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window the chair faced, he discovered he had the perfect view of the practice fields below. His
manno had been right about her watching them. Lifting his eyes, he found his mother watching him
with the strangest look in her eye.
 You look so like my manno sitting there, she said quietly.  I never realized that before because
you are also so like your manno.
 Your manno truly made this? he asked, his eyes returning to the chair.
 Yes. It and the table were the only pieces he ever made specifically for himself. He would sit in
that chair and design his next piece or he would hold me when I had a nightmare and tell me he loved
me. Tears filled Isis eyes as she spoke.
 I wish I could have known him, Vali told her.
 So do I.
Before Vali could speak again, his comm rang.  Yes?
 Warrior Vali there are four males here saying they are to report to you, one of the guards at the
Wing s doors informed him.
 Yes, send them up. Vali rose from the chair.  Are you sure you want to move these pieces to the
Entrance Hall? Vali let his eyes travel around the room again, this time easily picking out the pieces
his mother s manno had made.
 Yes, our males need places to sit after a long, hard day. My manno s pieces were designed
specifically for that.
 But the fabric& 
 Is more durable than you think, and if it is damaged, it can easily be recovered. Don t worry so.
 But if we take these pieces the majority of this room will be empty.
 Which is fine, since I m no longer staying in these rooms.
 You re not?!! Vali s eyes went wide.
 No. I am now staying in the Lord s Chambers, Isis told him with great satisfaction.  It s where I
should have been all along.
 I&  Before Vali could say more, the sound of hesitant footsteps on the stairs stopped him.
Moving to place himself between the stairs and his mother, he put his hand on the hilt of his sword,
removing it only after he verified that it was only the four males his manno had sent.
 Hello, Jael, Isis smiled as she moved around Vali.  And who have you brought with you?
 This is Abir, Fajr, and Eben, my Lady. Each male bowed to her as Jael introduced them.
 You are all in your second year of training? Isis asked.
 Yes, my Lady, they told her.
 Then soon it will be you that will be resting on this furniture before your Lord s entrance fire.
Vali had to hide his smile as the chests of all four males puffed up at his mother s words. They
knew only those in their final years of warrior training were allowed to sit in the entrance hall. For
their Lady to say such a thing meant she believed in them.
 Now, Isis continued,  I want everything in this room, with the exception of the chair and table by
the window, and the things I place on the mantle, taken to the entrance hall, starting with this couch.
She touched the piece she was referring too.  It will take all four of you to carry it, for it is solid dair
and very heavy. Take your time with it, and if you find you need extra help, make sure you get it. I
don t want you hurt. You matter more than any piece of furniture. Picking up several items, she
turned and went to put them on the mantle.
Isis didn t see the shocked looks on the trainees faces, but Vali did. He knew that with those
simple words of caring, his mother had secured the loyalty of these four and she hadn t even meant
too.
 Yes, my Lady, they quickly said and immediately did her bidding.
" " " " "
Oryon took his time studying the order slips before him. They were hand written by Master
Kaspar, stating in exacting detail what was to be made for House Rigel, maybe too exacting. There
were two signatures on each invoice. Master Kaspar s and Master Bard s, along with what Master
Bard was compensated.
 As you can see my Lord, it is as I have said. Solid dair furniture was ordered.
 Yet that s not what was received, Oryon stated, leaning back in his chair.
 If that is truth, I was unaware of it until today.
 If? Oryon growled at Kaspar.
 My Lord, while I understand you supporting your Lady before the trainees, it is not necessary to
do so before me.
 You believe I would speak an untruth... before my males& because my Lady was present?
Oryon s voice grew with each word.
 Only to not upset your female. I know she believes she is correct.
 Did you not listen to my words about who my Lady s manno was? Oryon stressed Isis title.
 Of course, my Lord, but it s not as if Master Geb would have actually taught her anything.
Kaspar s words indicated that the very thought was ridiculous to him.
 So you doubt my words. Oryon s tone became lethal.
Kaspar s gaze flew over his Lord s face. He finally realized that his Lord had not just been
humoring his female. He actually believed her about the furniture. Her, a female, before him, a trusted
high-ranking male in his House.
 I& my Lord& I would never...
 Yet you just did, Master Kaspar! I say that the furniture is inferior and not solid dair as these
invoices say! Why?!!
 I& my Lord& I do not know!
 I want all the invoices for this House brought to me! Every. Single. One. Do you understand
Kaspar?
 I& yes, my Lord. It will take me a little time to gather them.
 You have three hours Master Kaspar and then I want you back here.
 Yes, my Lord.
 While you are doing that I will get to the bottom of the furniture with Master Bard.
Kaspar paled at his Lord s words.  I& yes my Lord& three hours. Spinning on his heel, Kaspar
quickly left the room, his mind racing. If Oryon talked to Bard, he would discover Kaspar s
deception. What was he going to do? As he rushed around the corner, he plowed into Jago.
 Hey! Jago grunted, shoving Kaspar away.  Watch where you re going! Jago had never liked
Kaspar, even before he had become Master of House Rigel. Although they were the same age, Kaspar
had been several years ahead of Jago in his training, due to Jago s problems on Luda, and Kaspar had
never let him forget it. Not that Kaspar had known the reason& no one had except Lord Oryon, and he
had kept that to himself. It was something Jago had been grateful for, but now, because of what
happened on Tornian, everyone knew, and he was being treated differently. It was why he was on his
way to speak to his Lord.
 You watch where you re going! You drunkard! Kaspar spat at him, telling Jago word had spread
throughout Betelgeuse of his shameful past. Shoving Jago aside, Kaspar continued on his way.
" " " " "
Oryon was gathering the invoices Kaspar had left and was rising to leave when there was a knock
on his door.
 Enter! he commanded and was surprised to find Jago entering.
 My Lord. Jago s arm crossed his chest, as he bowed to the male that had given him back his
honor.
 Jago, what can I do for you? Oryon sank back in his chair.
 My Lord, before you stands a male that only exists because of you. You allowed me to recover
my honor and rise above my past. I repaid that by bringing shame onto your House.
 Jago&  Oryon was shocked by the young male s statement and was about to tell him so, but Jago
continued.
 I need to request that you release me from my vow to you.
 Why? Oryon demanded.
 Because I don t want to bring more dishonor to your House.
 Where would you go?
 I& I don t know yet but&  [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]