Ebudae (35 page)

But it also needed her. Ebudae would never
be able to leave Dralin. The estate would kill her if she tried. It
promised her that too. She didn’t know how to feel about it. It
helped that she didn’t want to leave, but there was a sensation of
being trapped.

A carriage from the Temple of Reanna pulled
up on the street in front of the manor. She knew this because
Pallon Estate knew it. It also knew that Pelya was in the carriage.
Ebudae was relieved to know that the estate liked Pelya too, though
it didn’t
need
the warrior as it
needed
Ebudae.

There was a slight question presented with
the information of the guests who had arrived. The question was if
Ebudae wanted to allow them in. It was almost certain she would,
but the decision was always hers. It required only a simple thought
to confirm that she did.

Ebudae couldn’t see her friends walking in
through the gate, but she
knew
they were. She couldn’t
physically see the passages under the estate, but she
knew
they were there. She also knew what was in every room down to how
many cobwebs were in corners.
Nine hundred eighty six
.
Pallon Estate liked cobwebs and the spiders that came with them.
They were spooky like the willows outside. The estate liked spooky
things.

Shade, her emo bunny, was cleaning itself a
distance away. It wasn’t doing anything destructive. Pallon Estate
assured Ebudae that it liked the bunny and would keep it safe.

There was a knock on the main door and, with
a thought, Ebudae had the estate open it. “I’m in here,” Ebudae
called out. She realized that Tina was still sleeping, but the
servant didn’t budge.

Pelya ran in and sat on the couch next to
Ebudae, wrapping her in a fierce hug. Frath looked around when he
entered, followed by Sir Imbra. Pallon Estate respected the knight
and even feared his power a little. It also knew that he was Sir
Hamil Imbra, Knight Champion of Reanna, the
goddess’s personal
champion
. He answered to nobody but Reanna. The fact that such
an epic individual was taking a personal interest in Pelya was just
another sign that she was important in the world somehow.

“Are you alright, Ebudae?” Frath asked in a
concerned voice. “It’s dark in here.”

Ebudae had to untangle herself from Pelya’s
stranglehold. “I’m alright. I promise.” Pelya let go, but stared
intently. “I promise.” It really was dark, but Tina was still
asleep despite their talking and Ebudae didn’t want to wake her
up.

Pallon Estate made her aware that all of the
different lights in the house were connected. Ebudae could light
them magically and choose any number of others to light at the same
time. Her grandmother had no magical ability so had not been able
to use more than half of the functions of the estate.

Candles were her favorite way of lighting a
room. Most of the holders in the manor had candles in them. As long
as there was a candle, it could be lit. The estate also knew how to
make the magical flames more efficient so that each candle would
last more than a hundred times longer than normal.

Ebudae stood and concentrated on a
four-pillar candleholder above the fireplace. Pelya recognized a
spell was going to be cast and gave the wizardess space. The spell
was simple, barely rustling her silken locks, but choosing what
candles to light took focus. Ebudae whispered the words of a spell
and made precise gestures with her outstretched hands.

Yellow-green flames came to life. At the
same time, candles throughout the manor lit with the same flames.
She left the bedrooms and storage rooms dark, but lit all the
common areas. Lady Pallon normally had servants light the lanterns
to make it bright, but Ebudae loved the mysterious and eerie light
filling the room and hallway beyond. “There, now it’s not dark.”
She smiled triumphantly as she turned back to her guests. Tina was
sitting up, rubbing the sleep out of her eye.

They were looking around the room. “That was
impressive,” Frath said in an awed voice.

“That was amazing, Ebudae!” Pelya exclaimed.
“How did you do that? You must be exhausted.”

“No, it was easier than ever.” It had taken
almost no energy. There were also other focuses within the manor
that she could use to accomplish things. In fact, the entire estate
was a focus that she could use to amplify a spell.

A number of things became clear at that
point. Powerful people in Dralin feared the Pallons mostly because
of their reputation, but some also knew that the estate made them
dangerous. Few would
ever
attack her while inside. Master
Thanzin was not one of the people who knew, else he never would
have confronted her in such a way.

