Lydia's Dance (The Two Moons of Rehnor) Read online

  "I ain't seen the girl," he chuckled, "and a bun or two wun't be enough to fill up a big lad like you."

  "I don't have any more money," I sighed and showed him my empty hands. "Pay day's not until next week."

  "Dun't they pay ye enuff in the ranks, lad? Or ye be wasting it on the street drugs?"

  "No, sir," I said, "but I'm pretty low in the ranks, and I've been wasting it all on cigarette and chocolates along with the occasional beer."

  "How much beer?"

  "Okay, a lot of beer," I snapped. "Have you got an extra bun or not?"

  "Sure, I gots 'em," he replied. "I would be taking 'em to the orphan 'ome. But ye can 'ave one or two fer yerself, seeing that yer out 'ere doing yer civic duty."

  "Thanks Pops," I said wolfing down two of the buns, "and if you see the girl, you be sure to let me know."

  "Right, Coppah," he sighed, "but I can tell you straight up, if she's a good Mishnese girl, and out 'ere on the streets, she's either dead or not so very good anymore." He laughed as if he thought this was hilariously funny. I would like to have left him a coin or at least a few cigs for his help, but I would need them myself to barter more information.

  "I'll be back next week and give you a tenner," I promised.

  "Ach, sure ye will," the old guy called as the door rattled shut. Now, I stood on the street looking up one side and down another trying to determine which direction to go. With no indication of anything at all, I just put one foot in front of another and started walking again.

  Chapter 3

  Countess Renfro

  This had been the most dreadful, the most horrible week in creation. Not only had the King, my husband's cousin three times removed, made that horrific announcement regarding the Princess Lydia's impending nuptials but I had to fire my very best maid. Jenny had doted on me constantly from the first day I brought her aboard, and now I came to discover that she had stolen, not just three of my silver teaspoons but a pearl broach given to me by my own mother-in-law the Dowager Countess. Granted, I never like the bracelet, in fact, I despised it nearly as much as I despised the old witch herself but still what gall this maid had to swipe that which was mine. I paid her well enough and gave her a nice room to sleep in at the top of the house. It was a bit small, I agree, and the room had no windows, but it was very well vented and quite comfortable indeed. Frankly, it was the warmest of rooms during the winter although occasionally when one of the flues began to leak, it might get a tad bit smoky. She could just open the door then, and all that smoke would quickly drift away. No one else was up there so it would bother another soul. It was not bad conditions, I thought, for housing a maid. She was lucky also that we stayed in the cities throughout most of the year so she might visit with her friends and family on Sunday afternoons. I didn't know if she had any relations, but she did disappear at 1 PM every Sunday and then returned but a minute before 5 PM so she must have been visiting with someone. We did holiday for a brief time in Turko every summer as it was necessary to breathe the clean ocean air. It was good for our lungs, the doctors said, and as poor Phylyp had a weak chest and a perpetual sniffle, he most of all needed fresh breathing. From the time Phylyp was nine years old, we brought his best friend the Crown Prince Akan along with us on vacation. Sometimes even, Akan came to stay with us in the city. Those two boys were like peas in a pod, always together and forever scheming about this and that. One year they locked poor Jenny in her room and refused to let her out until nearly the next night. It was a Sunday, and she missed her entire afternoon out. I would have let her have another day, but I had a card party planned for that week, and I really couldn't manage without the assistance of my maid.

  "What shall I do?" I declared to my husband, the Earl, who was sitting in his chair smoking his favorite pipe. The smoke that drifted off was curling in red wisps, so I suspected he was smoking something other than tobacco. He had a glazed and moonstruck expression on his face which further confirmed my suspicions. My husband, though an intelligent and distinguished man had an addictive personality ever since his youth. When not smoking and drinking the acceptable substances, was often experimenting with other more illicit type drugs. He also had an addiction for the pleasures of the body, and when I was young and fetching, took pleasure in this, as well. We coupled every which way and with as many as we desired for we had nothing more to do with ourselves than to enjoy these decadent and delicious diversions. I was now at the age where my interest had waned and seeing my flab encrusted husband stick his appendage in others was no longer entertaining enough for me. Frankly, I should rather curl up with a good book or watch a tearful movie on the vid while tucked snuggly in my bed. A cup of tea from my maid and a tiny drop of brandy was all the entertainment I ever required these days.

