Reidier

24: Araldia

She was back at Ukarie's once again. 

The overwhelming scent of the loveleaf filled her nostrils and clouded her head. Ukarie had to poke her- several times. They had to move to the 'clean', loveleaf free room to talk, and get ready. 

Ukarie had started talking almost the moment the clean room's door swung closed behind them.

"You're the distraction, and the idea is that you're an important guest from Chaunce. You shall have a partner- someone the Archheir has arranged- and you're going to dine with the Viscount Kiara, and the lovely Viscountess Iridia. Beware of her- she's  a jealous sort, and you have to make an effort to charm her as much as you charm her husband." 

Haide Kiara, Fealtarie Iridia, Araldia repeated to herself, like a mantra. Haide Kiara, Fealtarie Iridia. She mustn't forget. It would be disaster. 

If the pair found that they were not who they claimed to be, then... 

"Who's my partner?" she asked. 

A knock sounded. "Come in," Ukarie yelled. 

The door swung open and he stepped in. 

Araldia couldn't suppress the urge to leap up and slap him. 

"You!" she snarled. 

The tall guard from the other day- the one who'd called Lumis a black dog- rubbed his cheek. 

"Look," he said, but Araldia didn't let him finish. Though he rose nearly a head taller than Araldia- almost as tall as Lumis, in fact- she grabbed his shoulders and shook him vigorously. 

"You.... despicable scum! Why? Did it just amuse you?" 

Ukarie gave her a hard poke to the small of her back. Araldia gave a hiss of pain and let go to rub the now-throbbing spot. 

"Let me explain," the guard said. He wasn't wearing the uniform today. He was just in normal clothes- rough shirt and trousers. 

She glared at him, but with Ukarie and her wickedly sharp nails there, she couldn't attack him again. 

"The Archheir put me and Spud up to it," he said, sighing. "I won't have done it, y'know. I know other people who'll do it, but I wouldn't have." 

Araldia stared, not quite believing. On one hand, it was a thing Reole Quis would have done. On the other, he took too much pleasure in tormenting Lumis for before... and she couldn't tell whether he was telling the truth.

Ukarie put a hand on her shoulder. "He speaks truth. Quis did ask him to do it. Quis has quite a few other helpers, like you- yer nothing special, y'know." 

Her tone was slightly reprimanding, but gentle. 

"Anyhow, Krel here is my best student."  

Araldia frowned. "Student?" 

"Disciple in the art of deception. Acting." 

Yes. Of course. "Does that mean... that was all an act?" 

Krel nodded. "And...you're a great person." 

"What?" 

"I mean... you were real brave, y'know?" 

Araldia decided that she did not hate Krel. She could also see how Krel made such a great student. His features were so common- freckles in all the usual places, across the nose and cheeks, dark brown hair, normal, mud brown eyes. If he was standing in a crowd, she wouldn't have gave him another look. And his face could squish itself into many different expressions, each one unique and natural.