However, another piece of knowledge was
imparted to her. Every tower in the Tower District, Every temple in
the Temple District, and quite a few other buildings throughout
Dralin were also magically enhanced focuses. If the wizards in the
Tower District were to all cast powerful spells channeled through
their buildings at the same time, they could destroy entire
kingdoms and wreak havoc on the world of Ryallon. It was a
frightening prospect.

Very few were living entities like the
Pallon Estate.

“Ebudae?” Pelya was standing directly in
front of her and had hands on her face. Anxiety covered her
expression. “Ebudae, can you hear me? Where did you go?”

“I’m here.” She smiled. “Everything is
different now and it’s taking a lot to adjust.” Her stomach growled
audibly. “I’m
really
hungry again.”

“Lady Pallon . . .” Sir Imbra was fidgeting
with the hilt of a knife on his belt. “I haven’t noticed it before
now, but it’s come to my attention that this manor is a magical
focus.” He took a deep breath. “My goddess has made me aware that
it’s also alive and insists that I verify that you mean me no
harm.” Briefly, a golden light flashed from the knight’s eyes. “She
demands I inform you that she will defend me with all her
power.”

Pallon Estate instantly clarified within
Ebudae’s mind that it would only do what she wished, but preferred
not to be destroyed by a goddess.

Ebudae spoke in quick statements. “Sir Imbra
is my friend. Pallon Estate is under my control and will not do
anything to harm him. He is welcome here and I offer safety and
protection.”

Sir Imbra bowed. “Thank you, Milady. My arm
is at your service and I offer my protection to you in return.” He
smiled, reassured that her words were true.

“So this place really is alive? I thought so
even though she never admitted it,” Frath said with a sharp nod. He
rubbed his stubbled chin. “It likes me, doesn’t it?”

It answered before Ebudae could ask. “Yes,
Pallon Estate likes you and Pelya a lot. It does ask that you not
share its secret though and that includes you, Sir Knight.”

They assured her they would not. Frath
snapped his fingers. “That’s why the secret tunnels were always so
easy to find.”

“Secret tunnels?” the knight asked, his
interest piqued. “I like secret tunnels.”

“They
are
enjoyable,” Frath agreed.
“Especially the ones with hidden treasures.”

“I’m surprised we haven’t come across each
other after all this time,” Imbra said to Frath.

“I make it a point never to come across
anyone down there.”

“Good policy,” Imbra agreed.

Ebudae’s stomach growled again. “I
really
need food.” She linked arms with Pelya and they made
their way to the kitchen, leaving everyone to follow. Shade was
nibbling on some hay Tina had found, so Ebudae left her alone. The
estate assured her it would keep an eye on the bunny.

The candles flickering in the grand hallway
made the space seem alive. It wasn’t bright, but there were enough
to enable them to see well. Everyone was silent as they walked to
the kitchen, observing how different things seemed.

The kitchen was one of the places Ebudae
almost never visited. Once there, she stood in the room and
marveled at how quiet it could be.

“Where did all the staff go, Ebudae?” Frath
asked. “I haven’t seen anyone but Tina.”

“Tina’s the only one who ever liked me. The
rest were loyal to my grandmother and left when she died.”

“That reminds me.” Pelya put her hands on
her hips. “Priestess Omira told us that the Guard accused you of
murder?”

“I’d like to know more about that as well,”
Frath said.

Ebudae opened her mouth to give them the
details, but changed her mind. “The Guard healer determined it was
natural causes and they left without charging me. I won’t tell
either you any more than that because you don’t need problems. If
I’m able to handle the problem, I’ll do so, and I was.”

She stood there in a challenging stance
while they digested her words. Pelya finally looked at Frath for
guidance. He put his hands on Ebudae’s shoulders. “I’ll accept
that, but if you run into a problem you’re not able to solve, you
call us. Friends help each other.”

“I have a problem you can help me with.”

“What is it?” Frath asked.

“I’m hungry and I don’t know how to cook. Do
you?”

“I don’t. Meals have been provided for me
all my life, both in the orphanages and in the Guard.” Frath turned
to his daughter. “Do you know how to cook?”

“Only recruits that do poorly in drills or
study have to work in the kitchens.” Pelya held her arms out to the
sides helplessly.

