The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) (32 page)

One particularly overweight man leaned over a massive gilded rail and yelled, “Good for you, Commander Addex.  This Saylon brat will learn her place.”  The man’s friends laughed, but Commander Addex stared straight ahead, never acknowledging the comment
.

Jessica’s attention immediately centered on her lead captor. 
So this is Addex.
 
I thought I knew him.  The guy who killed Haesom and his family. 
She shuddered at the memory.

It was dusk when they finally left the city behind and Addex veered off the highway for the night.  The sun was long set when he stopped in a field not far from the road.  Jessica had just rolled out her blanket when Addex strolled past her.

“Excuse me, Commander Addex,” she bravely called, “could you please tell me how much longer it will be before we reach my cousin Daenon’s Rendaira?”  Every man froze in his tracks.  The two Elitet flanking her hardly breathed.  Jessica did not flinch, but stared calmly at the commander. 
Will he answer me?
  She wondered. 
He’d be a fool to ignore me.

Slowly, he turned to face her.  She felt a cold shiver run down her spine, but did not waver in meeting his gaze.  “Tomorrow,” the reply came, then he strode to an isolated spot away from the main group. 

She sensed a collective sigh of relief from the men.  Three looked at her with momentary admiration. She felt satisfaction when she lay down between her captors. 
I’m tired of being on display and feeling helpless
. 

A little before noon the following day, a second large city loomed ahead.  Once again she looked to her Elitet who rode beside her.  “Asmerth”, he barely breathed. 
No more small towns,
Jessica thought
.  Must be a large water source around somewhere.
This city was similar to the one from the previous day, with its high outer wall, sandstone buildings, and the same sad-eyed people in the streets.  Faces changed, but the eyes were just as passionless, just as glazed.

The journey through the tiern would have been identical to the one yesterday except for one brief, defining moment.  It occurred soon after leaving the central square behind.  Jessica, as usual, kept her eyes on the crowd, watching the people going about their daily business when halfway down a side street, a long-haired, bearded man met her gaze.  He caught her attention because he was a healthy, native Demarian male in a place where none were seen, but more importantly, he held her attention because his eyes displayed no hate.  There was no pity either, but kindness and a smile.  He held her stare for a moment then bowing slightly, gave the Salute of Loyalty. 

Her column of escorts moved steadily forward, so he was soon beyond her sight.  Certain that his actions would have brought on his death, she was grateful none of the Elitet noticed him.  They did not look at the people as she did, but kept their eyes riveted on the commander in front.  It was a very brave thing this individual had done and she realized if there was one ally in this city, there could possibly be more.

After leaving the metropolis behind, the eternally flat desert land began to change.  Ahead of them, like gentle ripples in the desert sea, spread gentle rolling hills.  The sun had begun its evening descent when they reached a fork in the main road at the base of the first hillock.  On the left, the land was just as arid and barren as a desert usually is, but to the right where wasteland once was, a vibrant garden flourished.  Taking the right-hand fork, the band passed under a massive green and purple botanical archway.  No one needed to tell Jessica this marked the entrance to Rendaira.

Lush, green lawns framed by tall, weeping-style trees lined the smooth road.  Large statues situated atop high points, surrounded by brightly colored flowers punctuated the skyline.  One bronze figure stood with his arm outstretched, sword in hand, another sat on a rearing horse, and a third held a bow, pulled back with an arrow locked in it, ready to shoot skyward.  Jessica could not see the statue faces clearly yet she was certain each bore a good likeness of Daenon.  The ride through the magnificent parks and gardens went for nearly an hour.

This place is beautiful.  I was right; the desert can bloom. 
When the sun at Jessica’s back fell below the horizon, the heavens directly ahead glowed as if the sky were on fire.

It took ten more minutes to clear the rising hill, and when they did, a grand mansion, the length of two football fields came into view.  Brightly illuminated by scores of torches, the heart of Rendaira shone like a jewel.  Jessica was stunned by the opulence of Daenon’s palatial compound.   

Three structures comprised the main complex, one massive edifice in the foreground with two, smaller ones standing behind it.  Forming a perfect triangle, covered walkways connected the three.  The main palace rose three full stories.  Built of both dark green granite and polished white wood, it boasted a massive front door system.   It was perfectly centered and framed in ornately spun gold.  Two large windows ascended from ground to roofline on either side of this door.  They too were encased in elaborate golden frames.  Scores of other windows, trimmed in polished wood, covered the building’s facade.  Ten sets of French doors, evenly spaced along the building’s front, were edged in matching polished timber. 

The roofline, supported by ten, triple story high, polished stone columns extended out from the front portico an extra fifty feet.  Each column was intricately carved and capped at each end with massive head and base pieces.  The drive and pathways were paved with interlocking stones forming geometric patterns of various colors.  The stones were leveled so not one bump or seam stood out. 

Several other buildings were behind and to the left of the main compound. 
Probably the stables and soldier’s barracks, s
he assumed.  When they reached the front portico, only Jessica and Commander Addex dismounted.  He led the way into the building, while the other Elitet continued on.

The massive receiving hall matched the grandeur of the palace façade.  Large, brightly colored tapestries hung from the walls.  The tall, three-story high windows were curtained in layers of cream silk.  In the center of the light-green marble floor lay a circular cream-colored rug.  A delicately carved table was positioned on top of it.  Several plush, finely crafted chairs lined the walls.  Ceramic vases that were a head taller than most men were interspersed between them.  Smaller matching pots holding tall fern-type plants finished the decor.  A large marble staircase, opposite the front door, split to the left and right three-quarters of the way up to the second level.  Four hallways, two on the right and two on the left, led from the entry.  The room would have been perfect if not for the six black uniformed guards stationed at the hallways and main door.

