Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 6

[ Garrett ]

The King was issuing orders and I was trying to keep my cool. I had no idea Taiya could alter her appearance so completely. Sure I knew there was a little blue magic somewhere in her blood but there was no evidence in her features of how much ability she had and so I’d assumed she had very little power. There were no pointy ears, she was small, her skin was not tinged in any shade of the Fae and her hair was a regular colour. Given that Taiya now looks like an entirely different woman it was obvious the face I knew wasn’t her real one either. Took an incredible amount of energy to keep the magic active in such a permanent way. The almost four years I’d known her had kept up the same appearance. Her eyes hadn’t even glowed. They should have glowed blue while her magic was active, blue was the shade of shifter magic after all, but somehow she was able to conceal it. Tricksy little shifter.

Another big question was how, under the Sky and upon the Earth, had she managed that with the imbued cuffs?

Her now auburn hair hung limply across half her face as she stood next to the King shrouded in his cloak. I didn’t trust her, not one little bit.

“Captain.” His Majesty called.

“Your Highness.” I bowed for what seemed the millionth time today.

“There will be two guards posted at Lady Esther’s room at all times for her protection and a personal escort for the palace grounds...” King Leoré was still speaking when Taiya swayed and crumpled. I caught her just before she hit the floor.

“Good catch, Captain.” The King gave me a rare smile.

“Your Majesty if I may…” I said standing back up with Taiya in my arms.

“Captain, if you are about to suggest I reevaluate the orders I have issued in regard to Lady Esther’s stay, I suggest you shut your mouth.” He glared, his grey eyes cold and hard.

“My apologies, My King.” I dipped my head. This was ridiculous. What was the King thinking? Letting this viper into the castle was a bad move. I had not thought of His Majesty as one to be taken in by a ‘damsel in distress’ but here he was fawning over this manipulative witch.

“Take Lady Esther to her room.” The King ordered in a steely voice, dismissing me.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” I looked down at the pale woman in my arms as I headed for the door. I didn’t recognise her at all. Her little act hadn’t fooled me. Just because she shed a few tears and started acting like a ‘Lady’ she was now being pandered to. How ridiculous.

“And Captain.” I turned back to my King. “If anything untoward happens to Lady Esther I will be holding you personally responsible.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” I swallowed my anger. The only thing I believed about ‘Lady Esther’ was that she had actually fainted. There was only so much a person could take. I suspected Taiya could have taken a lot more if she hadn’t had that allergic reaction. Not that I actually wanted to see how far she could go. The idea of breaking her on that table did not appeal to me in any way, shape or form.

I made my way down the stone corridor, navigating with ease. Why King Leoré had stayed behind in the cell I didn’t know and I certainly wasn’t going to question it. I was in hot enough water with his Majesty as it was.

“Graceson.” I called, seeing the guard ahead of me in the passageway.

“Captain.” He answered immediately, standing to attention.

“Go to the South West guard post and have Jakar and Benton meet me at the Turquoise Suite. Then find Willis, I needed them in my office yesterday.” I went to move past him but suddenly remembered Davis. “Also have Davis posted on the Eastern city wall watchtower, four weeks without rotation. That will be all.” Four weeks looking at the roiling sea, blisteringly cold winds and having to listen to Old Shawn repeatedly tell his tale about that one time he apparently saw a woman with a fishtail would be an adequate punishment.

“Taiya.” I whispered aggressively to the still unconscious woman in my arms. “It’s just me, no one else is around you can stop pretending. I just need the Remnant. Once I have it you can go.” No use, she didn’t even stir. She was out for the count.

Carrying her through the castle was easy, Taiya was pretty light and like all castles (I presume because I’d never been to a different one) the corridors were wide and spacious, as were the doorways. Servants and guards were in abundance so there was always someone available to open a door.

I arrived at the Turquoise Suite but before I could be let in by the maid who had accompanied me from the previous floor the door was wrenched open.

“Honestly Captain, did you take a detour around the south gardens or stop for a spot of tea?” Grace the Head Housekeeper admonished.

“Ms Doran, perhaps next time you would like to carry a woman up the seven flights of stairs it took to get here?” I told the matronly woman in front of me. Her hair had long been grey with age and was forever scraped into the neatest bun in the entirety of the Kingdom. Exceedingly neat to conceal one small strip of flaming orange hair.

“Pish posh Captain, will you get the girl in here and stop dallying in the hallway.” She held the door wide with her wrinkled knobbly hands so I could bring Taiya into the room. “Strapping young man like you should have no problem carrying a waif of a girl like that or are you saying you’re no fitter than an old lady like me?”