  My husband turned his glassy eyes up to me and appeared to ponder my question. "What shall you do, dear Countess? That is a very good question indeed. What should we all do?" He waved his hands as if to encompass the entire world. "Why are we here? What meaning is there for us in this life?"

  "No," I declared, not interested in his theories. "I want to know exactly what to do about a maid. Perhaps there is someone who you might know who has an extra maid to spare?"

  "I will think on it," he replied when the vid above him rang, and our son appeared in the view. He was crying, the poor lamb, as well as Prince Akie who was walking about the room slamming his fist into all the walls.

  "Have you found her yet?" Phylyp cried. "Is she gone from this world?"

  "Now, Phylyp," my husband sighed and breathed in a great deal of this pungent red smoke. "You know I cannot kill her. I am not that sort of man."

  "I'll kill her," Akan screamed. "I'll do whatever it takes."

  "Patience boys," my husband said. "Don't call me. I'll call you." He switched off the vid and then turned his eyes back to me. "I think, my dear Countess, I shall have a new maid for you in a day or two. Can you manage to toilet yourself in the meantime?"

  "It shall be a hardship," I retorted. "Why should it ever take so long?"

  "It will be important," the Earl replied, "that we get exactly the right maid or your son's future with the next king may be seriously in doubt."

  I didn't understand his meaning for in my mind, a maid was a maid and dear Phylyp was securely anchored by Prince Akie's side. I wouldn't let it worry me as it might prompt my face to line, and though I had no interest in enticing any one to my bed, it still assuaged my ego to be desired above all else.

  In two days exactly, a new maid arrived. She was brought in by the Earl's security man with both hands and feet bound. Her hair was badly died into an interesting shade of red and she had a large bruise on her pale young face.

  "What's your name, girl?" I demanded while lying upon my chaise.

  "Li-" she began, but the Earl's man interrupted.

  "Lily," he ordered as if she did not know. "Your name is Lily, girl, and don't say anything else."

  "That's fine, Lily," I said and told her to fetch me some tea. "I should also like some biscuits, and then you may prepare my bath. First, you may go place your things in your room but don't take more than five minutes as I am simply parched beyond belief."

  "I don't have any things," she mumbled and sulked away to the kitchens where the cook lectured her in preparing my tea. She was not a bad maid for the few days she was amongst us. She did well enough with my bath and only rarely spilt my tea. She brushed my hair one hundred strokes and flushed the toilet when I was done and only once did she complain about the smoke in her room. I gave her an old gown from the previous maid Jenny, who had much more of a bust than this girl could ever hope for. It looked nice enough on her, and when Phylyp and Prince Akie came to visit, the Earl proudly called her down so she might curtsey before them.

  Chapter 4

  Loman

  I was back at the Palace after looking for four days. I was starving and on the verge of collapse from lack of sleep. Something was bothering me though, and it had to do with Akan. He
and Phylyp were too happy considering his beloved sister was probably dead. I dosed myself with coffee and ate as much as I could then I hid in the corners of the Big House following those boys where ever they went. On the fifth day of Lydia's disappearance, I saw Farman getting a limo ready.

  "Where are you going?" I asked him quietly while Akan and Phylyp climbed inside.

  "We're off to visit Lord Phylyp's parents, the Renfros, at their townhouse in the city. Care to come, Loman?"

  "I would," I decided and climbed into the front.

  "No," Akan cried, "Loman's not to attend."

  "Why not, Sir?" Farman asked. "Is he not your guard too?"

  "No, I shan't have it," Akan declared. "Loman, you stupid Lightie, get out of this car."