A man dressed in dark brown pants with a white tailored shirt, and three women, wearing simple brown pants and white peasant blouses, stood at the bottom of the staircase.  The man stepped forward, bowing deeply to Addex.  Short and grossly overweight, he oozed false charm.  “Lord Daenon is waiting for you in his office, sir.  The girl is to go directly to her assigned rooms.”

Addex walked briskly down one of the hallways to the left.  Turning to Jessica, the squat, oily servant motioned for her to go up the stairs.  Jessica, taking an instant dislike to the man, looked at him with all the hauteur she could muster.  However, feeling drained and not up to a real fight, she slung her saddle pack over her shoulder and climbed the stairs without comment.  One of the serving women led the way and the other two followed behind.

Taken through a maze of short hallways to the back of the mansion, Jessica finally reached a luxuriously furnished apartment.  It consisted of a main sitting area with two smaller rooms leading from it.  One of the smaller chambers was a bedroom with a connecting private bath, the other a mini-library.

“This is a beautifully gilded caged, but it’s still a cage,” Jessica said to the women.  “I can take it from here so goodnight.”  Jessica waved toward the door.  Once alone she cleaned up in the bathroom, changed into fresh clothes from her saddle pack and crawled between warm bed-sheets.  She was asleep within minutes. 

Jessica had no idea how long she slept before finding herself in a shroud of familiar mist.
Oh, boy,
she mentally sighed. 
What now?
Closing her eyes, she stretched her senses in each direction. 
Two people, directly ahead.
Running silently, she soon heard a man’s voice. 
Addex.

“…had it not been for your orders, I would have killed her immediately.”

Jessica heard a brief laugh as the cold crept in. 
Daenon.

“I’m glad you showed restraint, Addex.  I’m looking forward to meeting this girl who so bravely confronts my finest shield, but enough of her.  I have frustrating news.  The prison at Snow Peak has been breached and the prisoners escaped.”

“All of them?” Addex’s voice held true surprise. 

“They were whisked away a week ago, in the middle of the night, while an entire garrison of guards slept.  The tower jailer in charge of the scientists, the two provincial regulators and Gammet, was drunk at the time of the attack.  The other jailer in control of my ‘dear mother’,” Daenon said with distinct sarcasm, “was not even at his post.  He sounded an alarm, but was too late.  Most of the force was killed.”

His mother! 
Jessica thought quickly
. Naydeen!

“What have you done with the remaining guards?”

“I saved the two jailers, a little reward for your efforts.  They’re in shackles at your residence.  The others went to the front.  They’ll be in the first wave that attacks the Esparians.”

Jessica shivered.  She could only imagine the fate of the two jailers and she realized why hardened Elitet were afraid of Addex.

“Thank you my Lord, I could use some extra amusements.”

“We leave at noon tomorrow, Addex.  Now that my hostage is here, I want to begin this war.  Have fresh horses ready along the way.  We must be at the command post by noon, three days hence.  We will attack the following dawn.  Send the word.  I want a well-coordinated assault.  I’m sorry I can’t give you more time with the jailers.  I know how you enjoy prolonging…”

Daenon’s words trailed off.  Jessica no longer listened. 
Well-coordinated assault
, she thought.
Hostage!  I was right, that’s what I am!
  Anger flushed through her body, melting the cold in the pit of her stomach.  “Daenon you’re a fool,” she spat hotly.  “You will
never
win this war.” 

Daenon quit speaking.  Jessica did not realize she spoke out loud until after doing so.  “Did you hear that Addex?” Daenon sounded stunned.

“Yes, I did.”

They heard me?
 
This is great!

“You may win a battle or two, but the war is already lost.  You’ve lost before beginning,” Jessica sneered.  She wanted to shake them up and hoped she was succeeding.

“Who are you,” Daenon cried angrily.

“
Remember Daenon
, ‘Protector new will lead the land, Mercy and kindness from his lips, Upon this course the balance tips’,
” she quoted.  “Your own grandfather foresaw your downfall.  You cannot win.”

Jessica felt she had done enough and backed off.  Daenon said something more, but she did not catch it.  When she could no longer hear him, she stopped retreating. 
Anger’s good, I’m warm.  Now to leave, but how?  
The mist swirled close and thick.  “Well, if I’m awake,” she reasoned, “then if I go back to sleep I might end up back in bed.  If I’m already asleep, then going to sleep here can do no harm.”

So Jessica lay down on the floor she could not see.  It was definitely there and it was firm, just obscured by the opaque fog.  Her earlier anger dispelled the chill in the air, so now she was neither too cold nor warm and soon fell asleep.

“Mistress.  Mistress wake up!”  Someone shook her.  Jessica slowly came around.  One of the young serving women from the previous evening stood over her, her face pensive.  Her gray-green eyes darted to the apartment door and back to Jessica.  “Please wake up,” the woman whispered.

“I’m awake.  What’s wrong?” Jessica whispered back.  The room was still dark except for one small, lit candle on the nightstand.

“You must dress, quickly.  Lord Daenon is coming and you must not meet him in your nightclothes.  I have brought day clothes.  Hurry and meet him with dignity.  He comes at this hour to humiliate you.”

Jessica did not argue, except to say, “I’m already dressed.”

Jessica was barely out of bed and smoothed her hair when the door to the sitting room banged open.  Two men, holding bright lamps bustled in.  She squinted against the sudden brilliance.  A tall, muscular, sandy blond haired man stood in the doorway.  He stared at the empty bed, his smug expression turning to dismay and then anger. 

She took the few seconds it took him to locate her to size him up.  She knew he was her grandmother’s first cousin, so was not surprised by the familial resemblance—high cheek bones and thin nose with a strong, square jaw line.  It would have been a handsome face, with the well-groomed goatee and short-cropped hair, but his mouth and eyes betrayed the cruelty within.