

"I... I don't know of one beyond the possession." The guardsman admitted.

Lord Delmar took a deep breath and fixed the man with a long stare. No one moved or spoke for several long seconds until the lord began to speak again.

"Guardsman Ellis Trelane, joined guard service thirteen years, five months, and twenty-five days ago. You currently have an exemplary record. Your immediate superior reports that you are very diligent in your duties and often assist your fellow guardsmen in their duties, even on your own time. He also reports that you are very zealous for protecting the areas and people committed to your care, as well as being a man of impeccable character."

"However." Lord Delmar's eyes narrowed slightly. "You are also quick to make judgments before knowing all the facts. This has kept you at your current rank significantly longer than is normal."

The guardsman averted his eyes.

"I admire your zeal for protecting those entrusted to your care, and that you didn't delay in bringing what you perceived as a serious crime and security breach to my attention. However, you have now publicly shamed this innocent girl for the crime that was committed against her many years ago. You shall have no punishment for this for you have broken no law. I believe your guilt will punish you far more effectively than I could because your feckless actions have shamed an innocent girl. If you sleep well tonight knowing this, then you are not the man that your superiors believe you to be. Take this lesson to heart and be more diligent to learn all the facts before acting in the future."

The man nodded.

Along with everyone else in the great hall, Sarah stared at Lord Delmar.

She was speechless, just like everyone else.

Lord Delmar had defended her?

Really?

It just didn't seem possible. No one defended her after learning of her problem. No one. Well, perhaps Ethan and his wives. And now that she was thinking about it Fiona had as well. She wasn't used to that. She wasn't used to people defending her when they knew about her problem.

It was nice.

Shocking and unexpected this time, but very nice.

"Sheathe your swords." Lord Delmar told the soldiers around her, and they did. Then the lord turned his gaze towards Sarah. "On behalf of Narlotten, I formally apologize to you for the treatment you have received this day."

"Um, thank you." She replied, not able to keep a small smile off of her face.

Lord Delmar turned to Prince Vulrit, who had seen everything transpire since he was standing nearby. "Shall we continue?"

The prince looked back and forth between Lord Delmar and Sarah several times, finally fixing his gaze on Sarah and frowning. "I am not sure I feel safe with a demon-possessed girl in the castle."

There was a general murmur of agreement throughout the court.

"If you would prefer, you may seek alternate lodgings outside the castle." Lord Delmar replied.

Sarah felt her jaw drop.

"Lord Delmar, I don't mean to be indecorous, but that would be highly irregular." Prince Vulrit replied. "She has a demon; can anyone be safe with a demon on the premises?"

Again, Sarah heard a general murmur of agreement in the court. Lord Delmar didn't reply. Instead, he merely continued looking at the prince and let the awkward silence fill the room.

"Lord Delmar, I cannot continue these negotiations while you play host to a demon." The prince finally said.

Lord Delmar made a thoughtful sound and inclined his head fractionally to one side. It was several seconds before he spoke. "Then these negotiations are concluded."

Sarah blinked.

What?

Prince Vulrit looked like he had been slapped. "B-but, but you can't cancel our negotiations like that."

Lord Delmar raised an eyebrow as he sat comfortably on his throne, seemingly perfectly at ease and completely unconcerned. "Why not?"

"Over one wicked girl?"

"She is in my employ and has committed no crime." Lord Delmar replied as if they were discussing the weather. "Thus I will not dismiss her unless you have proof of either incompetence or wickedness on her part."

The prince seemed speechless.

"T-there, there must be something." He finally stammered. "Surely those who work with her would know."

Lord Delmar made another thoughtful sound and then spoke without taking his eyes off the prince. "Fiona McWilliams, please step forward."

The copper-haired woman did so while Conner on her chest was looking around wide-eyed at the room and the people in it. "Yes milord."

"You work with Sarah in the kitchens; tell us what you know of her first-hand." Lord Delmar instructed.

"She's a sweet, kind, and caring woman in addition to being a fine worker." Fiona replied. Her voice was strong and without waver, though she didn't look entirely comfortable with the situation or addressing the entire court. "I haven't known her long, but she's going out of her way to help others. I was inviting her to be rooming with me because she's being so kind. And like I was saying, she's a right fine worker in the kitchens as well."

"Um, Lord Delmar?" Amy said from behind Sarah as she raised her hand halfway.

Lord Delmar glanced in her direction. "Amelia Fitzwelden, do you have something to add?"

She nodded. "Sarah was very nice to me as well. She knew I had a problem and found me just so she could help me with it."

Lord Delmar turned to one of his men. "Summon Marge from the kitchens."

The man gave him a short bow and then hurried out of the room. Prince Vulrit opened his mouth to speak, but Lord Delmar spoke first. "Peace; we will hear from my head chef who is Sarah's superior."

