Fearless as the Dawn Read online

  Aleka knew he spoke of the burgundy linen dress she wore. It was an old dress once owned by Hester Ghilian before she married, and Lady Ghilian had been kind enough to allow Aleka to wear it. She bristled at being called a doll, but could do nothing.

  “Leave it be, Edward,” Lord Ghilian said, shaking his head. “It brings her joy to show off young Aleka’s beauty and talent, and if she dressed in rags, what impression would that leave on our guests?”

  “She’ll give the girl ideas above her station. She needs to remember where she comes from.”

  “I know full well where I come from. Perhaps you need a lesson in remembrance,” Aleka muttered under her breath.

  “I’m afraid I didn’t hear you, girl.” The Admiral took a step closer, putting himself in Aleka’s line of sight. “I do believe you muttered something?”

  The girl at the virginal continued playing, moving seamlessly from one song into another. Aleka needed her to stop so she could resume playing and escape the Admiral.

  “I think you are mistaken, Admiral Ghilian,” Aleka said, keeping her tone as monotonous as possible. “I said nothing.”

  “Best watch your tongue,” the Admiral continued. His blue eyes pierced hers, holding her in a stare down. It would make sense to look away, but Aleka refused to give him the satisfaction of exerting his power over her. He leaned closer, and now Aleka could smell the honeyed wine from dinner on him. He was always more brutish when he’d been at the drink.

  “Edward.” Lord Ghilian cleared his throat. “She said nothing.” Lord Ghilian was nothing if not the keeper of the peace in House Greyhome.

  When the Admiral broke his stare, Aleka felt the muscles in her jaw and hands relax as he moved away from her. She hadn’t even realized she’d tensed them. From across the room, Aleka could see Lady Ghilian making a line for them. Her presence would be a relief.

  “Aleka,” Lady Ghilian said as she came to her side again. “I think we’d like another ballad when Lady Edith is done. One of those delightful Nareroc ones, perhaps? The one about Kunegunda is very pretty.” Aleka almost laughed, because it would make a fourth play through of the ballad.

  “Mother, really, don’t encourage her,” the Admiral sneered.

  Aleka turned, her nostrils flaring and her jaw tightening again. Didn’t his father just call him off? The Admiral continued to stand there, bored, inspecting his fingernails like he couldn’t care less. She hated how he ran hot and cold; equal parts aloof and vicious, as though he lived to make servants miserable. She felt as tense as the strings on her violin. Every nerve in her body told her to say something so he would hear her this time, but she gently bit down on her tongue. The sting served as a reminder that if she dared to speak openly to nobility in an insolent tone, she would be in for a world of hurt. She’d erred once this evening in baiting the Admiral, but if she did so again, Lord Ghilian would not intervene.

  “Edward, dear, what are you talking about?” Lady Ghilian snapped.

  Aleka turned back to her, glad to see the Admiral’s mother flushed a little. Edward Ghilian may be the master of the seas, but Lilah Ghilian was mistress of the house.

  “Do you have something to say regarding my choice of entertainment?”

  “I don’t think you should be acting as a patron for an island urchin. You’re not teaching her very practical skills for her station in life.” The Admiral stopped inspecting his nails and turned to his mother, offering her a smirk before rolling his eyes dismissively. “She’d be better off learning how to cook or scrub chamber pots.”

  “We made a deal with the girl’s mother. She serves as our resident entertainment, in exchange for Mistress Akoni’s indentureship. It is certainly not for you to dictate how I put Aleka to use in my house.”

  The Admiral raised his chin, sneering at his mother. “I am merely saying you treat her like a wind-up music box, letting her act above her station.” He acted as though Aleka wasn’t standing next to him.

  She narrowed her eyes at him, but kept quiet. Aleka knew if she opened her mouth, she would later regret whatever words dripped from her mouth in anger.

  The young lady who had been playing for the assembled guests finally stopped. Polite applause radiated through the room, but it didn’t break the tension in the corner where Aleka stood. The Admiral and Lady Ghilian stared each other down. Lord Ghilian was nearby but did nothing to ease the tension, merely wringing his hands.

  “I believe we owe the girl something, given her unique situation, Edward,” Lady Ghilian hissed.