  I climbed from the car, but now I knew something definitely was up. Akan's reaction was far to telling. I ran to my Captain to request a staff car, and after four thousand signatures and twice as many stamps, I finally was issued a small police speeder. When I was Captain of the Guards, I decided as I flew into the city, I would eliminate these signatures and stamps right away. My department would be lean and mean without unnecessary tasks and no princesses like Lydia would ever be lost again.

  I landed before the Earl's townhouse and parked at a meter, but I didn't have any coins, so I had nothing to pay. Just as luck would have it, a city cop arrived and threatened to impound my car if I did not move it immediately.

  "You're kidding me, right?" I cried with disbelief. "Can't you see this is a speeder belonging to the Royal Guard?"

  "Sorry, friend," the cop said. "These are the rules. You either pay for the meter or move your car, or I'll give you a ticket and you can argue before a judge."

  "This is an emergency!" I declared, and my temper got the best of me. Recall that I had been without sleep for nearly five days. I grabbed the cop about the neck and slammed him against the car, and I threatened to break off his head if he delayed me anymore. He coughed and choked and then his lips turned dark blue, so I released his throat and bolted into the Earl's home. The butler at the door stood back in surprise as I rushed into the sitting room crying Lydia's name. I found the Earl along with his wife and Farman sitting on the sofas and sharing a strange pipe. "Where's Lydia?" I demanded.

  "You mean, Lily," the Countess said.

  "Who's Lily?" Farman asked.

  "Who are any of us?" The Earl replied.

  "What are you doing here, Loman?" Farman tried to stand up but tripped on his feet. "The Prince told you not to come."

  "I'm looking for the Princess, and I know you've got her here. It is a royal felony for you to hide her away."

  "I don't know what you're talking about." The stoned Earl smiled. "Are any of us really anywhere or do we just think we are?" There was a pounding at the front door, and the police were yelling "Open up!" So I raced up the nearest stair and then ran from room to room.

  "Lydia!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Lydia, where are you?" When I reached the topmost floor through the clouds of chimney smoke, I saw only one narrow door. As I flew down the hall, I heard the sound of Akan's voice.

  "I'm sorry, dear Lydie," he said. "Now it's really time to say goodbye." Phylyp laughed, and I heard a whimper as I launched my foot and splintered the wood then thrust what remained aside. Akan stood with his knife to Lydia's throat while Phylyp pinned her down upon the narrow bed that filled the room.

  "Get off her," I shouted and thrust Phylyp aside as Akan slashed his knife. Lydia screamed which sent me further into a rage. I pounced on Akan and knocked him to the floor and brought my own knife to his neck. An instant later, I would have cut off his head were it not for Lydia's hand.

  "No Loman," she cried while pulling my arm. "He's my brother above all else. Get off him, please! Let him alone! Have mercy for my sake, Loman." I looked at her while still pinning him down although I snatched his knife away. I shoved it in my sheath along with my own and told Lydia to show me her neck.

  "I'll be alright," she insisted. "It's not much more than a scratch. See, it's already looking much better." The policemen's voices were calling from below as Phylyp raced to the stair.

  "He's here," Phylyp yelled. "The Princesses kidnapper is up here, and he's trying to kill her, come quick!" Akan snickered, and his emerald green eyes flickered with some kind of evil light.

  "Let's run," Lydia gasped, now grabbing my hand. "Come on, Loman, let's go!" I climbed off of Akan, but just for good measure, I punched him twice in the jaw. He cried like a baby and vowed his revenge as Lydia, and I ran out the door. We raced down the fire escape at the back of the building and then I jumped down the very last floor.

  "Jump Lydia," I called, and she leapt into my arms, so I carried her until we were safe. Then, I looked at her neck and saw that it was not much more than a scratch as Akan was really inept with a knife.

  When I finally set her down, we were at the great forest on the northern side of the Palace.

  "Shall we go in?" I asked. "Are you ready to go home?"

  She shook her head and sighed. "One night, Loman, let's stay here one night, just you and me alone. We will make ourselves a fire and hold each other. Tomorrow, we shall go our separate ways."

