In the Shadows of Dragons, Part 5
A Rare Event of Unvarnished Truth
Layli pulled the door to the infirmary quietly closed behind her. She glanced about the hall in front of her, but saw no sign of Tepet Tulia, and was glad for it. She really didn't want anything to pass between them that could not be waved off. A few soft words to a servant insured that the men would not be disturbed. Near the door was a pair of soft-looking chairs in velvet. One was occupied with several hastily dropped books, therefore Layli lowered herself into the other with unconscious grace. Despite what she said to Bertram, the things she saw and heard tried to piece themselves together in her mind. A protective bird spirit, promises, Nishal, Timri, all part of a larger puzzle. Layli put a fingertip to her lips and softly bit the nail. The great man must have brought something back, holding this large secret probably for some greater good, if all tales of him were to be believed. A people's protector, with one of the people, on whom he fathered Nishal. Yes, that made sense with what she saw. Of course, little else did. Why would the spirit kill Timri, for Layli was now certain that was the case, for Nishal being hurt? And why the specific piercing of a shoulder? For the crippling? Was the child's death merely a message? But then why hadn't it shown itself before? From all Layli understood, Tulia had always been a horror to Nishal, and taught Timri to be so as well.
Layli lifted her finger from her lips and waved it, as if the motion would push away the questions. She probably shouldn't care, but that wasn't the reason. No, she knew she didn't have all the pieces of the puzzle, and she wouldn't ask. If Nishal wanted her thoughts, he would provide the answers anyway, and she was certain he would. Folding long fingered hands in her lap, she settled in to wait. Her eyes drifted, and found the seat of the other chair with its haphazard pile of books. The leather cover of one was etched with the name “Timri”. Perhaps there would be some answers after all.
The journal yielded little in cursory glance. The child had not been one to keep it full. Either that, or she already had understood the need to keep some things not written where prying eyes could find. Most of the other books were school tomes. Layli almost passed all of them over, but one caught her. “Herbs of the Isle and Their Uses” was not an uncommon book…for mortals. It was not normally found among the belongings of nine year old Dragon Blooded.
Layli knew a small incantation that would open a book to the last page read, but Grandmother had always said that one should use all the simple ways first. Layli simply opened the book to the first page it wanted to go to. There was a tiny piece of paper stuck in the binding on this page, marking it. After reading, she closed her eyes and schooled herself to calmness, rage and guilt warring against it.
Losing track of time, Layli didn't know how long she'd sat that way. She didn't even hear the door open. Only the slow awareness of another presence brought her to open her eyes. Looking up from her seat, she saw the form of Cathak Bertram, so like Nishal, save for the eyes. He gave her a thin-lipped smile, dark brown eyes flitting to the book still open in her lap. Slowly, she closed the book and put it back in the pile and rose, trying to give every impression that she had merely taken an idle look. “My condolences, honored one. If you'll excuse me, I would like to say my farewells to your son before you take him home.”
Bertram blinked a couple of times. “He's sleeping now, I think, but you'll have time. He wants to stay and take exams.” Layli could not hold back a smile that mirrored the unexpected touch of pride in Bertram's voice.
“Then I will let him sleep. Is there anything I might help…?”
“You saw it, didn't you?” Bertram cut in.
“I am uncertain of your meaning, honored one.”
“Bertram. And I mean what's in the book. It fell open when I picked it up. Does it mean what I think it means?” He scraped his hand through his hair and sighed when she didn't answer. “Please don't play ignorance, Layli.”
The sudden familiarity of tone took Layli aback for a moment before she nodded shortly once. “In the candy, I think. The dose was wrong.”
“She tried to kill…”
“I ate some of it too, but never noticed. I have precautions against such things.” Layli ran her tongue along her upper teeth. “She tried to kill him, yes, and did not succeed. But…I didn't know. I gave him something later. I think it might have pushed…”
Bertram waved a hand. “I don't think anyone blames you.” He put a special emphasis on the word 'anyone'. Layli knew he was speaking of the bird spirit. She bowed her head slightly and silence fell in the infirmary hallway. The utter quiet lasted long enough to start becoming uncomfortable.
“No one will hear from me.” Layli spoke at last.
Nodding, Bertram replied, eyes suddenly intent on her face, “I believe you, but why?”
Layli considered dodging for a moment, but said, smoothly, “Since the very first day of school, when I was an awkward and clumsy child, he has been my friend. Though he takes what I give him, he has never asked for anything beyond my simple presence, and given more in return. I could tell you stories, but I would rather not. Anyway, one cannot buy the kind of loyalty he has shown me in friendship, and I would be a fool to shove that away, even if I wanted to. I gladly give him my friendship in return.”
Leaning up against the wall, Bertram laid his arm across him with the stump of the other on top, the closest he could accomplish to crossing his arms. He looked off. “He will get old, Layli. You can't see it now, only the difference in power. You tell yourself it doesn't matter, that it will never matter. But your image doesn't change, not quickly, while his will grow older. Then there will be gray in his hair, wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.” The more he spoke, the more Layli became convinced Bertram was no longer really talking about her. “Every day you will be confronted with the fact that no one would ever accept this, and do you fight knowing he will be gone sooner than you'd like and you'll have to answer for it for the rest of your life?” Bertram paused for a moment, then turned his face to her. “This is all assuming your heart doesn't change as your lives take you different places. Either way, you will hurt him and he you. Do you understand?”
Layli let a bit of coolness enter her voice. “I think so, honored one.”
Bertram sighed. “Only a bit of advice, Lady Layli. Forgive my candor. I will have you know he will be well cared for.”
Shaking her own head, Layli relaxed her shoulders. It would not do to put off such a person. “I…thank you for being candid.” She plucked and straightened the sleeves of her dress, smoothed the skirts, buying herself a moment. “I owe you a bit in return. I dare say I may have painted an inaccurate picture of your son, Bertram. He really cares for little beyond himself.” Nishal's laughter at the death of his sister echoed in her memory. ” Me, perhaps. You say he will be well cared for, but I'll tell you he'll not be content with what he is given. He will reach as high as he can, and use who he will to get there and perhaps not see the consequences. We have a way of disregarding mortals until it is too late, and he will gladly be the spot of rot on an apple that grows if not watched.” She closed the space between herself and Bertram with two gliding steps. “You have given him no reason to hate you, but neither have you given him a reason to love you. I want you to see it for what it is, for I do not wish to see him abandoned and I do not wish to see him fall too hard for reaching for the stars. Do you understand?”
“Perhaps I should give him a reason to love me.” Bertram stated.
“What you will.”
“Thank you.” His eyes never left hers as he moved his hand to take hers and raise it to brush it with his lips. A small corner of Layli's mind noted that in a far different world, she might have taken to this man. She shoved the thought away as irrelevant and silly.
“May we meet again under more pleasant circumstances, Bertram.” Stepping away, she bowed her head with a small measure of respect. It was certainly the oddest social encounter Layli could remember.
“I'd like that.” He sounded like he meant it.