A Power of Old(50)

What are you hiding?

I would find a way into that room eventually.

Dusk had settled, and I couldn’t imagine that the queen would be too far away. The best hope I had of finding out whether or not the barriers to the room had any weaknesses was to keep a close eye on it.

The door faced the main hallway that ran through the center of the palace. On the other side the wall was absent—only columns stood, opening up the view to yet another verdant courtyard. Stepping out into the cool night air, I looked around for a place to hide.

Directly facing the locked door were three large clay pots containing zest trees. Crouching low behind them, I had a clear view if anyone entered or left the room. The only flaw in my plan would be if Queen Trina or one of her imbecilic ministers were to enter the courtyard from the other side. Worse would be if I was approached by a nymph—short of running away, I would have very little control of my actions if one were to speak to me directly. I could only hope that for once, fortune would be on my side.

It was a while before I heard footsteps approaching. For extra precaution, I had focused my mind on accelerating the growth of the zest trees so that their leafy branches now provided more camouflage for my presence.

Shortly, Queen Trina appeared at the opposite end of the hallway, accompanied by two of her ministers.

“All went according to plan,” she said. “The fools told, as I hoped they might. Has there been any news?”

“None, your highness,” a female minister responded. “We do not understand, but perhaps the vessel failed to complete the task.”

“And they have him now, at the castle?”

“Yes.”

“That is inconvenient,” Queen Trina hissed. “Tomorrow morning I want the healer. Don’t take no for an answer.”

“Yes, your highness,” both ministers chorused.

“You are dismissed,” she replied airily.

I watched as the queen continued along the corridor. As she approached, a small twist of amusement played at the corners of her lips.

Does she know I’m here?

I didn’t make a sound as she drew closer. A second later, I put my fears to rest. The queen didn’t so much as look in my direction. She stood outside the locked door, pausing for a few moments, presumably removing the barrier that she’d placed there. When finished, she sighed with contentment, and, removing a large key, she unlocked the door. To my frustration, she opened the door so it was only ajar, and slid herself inside—completely preventing me from seeing what lay within.

Curse the woman!

If I wanted to barter my way back into Hellswan, I would need more than a description of a locked door.

Dare I try to open it now?

The thought was tempting but perilous. I couldn’t afford to become an unwanted guest within the Seraq kingdom. After Queen Trina had offered me a place to stay, I had started to hatch a plan—a plan that I was determined would see me return to my rightful place within Hellswan.

I tried to use True Sight again, hoping that she hadn’t reinstated the border. I failed. She had instantly put it back up, which at once made the room even more tempting…but also near impossible to enter.

Or do I play the innocent?

That was a more likely alternative. I was perfectly capable of pretending that I had witnessed her go into the room, and merely wished to speak to her…perhaps divulge some of my own kingdom’s secrets in return for some of hers…

Resolute, I stood up and approached the door.

I knocked once, softly. A few seconds later, Queen Trina’s laughter emanated from the room within.

Is she laughing at me? I raged suddenly, believing she thought me a fool. I was about to use True Sight again to check when the door swung open.

My rage disappeared. I blinked once, twice, unable to comprehend the sight that greeted me.

Queen Trina stood before me, smiling broadly with one hand resting lightly on the frame of the door. She was completely naked but for a thick, black tar-like liquid that covered her entire body from neck to toe. It ran down in thick globules, the shiny surface catching the light of the torches in the hallway and glistening—undulating across her skin like the tar itself was alive.

What is this?

I continued to stare at her, too shocked to say a word, my plan running off into the ether as fear penetrated my body. There was something so repellent about it—the coquettish smile on her face, the dark, unnatural liquid that swarmed over her as if to consume her.

“Jenus, what a pleasant surprise,” she murmured, indicating that my presence was anything but a surprise. “I had hoped you would visit me here. This”—she gestured to the oozing liquid—“is a gift from my master. An incredibly generous gift. It has the most miraculous healing properties. You look as if you could benefit from it—would you consider joining me?” She stood aside, revealing the interior of the room. It was completely bare, save for a large pool in the center of the room—there the repugnant black liquid bubbled and burped like some giant sprawling creature.