  Aleka became aware that the guests began turning toward the lady of the house, expecting her to announce the next bit of entertainment. Knowing how important Lady Ghilian’s social standing was, Aleka lifted her violin again. She dragged her bow across the strings, making a horrendous sound like a cat being shoved into a bag. The guests looked away from Lady Ghilian to Aleka now. She plastered a fake smile on her face, putting her bow hand to her chest.

  “There is a full moon tonight,” she said before Lady Ghilian could say anything. “On the Nareroc Islands we believe Ikaia, the god of love, made the full moon so lovers could meet at night. Tonight, Lady Ghilian thinks we should all step outside into her garden and enjoy the light of the moon. I will be playing Tuk Roha, a piece dedicated to Ikaia.”

  Recovering quickly Lady Ghilian clapped her hands. “I thought it would be a special treat. Come, my friends.”

  The assembled guests chattered excitedly as footmen opened doors to give them access to the gardens. Lady Ghilian sighed.

  “Thank you, dear,” she whispered, giving Aleka’s arm a gentle squeeze. She hooked her arm through Lord Ghilian’s and followed her guests out.

  Aleka moved to follow, but the Admiral caught her elbow. His grip was like iron. “You overstep your bounds, Miss Akoni. I don’t care what Lady Ghilian says – your situation does not give you license to act as though you are equal to anyone in attendance here tonight.”

  Aleka tried to pull her arm back, but found the Admiral wasn’t ready to let go. She glared at him and held her head high.

  “I am merely doing as I was instructed by Lady Ghilian. My job is to entertain the guests, and Lady Ghilian’s guests always love a touch of Narerocish exoticism.”

  The Admiral didn’t say anything else, but he finally let her go. She wasted no time in hurrying outside. She was so shaken from the memory of the Admiral’s vise-like grip that she missed a few notes, but the guests didn’t care. They were too absorbed in their own conversations and whims.

  Chapter Two

  The city guard called the hour as Aleka hurried through the darkened streets. “One o’clock and all’s well!”

  The dinner party dragged on until midnight. The Admiral was doted on, Lady Ghilian was congratulated on her successful dinner, and Aleka was released to go to bed, but she didn’t want to go to bed.

  She left the gilded halls, polished silver, and nobility of the Golden Road district behind as she headed toward the docks. The city district of Seafarer’s Way was a far cry from the glamor of Lady Ghilian’s home. The area usually smelled of fish and seawater during the day, but at night, ale, vomit, and urine were added to the mix. It wasn’t the loveliest place in the city of Glenbard, but the docks were home to the tavern called The Battered Traveler.

  Aleka wasn’t supposed to travel beyond Golden Road alone, but she found time once or twice a month to go to The Battered Traveler to make some extra coin with her playing. The tavern catered almost exclusively to sailors, which meant Aleka could get news of the islands and play the sea shanties and traditional Nareroc songs she’d learned in childhood without worrying that she might offend Lord and Lady Ghilian.

  Aleka entered the tavern to find that while the fine people were sleeping on Golden Road, the work-roughened people near the docks were still going strong. A young woman stood on a raised platform singing a lively tune while a man beat a drum behind her and another played a wooden flute. There wasn’t much of a crowd, but those who were
out danced or talked loudly, fighting to be heard over the music and everyone else’s conversations. Aleka could smell spiced fish with a hint of citrus, which was good because it masked the smell of sweat. The candles were already burning low. The Battered Traveler would likely close soon, but Aleka hoped to get in a few songs before they did.

  “As I live and breathe!” A dusky skinned man snaked through the crowds to greet Aleka. His brown eyes took her in and he cocked his eyebrow in a high arch. “Playing for one of Lady Ghilian’s dinner parties?” His accent was thick and almost impossible to understand, but he insisted on speaking the Common tongue.

  “Hello, Taki,” Aleka said and gave the man a hug. “Lady Ghilian threw a fine dinner tonight in honor of her son, the ‘good’ Admiral.”

  Taki kissed her cheek and ruffled her hair. “A drink for the lady?” he asked and bowed to her.

  Taki Yurin had been the captain of the ship that brought Aleka and her mother from Nareroc to Glenbard, and even courted Halia Akoni until she broke it off. She told Taki and Aleka it was because she couldn’t marry a sailor, even a captain. Aleka remained friends with Taki, though. He continually promised to bring Aleka back to Nareroc, but as of yet, neither he nor Aleka had made any actual plans to do so.

