The Return of the Dragonhawk

Chapter 24 -- The Captive Goddess

"Akyna, the Vacina Calchis is here."

Rhoz sat up, torn from between sleeping and waking. She had been lying on her bed, brooding, and had not heard anyone come in. She sat up. "Brush my hair," she instructed through dry lips.

The maid smiled faintly. "I do not believe the Vacinatrix will wait that long."

The Vacinatrix swept through the doorway to Rhoz' bedside, staring down at her with no trace of tenderness in her frosty eyes.

"You summoned me?" she asked with barely concealed venom.

"Please remove the spell," Rhoz said, much more diffidently than she had intended.

"You are too impulsive."

"You have no right to hold me here."

The Vacinatrix' back remained ramrod straight. "There is much at stake. More than you could fathom."

"Then try me! Argue with me if you must! But do not treat me like a mindless pawn. I might as well be in Muktar's nursery."

"Your escort has arrived with your formal robes," the Vacina Calchis said. "They will be brought to you within the hour." She looked significantly at Rhoz's dusty clothes. "I will have your bath drawn immediately and send someone to arrange your hair in the manner of our people."

She turned towards the door.

"No!" Rhoz called after her. "No! I will not go to your accursed banquet!"

The Vacinatrix turned and favoured her with a frozen stare. "You must. It is essential to the alliance."

"What will you do to me? Bespell me further?"

"This is no time to be acting like a spoiled infant. The future of the nation depends on you."

"That is exactly what Mother told me before I was bargained away to the Leopard Man," Rhoz screamed at the Vacinatrix' retreating back. "I will not -- I will not be used that way again!" 

 She fell onto the bed and curled herself into a ball. When the maid came to her bedside to inform her that her bath was ready, she neither moved nor answered. Later, after a flurry of discussion near the door of the chamber, a sharp voice informed her that her robes and jewels had arrived, and she must begin preparations immediately. She scrunched her eyes more tightly closed. Imperceptibly, the light mellowed to evening hues, but despite her fatigue, she could not sleep.

My dear Rhoz.

Utor. She could sense his tall form standing beside the bed.

"Go away."

She felt his weight settle on the bed beside her. She opened her eyes in time to see him light the dozen candles in her chamber with a wave of his hand.

"Helion's finest warriors and mages have come to bring you home." he said, looking down at her. "They are waiting to catch their first glimpse of the new incarnation of the Great Mistress."

"Can you free me of the spell that holds me prisoner here?" she demanded.

He shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly. "I doubt it."

She sat up, her eyes snapping. "Liar! You held the bitch immobile in the council chamber!"

"We are closer to her land now, and she is no longer alone," he said. "In any case, it would not be wise to oppose her. She is your guardian, after all."

"What is she holding over your head?"

Utor stood up to adjust one of the candlesticks. "If I do not uphold her judgement, she will not allow me into Helion."