  "Alright," I agreed and set out to gather wood and I built us a warm and comforting fire. I held her in my arms and slept like I was dead, and when I awoke the next morning she was gone. I returned to the Palace, to my room in the guardhouse where I stripped off my filthy clothes and dirty shoes. I found the lacquered box to replace my mother's knife and unsheathing it, I discovered there were two of the same.

  Chapter 5

  Lydia

  Five days after I returned to the Palace, I stood in a white gown and veil before two kings. At my side stood a man who looked as unhappy as I, although he held my hand dutifully and promised to be my husband. We knelt and then thanked our dear fathers for this privilege of joining with one another to create the future king. We prayed in our own languages to our own respective gods for help with this daunting task ahead. When my prayers were finished, and I finally raised my head, I saw above the altar, the silver angel from my dream. He smiled down and held out his hands, and when I heard his voice, he said not what I expected. He thanked me for what I had done and again thanked me for what I was about to do. I was stunned by his words, and as I left the great hall with my new husband's arm beneath my hand, I was certain everyone who saw me believed it was my new husband that left me in such a state.

  At the door to my suite, Loman stood on guard, and his eyes found mine before we passed through. "Thank you, my dear Loman," I said and let him kiss my hand.

  "I thank you, my dear Princess," he replied, "and I wish you only the best."

  "Will you miss me?" I whispered while my husband looked away, "even a little bit?"

  "Of course, I will," Loman said and leaned down to kiss my cheek. "I have just been given a message although I'm not sure I understand for the messenger seemed not entirely there and he was bathed in silver light."

  "What did the message say?" I gasped as my heart began to race.

  "He said I was not to fear for you for all is as it should be. The orchestra has commenced, the ball has started, and Lydia's first dance is now done. My turn shall come at the change of the seasons as the reason for my being has just begun."

  A preview of

  The Boy who Lit up the Sky

  The Two Moons of Rehnor, Book 1

  Available at all your favorite book and ebook retailers.

  Meri

  "What have you got there?" I asked Sister Moon.

  "A pot of gold," she cackled holding up a little purse and shaking it. It jingled with heavy coins.

  "No," I said reaching for the baby in her arms. "Who is this?"

  "A Karut." She easily relinquished him to me. I peeled back the blanket and looked at the little face.

  "Aren't you pretty?" I stroked the soft cheek. "You're sure he's a Karut? He's so pale."

  "Maybe he's a half-breed," s
he replied, already counting the coins. "So many good Mishnese girls giving themselves to Karut men after poor Lydia was forced to do it. I suspect we'll be getting a lot more just like him."

  "Maybe," I agreed, stroking the baby's tuff of silky black hair. "He's sweet all the same. Does he have a name?"

  "Senya."

  "Senya," I repeated.

  "Now don't you go taking special heart to this little rat," Sister Moon scolded me as she tossed the coins back in the purse. "The same will happen to him as the rest of them."

  "Maybe he'll get adopted by a nice family," I said wistfully. "Look what long eyelashes he has."

  "Nobody will want a Karut," she snorted. "He'll be here with the rest of the nasties until he runs off and gets himself killed on the street. Get yourself back to work now. Put the baby in the baby room and go check the one year olds' buckets."

  "Yes Ma'am." The baby put his little fist in his mouth. "Can I give him a bottle first? He's hungry."

  Sister Moon shrugged. "Be quick about it."

  "Thank you, Ma'am." I curtseyed and hurried the baby to the baby room where I could get a bottle out of the warmer and sit for a moment before I had to dump all the potty buckets. Twice daily I had to circle through the one year olds' room here in the Old Mishnah Orphan Home where twenty babies sat naked in chairs, eating, sleeping and pooping at will. I spent about two minutes with each of them, wiping them hopefully before they broke out in rash, putting ointment on their rashes and hugging them all for just a moment before I must put them back down and move on to the next. By the time they graduated on to the two year old room, they were allowed to wear pants and shirts, sleep on cots and eat at small tables. If they messed their pants for whatever reason, they were sent back to the one year old room for a day which was such a punishment that rarely would they mess again.