59 Shadows of Many Colors (2/2)

Together they made their way back to the Garden. Esti ran off to find Porras and Usoa passed through the space, further back to where her brother lodged. He had been moved out of the Garden proper years prior when the maids began to describe him as handsome.

She entered his rooms without knocking. He sat in front of a window, reading a book. ”Your hair is uncovered,” he said as she sat on a floor cushion.

The shadow-wielder ate my scarf, she explained.

”Tell me,” he demanded, his eyes greedy. She went over what had happened during the greetings. The discovery of the guards, the show with the snake and the bird.

”A hawk,”Ochoa interjected.

She pulled her eyebrows together, confused.

”The bird, I bet it was a hawk. Did it have a sharp beak and talons?”

She nodded. It was very beautiful, she explained.

”You know, back, a long time ago, the snake used to be a symbol for our lands. If you go to the old parts of the palace you can still see it int the tiles. There was a myth about a great snake that ate the darkness, whose scales shed light as it passed creating our realm and the people in it. I wonder ifthis shadow-wielder knew that when he chose his show.”

She shrugged. It is not that way anymore, don't read too much into things.

”Maybe. What was the prince like? Did he charm our little sister?”

He was fine, there was nothing much to speak of. A prince like any other prince, she explained.

Above her Ochoa looked hurt, ”Do you think so little of me?”

She giggled and shook her head. You know what I mean, it was like Edur or one of those other men from outside that come to court Porras. So sure and full of themselves.

”Well, you'll marry your own man like them one day Usoa,you should get used to it now.”

She shook her head, I'll never marry. I'm to serve Esti, the Sorgia just like that other girl who came here will never marry so that she can serve theCainen and together we keep the balance, and all the Realms in order. Her movements betrayed her bitterness.

”Don't be like that. Maids can get married too,” he teased.

Ochoa's door opened and Izar tumbled in, the girl bubbling with excitement.

”Izar, knock! You're entering the quarters of a man!” Ochoa scolded less gently than Usoa had previously.

There was no effect on the child, her face twisted into a smile, ”But you're my brother!”

”Yes, your much older and more private brother,” he scolded again.

Her small shoulders rose and fell, dismissing his words before turning to Usoa on the floor. ”Papa wants you to serve the shadow-wielder his evening tea as a thank you for his performance.”

Porras would be better, she complained.

Izar shook her head, ”Papa said it should be you and not to let you pass it off on any of your sisters.”

Usoa growled to herself. The duty usually fell to Porras as the oldest and prettiest among them. To be served by one of the Garden's flowers, as they called the daughters and wives of the Emperor, was considered a great honor. She and Esti were usually spared as their silence made them poor company for those who could not read their hands.

”Can he understand your way of speaking?” Ochoa asked.

This time Usoa shrugged. She knew they traveled with darktellers but how much they communicated with them or how was a mystery.

Ochoa smirked, ”Better grab a board then, chalky.”

This is becoming worse and worse, she thought as she followed Izar from the room. At least I'll be able to ask for my scarf back.