Frath frowned. “Surely you’ve been sent
there a few times . . .”

Fuming, Pelya put her hands on her hips and
leaned forward. “I have
never
done poorly in drills or
study.”

He held his hands up in surrender. “I
apologize for doubting your prowess.” Ebudae giggled. She looked at
the knight, hoping he would know how. Frath and Pelya looked at him
too.

Sir Imbra’s brow rose. “Really?”

“Hey. What about Tina?” Pelya asked with a
snap of the fingers. They looked around for her, but she was
nowhere to be seen. “Where did she go?”

A door across the room opened and Tina came
out with a large platter. There were cold cuts, cheese, bread and
different spreads to add. She set the platter down on one of the
large wooden prep tables and left them to dig in. They all made
draddlies, which consisted of meats and cheese in between two
pieces of bread. They each chose different ingredients to
include.

Tina came back with a tray holding wine and
expensive crystal goblets. She set the tray down in front of Ebudae
and held a bottle up for her to approve of. Ebudae’s grandmother
had trained her on recognizing wines, so she knew by the imprint on
the wax seal that it was a rare vintage. Pallon Estate filled in
missing information on how many bottles she had of it and when it
had arrived at the estate.

“Tina, that’s one of the most expensive
bottles here . . .”

“It is fitting to drink expensive wine when
one becomes head of a noble family,” Sir Imbra pointed out.

He was right. The fact that she was not only
the head of the family, but its
only
member was becoming a
real sensation. “Let us drink then.” She opened the bottle and
poured them each a glass, including one for Tina.

They raised the glasses. Frath was the first
to speak, a fact Ebudae appreciated. “To you, Lady Ebudae Pallon.
May you find peace and happiness in your life.” It was a simple
blessing rather than a grand speech and it was the best thing he
could have said. They drank to it.

“Thank you, Frath. I know you’re Pelya’s
father, but I look up to you as I would my own. If you ever need
anything, let me know. In addition, I’ve left orders with the
estate that it is to always let you in if you should need a place
to come regardless of whether or not I’m here. The room set aside
for you will always be available as will the gardens, conservatory
and even the tunnels.”

“I’ll probably take you up on that. Also, I
want you to know that I consider you as a second daughter and will
always be here if you should need me.”

“Thank you.” Ebudae walked around the table
to give him a big hug. Pelya joined them. They were the closest
people Ebudae had to family.

“Not to interrupt the moment, but I would
like
very
much to explore those tunnels,” Sir Imbra
said.

They laughed. “It would be best if I
personally took you,” Ebudae said while going back to finish her
wine and draddly. “Give me some time to get used to everything and
then I’ll take you down. I also need time to fully rest.”

“Right now we need to handle the threat to
these wonderful young ladies,” Frath said. “The tunnels can wait.”
He patted the pack that still rested over his shoulder. “I need to
get these logbooks to Commander Coodmur and see what everyone else
has learned. I think we’ll be able to incriminate Master Thanzin if
not Blavoci too.”

“Isn’t Master Thanzin the one I hit with
lightning?” Ebudae asked.

“What?!” Frath asked. “When was this?”

“I told you . . .” Pelya scratched her head
in thought.

“No, you didn’t.” Frath put his hands on the
table. “Tell me what happened.”

Ebudae relayed the incident about the
slick-haired man’s visit. After that, they moved to the
conservatory, illuminated by the light of the moons through the
green glass as well as numerous candles. It created a surreal
effect. Once settled, Pelya and Frath filled her in with all of
their plans and the rescue of Aphry and the slaves under the
warehouse in the Livestock District. They also told about the
Rojuun.

“I am extremely glad I’m here for this,” Sir
Imbra said. “My companions and I have seen these Rojuun you speak
of. Reanna does not trust them. They live under the ground, away
from her sight.”

“You’ve met them then?” Frath asked.

“No. They avoid us and I have avoided them
by the command of Reanna. She doesn’t trust them, but my job is to
fight evil and bring the strength of sunlight to dark places. That
does not lessen my curiosity though.” Sir Imbra smacked his thigh.
“Have I mentioned that I’m glad I’ve met all of you?”