“Ah Grace… whoever said you were an old lady?” I jibbed. We did not get along.

“Garrett, cease your insolence and lay Lady Esther on the chaise longue. Excellent.” She declared as I set my ward on the deep turquoise velvet material. “Now get out. We have womens’ work to do.” Ms Doran began shooing me out of the door. I would rather have stayed but Grace was a force to be reckoned with and I didn’t need to be arguing with the King.

“I’ll be right outside the door should you need me.” I told Grace while eyeing the still sleeping Taiya over her short frame.

“Of course Captain.” She rolled her lively brown eyes at me. “If we need something heavy lifting or there's a spider in the chambers I’ll be sure to call you. Well maybe not the spider, it would be unfair to subject it to your ugly face.” On that charming note Ms Doran slammed the door shut.

With a deep exasperated sigh I took my position at the door waiting for Jakar and Benton. Hopefully they would arrive shortly and I could brief them quickly. I desperately needed a wash, I could still smell Taiya’s vomit on my fingers and the quicker I could speak to Willis the better. They needed to be abreast of the situation and in action as soon as possible.

Jakar and Benton were excellent choices, sharp, attentive and polished enough that they would fit in in this part of the castle. Jakar was in his early 20’s his Father and his Father before him had served in the Kings Guard. At over 6ft with dark oak skin and pointed ears there was a fair bit of Fae in his blood which resulted in tracking magic. It wasn’t very strong but the more time he spent in proximity to someone the better able he was to track someone. Taiya was a flight risk so Jakar was a prudent choice.

Benton was older, nearing 40, but fit as an ox, not quite as tall as Jakar and no pointed ears either. His skin was Fae tinged in pearlescent white, shaved head and his eyes were completely white. He had ‘sight’ but he could see as well. Benton could be a little… odd at times, I suppose I would be too if the things I saw weren’t always there. Understanding Benton’s magic was difficult, especially when his explanation was vague at best; however it had been invaluable when previous occasions had called for it.

They arrived shortly and I briefed them quickly, eager to get on. For now they would stand guard together but I would split them as soon as I could. Their talents would go further if they were partnered with a non-magic Guard; it was my standard practice to ensure an even spread of those with magic across the castle and city defences, in this way there were fewer weak points.

I was just leaving when a maid arrived with a food trolley.

“What’s all this?” I asked.

“Cook told me to bring it up for our guest Lady Esther, Captain.” The maid held the handle tightly and looked at the floor. A plain white wrap covered her head hiding her hair. Made me wonder what she was hiding but I didn’t vet the main staff, that was Grace’s job.

“Take it back.” I told the trembling maid while I eyed the mountain of rich foods on the tray. Everything from cheese and meat to cake and fruit pie. I almost sighed. Taiya had barely eaten in two weeks and while the feast would be tempting it would do her no good. The rich heaviness would have her guts in knots and she would be vomiting it all up in no time. I think we had both had enough of her vomit for today. “Lady Esther has not been well, have Cook send chicken broth and a little bread. The same for her evening meal but ask him to add a small amount of vegetables. Eggs and bread for the morning. Just plain eggs - no milk, cream or butter. I’m sure Healer Asperonin will agree with my assessment, tell Cook I will ask him to discuss Lady Esther’s condition with him as soon as possible.”

“Of course, Captain.” The maid turned the trolley and started to head away.

“A moment Miss.” Benton called. She stopped. With no explanation he picked the steaming tea pot up with one hand and scooped up a couple of tea cups with the other.

“Jakar,” I said, trying not to roll my eyes. “Collect some saucers from the trolley, tea cups without saucers will bring the wrath of Grace Doran on us all.” I said dryly heading to the stairs.

I’d made it to the next floor down when Zach stepped out of the wall next to me. Everytime that green haired lad stepped out of a wall it near on gave me a heart attack. At least I’d gotten him to stop popping up out of the stairs.

“King wants to see, right away.” Zach bounced from one foot to the other. He was tall for his age, but given how much Fae blood was in him it was understandable. Other than Healers, who always had a head full of blond hair, for most others who were magically imbued normally it was just ears or skin and for those that were lucky (or unlucky enough, depending on your perspective) to possess a shade they would only have a streak or two of the colour in their hair.

“Um, going now.” Zach smiled, an innocent wide grin, bounced a couple more times then melted into the floor. This day was not my day.