The Savage

Part 3: Chapter Nine: Thrayd

Thrayd felt as if she might go mad. Sitting for weeks now in Steffan's room watching him sleep. How long would he hold on? His breathing having shallowed, the doctor said his time was soon. Yet, still, Steffan clung to life.

"Madam!" Secretary Gawain whispered in desperation poking his head inside the chamber. "He's here!"

"Who's -."

"The old Prince!" shivered Gawain, "he waits for you in your solar."

Thrayd grit her teeth as she stood. It was bound to happen some time. Better now that the girl was gone.

Her solar doors were opened, she watched Syros pace inside as she approached. He was tall, like a Duthaichi making him a full head taller than most Daearian men. His skin was tanned and deeply lined from years living on the road out in the sun. The hair on his head that had once been dark was now light gray and frayed. His eyes, however, were the same brilliant green they had always been. The eyes that he had obviously passed down.

His expression darkened when he saw her. "Madam." He said cooling with a stiff bow.

"Commander." Thrayd replied. "I assume you're here to honor Steffan in his death?"

"Is he dead then?"

"His time is soon." Thrayd replied.

"Where is she? Is she here?" he demanded.

"I'm sure I don't-."

"Don't fuck with me old woman." Syros interrupted. "Are you keeping her in the dungeons?"

Thrayd's mouth shifted into a hard thin line. "She's gone."

Syros crossed the chamber pointing at her face, "Don't lie to me." He snarled.

"Search the palace then!" Thrayd cried, waving her hands in the air.

"Where did you send her?"

"She left on her own accord, in the dead of night."

"And the tutor?"

"With her I assume. It's not as if she left a note." Thrayd snapped.

"You kept this from me. Six months I've been left in the dark."

Thrayd fought a smile. She had done well controlling the court and the Senate for that long. She was very proud.

"She's been here since before the Nameless feast and I was told nothing." Syros went on.

"You might not have known she was here but you've, no doubt, heard of the invasion. You choose to stay in the islands. You choose inaction."

Syros's face was dark and terrifying.

"And what business is it of yours?" Thrayd went on.

"You know very well why it is my business." His voice taking a low, hard tone. "It is my place to help her."

"Your place is leading our army. An army directed by the Senate."

Syros straighted, "We shall see where the Senate directs me now. They will back my rescue campaign."

"We shall see."

Syros began to pace again, "has the Prince returned from his parley with the Khaan?"

Thrayd shifted, he knew too much, "he has."

Syros stopped to stare at her, "You were fool to side with the usurper."