  “What will you have, Miss Aleka?” Taki asked.

  “Just water for now, Taki.” She held up her violin case. “But perhaps some wine after I’ve made some coin.”

  “Better go beg Janey to share the stage.” Taki winked and wandered off to get Aleka water.

  Aleka moved through the people, smiling and saying hello as she walked by. Though there were few, everyone wanted to say hello and shout a song request. From her platform, Janey caught sight of Aleka and waved her up. Aleka held up her violin case and showed the other musicians on stage.

  As she stopped at the foot of the stage, the singer, Janey Herron, clasped her hands to her breast, crooning out some Nareroc ballad about love with her eyes closed tightly. She told Aleka she felt the music better that way. Aleka knelt by the raised platform, just enough out of everyone’s way to unpack her violin. When Janey ended her song, Aleka brought her violin up, breaking into a jig. Janey’s eyes snapped open and Aleka winked up at her as she drew her bow along the strings.

  “My fellow battered travelers!” Janey said over the din. “We have a special guest this evening. Straight from Golden Road, Miss Aleka Akoni!”

  Regulars hollered and Aleka turned to face the crowd, never breaking rhythm. People kicked up their heels, taking to the lively music in a frenzy. Janey began to sing in Narerocish and the flutist and drummer picked up the beat behind her, driving the tavern into an ecstasy of dance and music.

  When the music ended, Janey pulled Aleka onto the stage. “Remember, none of that noble nonsense you play up on Golden Road,” she whispered. “Only real music tonight, Aleka.”

  ~*~*~

  In the early morning hours, Aleka’s fingers ached from the night’s playing. She gave her fingers and her strings a rest as Janey recited the Epic of Kunegunda. The poem would take hours to recite in full, so Janey only bothered with what she considered the most exciting parts. Tonight, she shared the tale of how Kunegunda turned back Cesernan’s navy from the shores of the Nareroc Islands. Aleka sat at a table with Taki and listened to Janey, her voice rising and falling with the action of the story.

  “She’s memorized the whole thing,” Taki said admiringly as he took a sip of his ale.

  “No easy feat. I’ve tried, and can only recite the first stanza by memory.” Aleka took a sip of her water. “I wish I knew more. I could recite it for all those women who pass through Lady Ghilian’s parlor.”

  Taki laughed. “I’m sure those ladies would have no interest in our brave queen.”

  Aleka thought of the pregnant woman from that afternoon. “They still view her as a barbarian queen.”

  “Let them think what they want. No use trying to change the mind of the whole world.”

  “Yes, well, they think Cesernan is the height of sophistication, ignoring all the song and dance they took from Nareroc after they conquered the islands.” Aleka’s face felt hot, and not from the heat of performing in a now crowded tavern. Thinking about the young pregnant lady made her blood boil. “I don’t speak ill of their kingdom’s heroes.”

  Taki reached over the tabletop and took her hand. “Smooth your ruffled feathers, dove,” he said, offering a smile. “Don’t call down Paora just because someone besmirched Kunegunda in your presence. He’s a busy god, and isn’t going to smite a Cesernan lady for not knowing her Narerocish history.”

  Aleka laughed. She thought of Paora, the god of vengeance, coming down to lay into the woman. Certainly, gods had better things to do than settle petty feuds.

  “See there? ‘Tis a silly matter. Come, tell us how your mother is doing.”

  Aleka shrugged. “She seems happy enough most days. She rules House Greyhome’s kitchen with an iron fist, which she enjoys. She wants me to travel the world playing the violin, and so she rules my practicing with that same iron fist.”

  “That’s Halia,” Taki laughed. “She only ever wanted the best for you. Those graceful fingers of yours will take you far, Aleka – you’ll see – and it will be your mother’s iron fist to thank.”

  Aleka tapped her fingers on the tabletop, looking at them. Long and slender, they worked the violin like they were born to it. Halia loved to hear her play, and often encouraged her to do so. Aleka knew Taki was right; her mother only pushed her so her life would be better.

