Riddle Of The Owl - YA Fantasy

Chapter Twenty-One

The table was already set with pallets of starters, exotic shellfish lightly seasoned, tiny pickled meat cuts, stuffed sardines, small bite-sized delicacies Alleria didn't recognise served on soft white bread soaked in olive oil and various spiced and steamed vegetables.

"So that was the famous Maddox Barnel?" Zalee said as Alleria all but collapsed into the chair next to her. The evening had only just begun and yet she felt she was ready to retire for the night.

"Charming fellow," Zalee continued, "No wonder everyone adores him to bits."

Which was to say, Barnel was not popular within the bureaucracy, though he was powerful in a way that mere dislike couldn't hinder. There were stories about him, how he beat the old Scholars at their own political game, how he helped the emperor be a true leader and not a mere figurehead.

"Aye, well, I can't make my own mind about him," Alleria replied.

"By the way. baby, you did well. But everyone's frightened of you now."

As soon as Zalee said those words, Alleria realised it was the truth. According to ceremony, this was when the imperial court fluttered from table to table, sharing food and wine and getting acquainted with the new and upcoming minds of the scholarly world. The other four members of the Paramount were spread out about the Hall each occupying their own table. Brightly dressed nobles and royalty crowded round them, but no one came to speak with her. She sighed, right now, that was fine with her.

Later it would be a problem.

"Survive the present. Later will have to take care of itself."

She shuddered, trying to push back the memory of Cassel. But it was vibrant and golden in her mind, threaded with aching ribbons of sadness. She tapped her finger over the white satin tablecloth before her. How would this evening have looked to her if she had still been a whole person and perfectly intact?

She sensed someone approaching from behind and looked up in time to see Lord Dagen sneaking up to her table. He eased himself into a chair across from her, rolling his eyes at his own table that was still surrounded by people.

"Miss Bellencreek, do you mind if I hide here for a bit?"

Seeing Dagen now was a welcome distraction from the pain that attacked her whenever she allowed her mind to wander. "Won't you be missed, your lordship?" she asked.

"My brother, Samson, is occupying their full attention — for now." He leaned across the table, examining her in a way that was entirely inappropriate. Alleria sank back into her chair, her face flushing.

He didn't seem to care about her discomfort, his expression darkening and his lips pursing together. He pressed his knuckles to his mouth and for a very brief moment, he seemed translucently white, almost glowing. Alleria could have sworn that while her eyes saw only a man sitting before her, something else inside her saw something else besides Salem Dagen.

And whatever it was, it was big, mountainous, making the large hall around it shrink in comparison.

Reacting instinctively, Alleria slipped out from her seat and took several steps back. Dagen shot to his feet, his hand reaching out for her in a gesture that was meant to be reassuring. Aside from being flushed, his face now was normal. Whatever she had just glimpsed was safely hidden away. "I apologise, Miss Bellencreek, I didn't mean to startle you."

She blinked at him in silence. She wanted to ask him what he was. But she couldn't, not here. "Are you my friend?" she whispered the question.

"Yes," he answered immediately. His gaze flashed toward Zalee and back to her. Alleria too looked to see what her escort was doing and was surprised to find Zalee nonchalantly nibbling on a piece of bread.