L. E. Modesitt - Lady-Protector

For my lady of the opera, who understands too well the true cost of fairy tales

CONTENTS

CHARACTERS

and that I will employ all Talent and skills necessary to do so, at all times, and in all places, so that peace and prosperity may govern this land and her people.

As the words of the ancient oath she had taken as Lady-Protector died awaymaking her the first Lady-Protector since Mykel the Great had created the office of Protector of Lanachrona hundreds of years earlierMykella stood for a moment looking out across the courtyard of the palace in Tempre. She had almost forgotten the remainder of the investiture ceremony. Almost. With only a slight hesitation, she walked down the steps past the bodies of her immediately deceased Uncle Joramyl and cousin Berenyt, their figures sprawled across the stone. Undercommander Areyst followed Mykella closely.

On the left side, at the bottom of the five low and wide stone steps leading up to the main entry of the palace entry, lay the body of Arms-Commander Nephryt who, less than a fraction of a glass before, had tried to cut her down with his saber. One of the Southern Guards had straightened his form and laid him out on his back, facing the palace. Beyond the body, a Southern Guard stood, holding the reins of the gray stallion that had been Joramyls.

Before she mounted the stallion, Mykella turned to Areyst. Have the bodies prepared for a quiet family memorial. There will be no procession and no honors for any of them. She almost added, Traitors do not deserve honors of any sort. She did not. That would have made her look weak before the still-assembled Southern Guards. Have someone guide my sisters to the Lady-Protectors study and provide a guard. I will see you there.

Areyst nodded. Yes, Lady-Protector.

She could sense a certain amusement behind his words but also approval. She couldnt help but wonder what she had forgotten. With her Talent shields still tight about her, she swept the black cloak back over her shoulders, revealing the brilliant blue vest of the heir and the black nightsilk shirt and trousers she almost always wore. Then she mounted, wishing that she were taller and that she didnt have to jump to place her black boot in the stirrup. She wasnt about to ask for a leg up. She never had before, and now that she was the ruler of Lanachrona, she wasnt about to begin.

As she turned the stallion toward the east, before riding to the end of the palace, then north and out of sight to the rear courtyard, she used her Talent to extend her hearing, trying to pick up any words that might bode ill. Over the sound of hooves on the stone pavement that showed no sign of wear, even after thousands of years, she began to hear murmurs.

rides like a guard

never thought the daughter

the one Seltyr looked to fill his britches

Had that been Malaryk, the envoy from Southgate, or one of the local Seltyrs from Tempre? Either way, that suggested problems, not that there wouldnt be scores of them in the days ahead.

Her eyes flicked to the massive oblong structure that was the palace. Not for the first time, she wondered what function it had served in the days of the vanished Alectors who had built it, because the interior was anything but designed for a ruler, even with all the additions, such as the kitchens, made over the years.

After she reached the rear courtyard, she turned the stallion toward the middle rear door to the palace. Two Southern Guards looked blankly from the stallion to her, clearly not expecting the daughter of the former Lord-Protector.

A few things have changed, she said as she reined up. Lord Joramyl was executed for poisoning my father and plotting the death of my brother. So was his son. That left me as Lady-Protector, and the Seltyrs and the Southern Guards have affirmed my succession.

The younger guard swallowed hard. The older and graying guard nodded slowly. We have always served your family, Lady. We will continue to do so.

Mykella could sense the honesty behind the words. Thank you. She dismounted gracefully, handed him the reins, stepped back, then turned toward the door.

she do that? she heard the younger guard say as she opened the door.

She was named after Mykel the Great for good reason, it appears

As she closed the palace door behind her, she certainly hoped so, but put that thought aside as she hurried along the wide interior corridor, following it west, then south, and finally east to reach the central stone staircasewide as it was, the only staircaseto the upper level of the palace. At the base of the steps were two Southern Guards, both older rankers, rather than the interior palace guards she had known. That Areyst had made that change did not surprise her, but the speed with which he had acted did. It also pleased her.

The one on the left inclined his head. Lady-Protector.

Mykella returned the nod and hurried up the stairs. Neither guard spoke again even after she passed them. Another pair of Southern Guards were stationed at the top. She nodded to both and turned to her left. In moments, she had reached her destination. For just a moment, she hesitated. Was it still Sexdi? Her fathers memorial ceremony, just yesterday, seemed far longer than a day ago. She straightened and opened the door.

Chalmyr rose from behind the table-desk in the outer anteroom that guarded the entry to the study that had been her fathers. Lady-Protector.

Mykella almost smiled. Who told you?

Undercommander Areyst sent a Southern Guard to inform me. He has also placed trusted guards in places in the palace.

I know. She didnt mention how shed discovered that. The commander is quite able and very loyal. She paused and looked at Chalmyr. How did you feel about my fathers death and Joramyls efforts to become Lord-Protector?