  Janey finished her tale and Aleka snapped back to the here and now. She grabbed her violin and returned to the platform to finish out the night with a few more songs.

  ~*~*~

  “You should come around more often,” Janey said, kicking up dirt as she walked.

  The tavern owner had kicked them out for the night, so Janey and Taki walked Aleka back to Golden Road. It was well past three.

  “I’m there often enough,” Aleka said.

  “Hardly,” Janey sniffed. “Listen to how your purse jingles.” The singer gave Aleka’s belt a shake and the sound of clinking coins rang out. “People pay better when they hear your violin, and more people come out. The crowd doubled when the word went out that Aleka Akoni had come. Leave the magistrate and come perform with me.”

  Aleka wanted nothing more than to join Janey and her boys every night, but instead she sighed. “You know I can’t. My mother is indentured to Lord and Lady Ghilian. Sixteen years, Janey. Eight for her, eight for me. It was part of the deal for them paying our passage to come here from Nareroc. If I run off and join you, Mother will be punished.” The whole business left a pit in Aleka’s stomach. In exchange for her education and opportunities in Glenbard, Halia had sold herself to the Greyhome house.

  “I’m sure Halia will let you go,” Taki said. “You’ll be bringing in coin to help pay off her indentureship. You wouldn’t need to abandon your duties in the magistrate’s house.”

  It’s not Mother I’m worried about, Aleka thought. She shook her head. “We work in a city magistrate’s house. It cost them a lot of coin to bring in Mother and educate me.”

  “And your mother has only served five years,” Janey protested. “Are you expected to stay tied to her apron strings for the next eleven years? You’ll be almost thirty when the debt is paid!”

  Aleka wanted to reach over and knock Janey across the mouth. The singer acted like she was the one being put out by the arrangement between Halia and Lord and Lady Ghilian. But instead of violence, Aleka forced a tight smile, though it was likely Janey couldn’t see it in the dark.

  “Go home, Janey,” Aleka said. “We’re on Golden Road, and there’s plenty of guards to see me safely home from here.”

  “Come back tomorrow, Aleka,” Janey pleaded. “Think of the coin you’ll make if you play again.”

  “Goodnight, Janey,” Aleka said. She hugged Janey with one arm and kissed her cheek. “Goodnight, Taki.” She did th
e same for Taki, and in return he kissed her forehead.

  “Come along, you silly girl,” he said to Janey. “I’ll see you safely back to Rogue’s Lane.”

  Aleka continued on alone. The district of the Golden Road was home to temples and nobility. The city magistrates lived in a walled-off area that once served as the King’s castle until the King moved further inland. The castle now served primarily as the magistrates’ court, and the magistrates lived in houses located on the castle grounds.

  The castle gates were closed, but the creaky iron gates opened as Aleka walked up.

  “Evenin’, Miss Akoni,” a dark-skinned man said as she passed through. In the candlelight of the guardhouse Aleka saw him wink. “Out breaking hearts?”

  “Good evening, Jeffrey,” she said. “I was enjoying a bit of music dockside.”

  “Just don’t let Lord or Lady Ghilian catch you out so late. You know they like their servants properly leashed.”

  “Thank you, Jeffrey,” she said with a smile.

  The guard offered her a smile as she moved on.

  Aleka liked Jeffrey. He let her in and out at night with nothing more than a word of warning not to get caught. She knew some of the other guards liked to snitch and make themselves look better in the eyes of the nobility, so she made sure to leave only on the nights Jeffrey manned the gate.

  The castle’s lawn was swathed in shadow and moonlight as Aleka walked under the trees that lined the walkway. She heard the wind rustle the leaves and the click of her boot heels on the stones. The gentle songs of the cicadas singing to each other tempted her to play her violin. On Nareroc it was considered good luck to join the nocturnal song, since cicadas were sacred to Angroa, goddess of luck. But here in Cesernan, Aleka knew if she drew her bow across the strings someone would hear and tell Lady Ghilian she was out late. Besides, she’d already played outside tonight. Surely Angroa would grant her luck enough.

  Aleka entered Lord and Lady Ghilian’s home from the kitchen. Another guard was posted outside the kitchen door, but it was Jeffrey’s son, Francis, and like his father, Francis never said anything about Aleka’s nighttime adventures.