The prince fell silent at once.

Sarah stood there in total shock at this strange turn of events. She almost couldn't believe it was happening. Almost all the nobles in the hall were whispering to each other the whole time, though none was loud enough to draw any attention to himself. Lord Delmar's court mage -- the man who had taught Sarah to shield her mind -- was looking on curiously. Unlike most of them, he didn't appear to be shrinking away from her. Instead, he merely looked curious and interested.

Sarah realized her mouth was open and closed it, still not quite believing that this was happening.

She still hadn't fully recovered from the shock when the soldier led Marge into the great hall a few minutes later. As usual, she had flour on her apron which made a large contrast to the nobles in their finery. However, she didn't look the least bit intimidated.

"Marge, tell us of Sarah's behavior in the kitchens." Lord Delmar instructed.

"She's a bloody fine worker." The head chef replied. "Gets more done faster and with a better attitude than the rest of my cooks except for Fiona here--" She indicated the copper-haired woman. "--and Sarah does a better job than the rest too. I would give my right arm for another dozen like her and Fiona."

Sarah felt her heart swell at the praise.

Lord Delmar turned to Prince Vulrit. "Your accusations are baseless."

The prince drew himself up to his full height and tried to look down his nose at Lord Delmar, which was made difficult because his head was at the level of the lord's feet. "I will not stand for this Lord Delmar. I demand that you--"

"Demand?" Lord Delmar interrupted. He hadn't raised his voice even a little and yet it seemed to overpower the prince's voice easily. "You would usurp the right of a lord to run his own castle as he sees fit?"

"No, no of course not Lord Delmar." The prince replied with both an edge and a slight waver in his tone. Sarah was pretty sure he was trying to make his voice strong, but there was no comparison between his voice and Lord Delmar's. "But as long as she is in Karnas, I won't be."

Lord Delmar made a thoughtful sound before he replied as if they were merely discussing the weather. "Your wit and bravery will be missed."

Fiona, Amy, Lord Delmar's mage, and several nobles in the room stifled laughter. Even Sarah smiled.

The prince raised himself up to his full height, and then he turned and began striding out as imperiously as he seemed able.

Sarah's smile faltered.

She truly appreciated that Lord Delmar was defending her, but she didn't want to be the reason that Narlotten was hurt. If Lord Delmar was negotiating something personally, it must be important. If it was important enough for Lord Delmar to be personally involved, she really didn't want to stand in the way.

As she thought about it, she realized that things were going to change in Karnas for her anyway. Her fellow cooks had already become afraid of her and started avoiding her. She knew Fiona wouldn't do that and didn't think Amy or Marge would either, but her presence was already causing problems in the kitchens as well. It seemed likely that the cooks might start to leave as long as she was around; that's what had happened in her hometown and Prince Vulrit's reaction proved that it was likely to happen again.

At the end of the day, her presence in Karnas would make life harder for a lot of people and she didn't want to do that. She didn't want to leave Fiona and Amy either, but she had already been planning to leave Karnas eventually. If she left now, she could do some good with her leaving.

She swallowed hard. "Lord Delmar?"

He looked at her.

She took a deep breath, her voice cracking ever-so-slightly as she spoke. "I can leave Karnas."

Prince Vulrit stopped.

"That is your choice of course." Lord Delmar said. "However, there is no need."

"But there is." Sarah replied. "I don't want to cause problems for you, or Karnas, or Narlotten. People left my hometown when they found out about my..." She swallowed. "...about my demon. I don't want the same to happen in the kitchens, or the castle, or to your negotiations because of me. I can leave."

The lord regarded her for a long moment before speaking. "Noble." He nodded his head slowly. "Very noble."

"Thank you." Sarah tried to smile at the compliment, but her heart wasn't in it. "I... I'll go pack now. I can leave in the morning."

"May Illuminar -- blessed be He -- guide you on the path of light as you travel." Lord Delmar said, then raised his voice slightly to address the whole room. "My court will pray that for you as well." He said it like a statement, but there was no doubt it was meant as a command.

"Thank you." Sarah did actually manage a small smile at that, even though the expressions on many of the court's faces made it clear she would get no prayers from many of them. Notably, Lord Delmar's court mage gave her a respectful nod. Prince Vulrit turned on his heel and walked out, probably not to return until the following morning when she was gone.

Sarah sighed.

As Ethan had once said, her heart ached.

She didn't want to leave Fiona or Amy and certainly not both of them. The former had been a wonderful friend and while she didn't know the latter nearly as well, they got along splendidly.

She turned to face them, a sad smile on her face. "I'm going to miss you guys."

Fiona had a sad smile on her face as well and even Conner looked grouchy, though that might just be because it was about his normal feeding time.