The Power and the Glory

Book 1 Chapter XVIII: Abihira and Haliran

Haliran did not seem to be the most observant person around. But even she couldn't help noticing when her visitor slumped back in her chair with a gobsmacked expression.

"Your Highness? Are you quite all right?"

Abi blinked until the room came back into focus. "I... Yes. Just a bad headache."

"Shall I get you a headache tablet?"

Haliran sounded perfectly helpful and concerned. Abi agreed without thinking. It was only after Haliran sent a servant to bring her a tablet that Abi remembered what Ilaran had said about her host's fondness for drugging people.

She watched with wide eyes as the servant returned with the tablet and a glass of water. Could she possibly pretend to take the tablet then spit it out? Should she claim her headache had miraculously disappeared?

No. There was no way out of this hole she'd dug for herself except to take the tablet and hope for the best.

Abi tried to reassure herself with, Surely not even Haliran would dare to drug a member of the royal family. It was not as comforting as she hoped.

The tablet tasted just as bitter and unpleasant as painkillers usually did. She grimaced and quickly drank the glass's entire contents.

"Thank you," she said, pasting on a polite smile and praying she hadn't walked right into a trap. Drugs work quickly, don't they? I'll know the truth soon enough.

Five minutes later she was still fully conscious and felt perfectly well. Haliran had gone back to talking about something or other. Abi occasionally "hmm"ed just to make sure her host thought she was still listening. She gave the rest of her attention to trying to communicate with the ghost again.

What is your name?

A dozen voices screamed conflicting answers all at once. This time Abi kept her expression under control. She didn't grimace even when the voices became far too loud.

One at a time, please! she shouted at the ghosts. Why are you still lingering here?

Faintly she heard a few grumbles, as if the ghosts did not appreciate a mere immortal telling them what to do. Too bad for them. She didn't want to end up with a real headache, thank you very much.

A single, rather reedy voice piped up. It sounded like it was right beside her. Abi only just stopped herself jumping away.

I am buried under the door, the voice said. It was a very young voice. Unless she was mistaken it was a small child's. That made her shudder more than anything else.

Indistinct mutters and whispers came from the other ghosts. Abi couldn't catch everything they said. From what she did hear it sounded like the one beside her was the only ghost actually buried here.

--poisoned me-- She burnt my will-- Murderer! --betrayed us, left us there-- Get us out of here! Amidst the angry accusations and pleas she heard someone lament, I'm stuck here and there isn't a drop of good wine in the place.

A high-pitched wail pierced through the commotion. It came from directly behind Abi. She grabbed the arms of the chair to stop herself jumping away from it. When the initial shock wore off she realised what it was.

The cry of a newborn baby.

~~~~

Líusal was waiting to ambush her when Abi returned to the palace.

"Well?" she demanded. "Have you got the pottery?"

The events of the last few hours had not had a very good effect on Abi's temper. She glared at her sister. "Do you never think of anything but your damn collection?"