03- A Sip of Magic by Guy Antibes

Author:Guy Antibes [Antibes, Guy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

~

“Queen Isa,” Pol said. All of the dots were women.

“Kelso, I see I won’t have to rescue you.” She looked at Pol. “Who are you to know my name?”

“We were introduced once some time ago. I didn’t think you would recognize me.”

“Well, I don’t. What foolishness Astor foists upon us all. I only found out tonight that he wanted all of you dead. He didn’t even consult Manda.” She looked at Kelso. “I’m sorry you had to be falsely accused. Astor killed Gartor in a jealous pique. At least he had the sense not to do it in my presence.” She looked up at the ceiling. “The trials he has put me through, playing his stupid little games with Kelso and you Tesnans. And now I no longer have to pretend that Bythia was my daughter, horrid child.”

“She’s dead,” Pol said. His thoughts were jumbled, and he fought to understand what had just happened.

“Of course, she is. Whoever killed her did the world a service. I know the true story, no matter what swill Astor has fed to any of you.” Queen Isa looked at Kelso. “Take me with you. I refuse to live in this castle a moment longer.”

Kelso bowed. “As you wish, My Queen.”

Pol noticed that the women wore serviceable clothes and carried bags.

“But—”

The Queen waved away Horker’s objection before he voiced it.

“Quickly, I have carriages outside. It will be a tight squeeze. A few of my ladies have chosen to remain in this madhouse.”

Pol saw a few women blush and bow their heads.

“We must move quickly,” Shro said. “Please lead the way.”

“No bare blades, if you please,” Queen Isa said.

Horker and Kelso shoved Pol’s weapons at him, now sheathed.

“Follow me, and look as if you are part of my retinue,” she chuckled, “because you now are.”

Pol put his cloak over Kelso’s shoulders. It barely fit, but Kelso wasn’t very presentable after his stint in the dungeon cell.

The Queen stopped and looked at the four of them. “This won’t do. You all look like criminals.” She clapped her hands. “Quickly now, give them dresses and bonnets to wear.”

The wardrobe change happened quickly, and the ladies that were going to stay bowed before Queen Isa and took their leave.

“Slump! Bow your heads! You are all too tall, except for the Shinkyan boy,” Isa said. She crooked her finger and walked purposefully down the hall.”

“Now we can act normal,” Pol said to Horker.

“This? This is normal?” The Captain shook his head and then bowed it again as they walked in the midst of Queen Isa’s entourage.

Pol didn’t mind dressing as a woman to escape. It was a much better outcome than he had envisioned moments before. Val might enjoy the recounting. He looked over at Shro walking next to him.

“Is this more comfortable for you?” Pol whispered.

She hit him in the arm. “I hate dresses.”

Pol had hit a nerve in the Shinkyan. He’d have to remember in the future, if there was a future.

Queen Isa led them to a

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