Chapter Ten
"Goonads’ chateau was in the valley of Uthefulton,
below Mt. Furyew, where Keori was reputed to live.
She herself was an ugly woman (if you could call her that to begin with)
and she lived in squalor, lucky enough to have servants to tidy for her …"
--The Pasegean Scrolls
"Dearest child, it was the only way. They had to die."
The harsh words permeated through Chunia’s skull, reverberating and echoing as she tried to piece them together. "But why?" she pleaded anxiously for a reasonable response.
Goonads did not answer. Lifting her eyes from the floor, Chunia realised the room was empty. "She didn’t give me an explanation—only a cold-hearted comment." And Chunia knew that she’d never get anything more than that from her aunt.
She stood and wandered into the hall. Clyward stood there, his face terrified. "What is it?" Chunia asked.
Gulping, Clyward looked at her, aghast. "You must get away from her. If you do not, she shall destroy you as well."
"What in Elan—Keori’s name are you babbling about, servant?" Chunia spoke patronisingly. Clyward opened and closed his mouth like a fish, causing an exasperated look to spread across Chunia’s face. Her face tightened, and she pursed her lips. "Tell me now!"
"Uh, well … Goonads is not what she seems … you mustn’t trust her for a second! She’ll stab you in the back the second you let your guard down—she killed everyone close to her so to claim this throne!" Clyward quivered beneath Chunia’s penetrating gaze.
She looked away and spoke softly. "Did she … did she kill Garvin? An-and Lela?"
"Lela? Oh—your mother. Didn’t you …" he trailed off as a silent tear streaked Chunia’s ebony coloured skin. "Oh my … I’m so sorry. If I’d known, I never would have said—"
She flicked the tear away, then blinked away the new ones forming. "Never mind," she said gruffly. "You weren’t to know. My aunt shall pay for the damage she did to my family—and my life."
Clyward looked terrified. "You won’t tell her about me, will you? She’d execute me for sure!"
Her burgundy eyes searched his face for any sign of mockery, but, finding none, changed the subject quickly. "Might you give me some more information? If you do, I’ll promise not to tell Goonads of your part in this and might just throw in a little something extra."
Eyes glimmering, Clyward smiled devilishly. "Something extra? Say 200 dumares?"
Grimacing, Chunia sighed. "Alright—you win. 200 dumares in hand, but I want everything, got it? But remember—if I find out you’ve doubled-crossed me, your life won’t be worth living, okay?"
"Yes, mistress. I will report back to you every three days. Where should we meet?"
Chunia puzzled over her answer. Then an idea sprouted in her mind. "Don’t meet me at all—take one of these." She handed him a small amethyst ball, laughing at his bewildered look. "This will open a small portal which we can speak through very privately as an invisibility spell is contained inside the ball as well."
Clyward was amazed. "This tiny sphere can contain so much magic? It is unbelievable. But I still don’t—" Chunia waved him away as she sensed Goonads’ presence on the stairwell. Taking the hint, Clyward melted into the shadows.
Goonads was startled by Chunia as she neared the landing. "Oh, my dear! I never noticed you there! Why haven’t you been down to dine?"
Swallowing her hatred, Chunia pretended to gasp. "Oh! I didn’t notice the time! I’ll get down there straight away, aunt." Somehow she couldn’t force out that last word without pain in her gut, so she rushed down the stairs, pulling her long black cape along with her.
Goonads gazed after her. "She knows," she thought insipidly. "She knows I killed her parents. Could she have performed a truth ritual?" Shaking her head, Goonads walked down the corridor towards her room, jumping as Clyward emerged from a side stairwell. "What on earth are you up to Clyward? I’m sick of you bringing me wrong information about those idiotic children in Syriana!"
"Horrifically sorry, your highness. But I my services may be useful in the near future."
Exasperatedly, Goonads asked him, "How might you ever be useful to me?"
"I could give you information about your niece and her plans against Sonaro."
"AGAINST SONARO?! What have you heard, Clyward?"
Turning away, he drooped his head. "Unfortunately I too have needs—I must provide for my children."
Goonads pursed her lips angrily. "Tell me now or I’ll kill you on the spot!"
"All I’m asking for, milady, is 250 dumares. A small price to pay for the future of the empire."
Grudgingly, the woman’s blue eyes flashed. "230 dumares, and not a penny more! Happy?"
Clyward smiled, his back to Goonads. "Thankyou, mistress. I am very happy—and shall be very informative."
Copyright 2000 M. Lees
