Shadows in the Trees: Book 1

Chapter 9

Rhiannon studied the maps of the continent she had rented from the library, trying to find a way to connect Elohine and Khepri for trade. Currently, to get to Elohine from Khepri, one had to take the Iunu river to the bay, and then to the sea and up the Alcippe. It could be a much shorter trip if it were not for the White Forest blocking the way. Though the forest was just outside the city, the buildings and flat land kept her from being able to see it from the palace. Rhiannon wasn't sure she believed all the mythos surrounding the White Forest; she had never seen Fae, or magic for that matter, though they were rumored to still survive. But she did know that anyone who had ever ventured into the White Forest was never seen again, and that any ships that tried to follow the river in never came out. 

A few years ago, Venira had tried to investigate why, but her team of top scientists from the Library had never returned. None dared go into the forest after that, and so Venira was forced to give up on the venture. But where Venira had failed, Rhiannon was determined to succeed. 

She sighed and unrolled another map, this one with more detailed topography. There were simply no viable waterways to connect the two. The fastest way was a dangerous trek across a desert, and most traders were robbed by the desert tribes or Jentsi before they ever reached their destination. Rhiannon frowned, staring at the vast space in the map. If there is no waterway, she thought, perhaps I can build one. It would be an enormous project taking years, maybe decades, but a canal could be built. Canals were used frequently to irrigate Khepri's arid land, so she would have experienced builders; granted, this would be the biggest canal they had ever built, but it could work. A canal would be faster and easier to protect from bandits. Perfect, she thought, smiling widely. She mused that even King Wilhelm would like this idea.

"Rhiannon! Your bath is ready!" Elysia called from the bathroom.

"Coming!" Rhiannon answered. She rolled up the maps and locked them safely in her desk. She left the lantern she had been using lit and padded to the bathroom.

Her beauty routine was as important to her as her politics. She groomed herself meticulously, and every night, she bathed in warm ass's milk and covered herself in oils after her soak to keep her skin youthful and glowing. She rinsed it all off with water, the final cleanse.

Kala was rinsing her with water when they smelled the smoke. Kala looked to Elysia, who frowned. Rhiannon scanned the bathroom for any candles or lanterns that had fallen, but nothing was amiss.

"Jaida, did you light a fire for our queen for when she goes to bed?" Elysia asked, her voice calm despite her tensed shoulders.

"No, it's summer. Too bloody hot for a fire," Jaida said, her voice strained.

"Get out of the tub, my queen," Kala said. She helped Rhiannon out of the tub and covered her with a robe.

"Kala, come with me," Elysia said. "We'll investigate."

"We shouldn't split up," Jaida said. "We'll all go."

"I am capable of defending myself," Rhiannon said, her natural brown hair dripping water onto the marble floor.

"Fine," Elysia nodded. "On me."

Kala and Elysia led the way. Kala grabbed a hairbrush and Elysia grabbed clippers on their way to the bedroom, while Jaida took up the rear, keeping their queen in between them. Smoke was streaming in under the closed door that led to her chambers. Elysia felt the door to the bedroom with the back of her hand and jerked it back. She gingerly cracked open the door, only to be met with an inferno devouring the entire room.

Elysia shut the door quickly. "Kala, stuff the wet towels under the door. Jaida, get the -- "

The glass windows that overlooked the city shattered, and assassins dressed in black burst through the gauzy curtains brandishing swords.