I’ll be posting a chapter from my book series: Solen Masters. This is a Paid Exclusive for a month in certain places until it’s posted here, before I release it to a Selection of Fiction Sharing sites, such as Scribblehub and Royal Road. Most Chapters for each book will at some point be mostly removed from almost all places.
If you spot a typo, please let me know, so I can correct it before the final release.
Lana sat in the dim room that was the Head Maid Bedroom. The Mirror showed her reflection, showing her dressed for bed. Sunset had been hours ago, and she had been told that “her boss” was out.
There was a knock at the door.
“Svetlana? Are you here?” a woman’s voice call out. It sound liked like Annalies Santana. Last time she checked she was out, Lana saw her at the Inn.
Lana stood up and open the door, and Annalies stepped though the door.
“Ma’am?” Lana said.
Annalies sat on the bed, “Shut the Door. I’m not here.”
Lana closed the door, and then sat on the bed next to Annalies. Lana said, “I take it something has happened.”
Annalies nodded, “The King of Bethstuda was killed. Some said that Lady Tatiana murdered him before killing herself.”
“I had heard something along those lines. But as I’ve usually said, Hear all, trust nothing.”
“Good. I saw their bodies, and I seriously doubt that she stabbed herself on her heart, then be able to throw away the knife or dagger. The Guards couldn’t find the weapon, but then I seriously doubt they where in more of clean up than actual working who did what.”
Lana sighed, “Figures. Some of the guards are more interested in lining their pocket than their sworn duties. A few nights ago, Lord Gast had asked me to count a bag of coins in front of him. I think he was looking for some reason to get rid of me. I counted out 50 gold crowns, and he was expecting that there was 50 in the bag. He told me it was spending money.”
“That seems a little too much, a gold coin is about a week in that room he chose in that Inn,” Annalies said.
“I know. I managed to place a Solen marker on a few of the coins. It seems that they’re been spread out to a few guardsmen who was also seemed to be at that Inn most of the night,” Lana said.
“Wait, that Vedran girl in Red, was it you?”
“You could say that..” Lana said.
Annalies sighed, “Thought you might’ve said that. You like playing things close to your chest. Still, talking about markers, your friend left one on Taithin Eston. It makes it easier to for me to do my work. But why him?”
“Why Taithin Eston? He is somewhat of insurance for a few things. Some say he’s the spare to an heir that almost no one knows about,” Lana smiled.
“No, really who is he?”
“Taithin Rafaelatan-Arlyne Eston, the only child of House Eston prostitute, Rafaela Arlyne. She passed away soon after giving birth. His father is unknown, officially.”
“I have a feeling you know who his father is?”
Lana whispered in to Annalies’ ear, “The then Prince Ayduin Latione the Third.”
“As in the late King?”
“Apparently so. Taithin was raised by House Eston. This is also the case for, erm, his traveling companion, a young woman by the name of Laliea Yasmitan Carla Eston. She usually goes by Laliea Carla. Like Taithin, she is also a Human-Vedran Cross, with her Vedran side more prominent that, Taithin’s Elf ancestry.”
Annalies sighed, “While I’ve been tracking Taithin, and she almost always next to him. Not exactly easy to make contact with Laliea not giving him alone time. But how does she get all that coin?”
“Yasmin Carla Eston is Nina Eston’s Cousin, and both Yasmin and her daughter, Laliea, would be about 20th in line to become House Matriarch. But that could change considering many of the women ahead of them can become pregnant. As far I can tell, Laliea has got some veto power within Vedran House political circles, without her taking on an role within the running the house,” Lana explained,.
“You said that she was Human-Vedran Cross, doesn’t that affect her standing within the house?”
“Normally, it would. Both Yasmin and Laliea are unable inherit the Matriarch role offically, but they can have a say in how the house is ran,” Lana said.
“Well, I’m not sure if the Matriarch knows what Laliea spending her coin on….” Annalies sighed.
“I’ve been hearing a few things about their spending habits, but I’m unable to get any confirmation about it,” Lana said.
“Well, the first time I saw Laliea via my powers, she was in bed with a Drow elf girl. I can’t remember which one. That was until they both invited Taithin into the bed,” Annalies fanned her face, “Let’s just say it was very enjoyable evening for all involved, even if I didn’t gain any real actionable intel.”
“That would be Tabitha Solanea Eston, her twin sister is Samantha. From what we can find out, Samantha has been seen unsuccessful in trying to date another woman from the House,” Lana expanded.
“Well, it appears that Laliea was very interested in the younger women at the inn they visited on the trip. The hands in the underwear of your new friend, type of interested..”
“Ah, I see. Well, Erika and I don’t mind having a someone sneak in to my bed room at night,” Lana lifted her night dress.
Annalies shook her head, “No. I’m not here, not in this bedroom, not in the house. I’m not even on the estate.”
Annalies unbuttoned her blouse. Instead of her body and breast, Annalies upper body looked like someone had carved it out of wood.
“Remember what I said: I’m not here. I am actually in the Inn, in the adjacent room to Lord Gasts own. This body or doll you see, is being pulled around with what I call Solen wires,” Annalies said.
Lana looked around, she could bare see the wires with her Solen enhanced sight, “If I didn’t know if they were there, I’d not see those wires.”
Annalies smiled, “Thanks, I had years of practice with an old Solen Master. But this Doll isn’t the only thing I can pull at this range. Don’t panic, but I need your help in another demonstration.”
Lana felt like someone invisible push her down on to the bed, and any attempt to resist pull herself back up, resulting in her being forced down harder.
“As you can see, it’s not just my puppets I could control. You could break out if you wanted, and I can’t control what you say.”
Lana felt the force disappear.
“I may need a marker nearby to use my powers outside of my sightline. This wooden body contains one, as well the one your friend left on Mr Eston. For some reason your room on the estate is the only one that really blocks me. It’s like you warded it, and the only way pass is the moving the marker to inside.”
Lana said, “I’d rather not let anyone see what I’m doing in here, especially under the enemies nose.”
“I can appreciate the need, I’d rather keep a few secrets to myself as well,” Annalies said, just before she dissolved in to thin air.
Lana sighed, “With no news, I’ll have to assume that it’s all well at the Palace, Lily.”