“Only one way to find out,” he grinned.
She didn’t believe him – surely Rasmus would have told her about it – but that didn’t stop Sorrow gazing out of the window too. She did feel safer here, though, she realized. No one could get to the castle over land without dealing with guards, and even if someone did manage to row across the lake, the fifteen-foot walls that bordered the island would deter anyone from trying to get into the castle, where they would only face more guards anyway.
Though the entire complex was referred to as “the castle”, it was actually multiple buildings acting as satellites around the main keep, which was home to the royal family. The keep was the oldest liveable part of Castle Adavaria, built as a replica of King Adavere’s castle, which had long since fallen victim to the weather. The rest of the complex was a hotchpotch of buildings: working spaces and chambers, guest quarters, the palaces of nobles who lived at court, servants’ housing, a theatre, and even a small market square, all showcasing centuries of Rhyllian architectural trends: pastel walls, soaring columns, exposed beams.
“All of the buildings are connected by those paths,” Luvian told her with a tour guide’s certainty as she stared at the covered walkways that stretched between the buildings. “Adavaria has the second highest annual rainfall in Rhylla, so it makes sense. There’s even a kind of awning that rolls down to cover it completely, in case the rain falls at an angle. It has windows cut in and everything.”
“Fascinating,” Sorrow said, more sharply than she meant to as she spotted a tall Rhyllian emerging from the main keep. A heartbeat later she saw it wasn’t Rasmus and relaxed slightly. “Sorry,” she said to Luvian when she saw his wounded expression. “I’m anxious to finally get out of this carriage.”
As she said it, the carriage rumbled to a stop alongside a flight of stone steps leading to a small, pastel-blue palace. The doors at the top of the stairs opened at once, and a Rhyllian woman with pale gold hair appeared, resplendent in a purple long coat and carrying a slim folder, tripping down the stairs and opening Sorrow’s door.
“Arventis li Rhylla, Miss Ventaxis. Welcome to Rhylla,” she said in Rhyllian, then Rhannish. “We’re delighted to have you here. My name is Deryn. And you must be Luvian Fen,” Deryn said as Luvian climbed out. “Arventis li Adavaria. Be welcome in our land and home.”
She paused as Dain climbed out. “We weren’t expecting a third person…”
“No, this is Commander Dain, my bodyguard. After an incident in Rhannon we thought it prudent,” Sorrow said.
“I’m not sure we have room…”
“I can sleep on the floor of Miss Ventaxis’s quarters,” Dain said.
“You cannot.” Deryn looked outraged at the mere idea of it. “We won’t have guests on the floors like animals. I’ll see what I can do.”
“You are kind,” Luvian said in Rhyllian.
Deryn appeared slightly mollified by his use of her language. “Yes, well. Shall we?” She led them up the stairs, Dain following silently, into the hallway of the castle. To the right Sorrow could see a cosy parlour, the walls covered in rose-patterned paper, tall vases of the same bloom on the tables dotted between damask-covered chairs and love seats. In the corner stood a small bar, complete with attentive-looking Rhyllian butler, who nodded at them as they passed.
“We call this building the small palace,” Deryn said as she opened a door on the left to reveal a small but well-stocked library, before leading them to a short passageway lined with abstract prints, and up a well-worn staircase to the second floor. “Long ago it was used as the home of the royal children, but Her Majesty’s great-grandmother changed the practice and kept her children with her at the royal palace. It’s been used as guest quarters since, though this is the first time it’s been full.” She gave Dain a concerned look.
The jab was not lost on Sorrow, but she ignored it.
“Who else is here?” Luvian asked.
“Miss Ventaxis’s brother, of course. We have, due to the political situation in Rhannon, allocated Mr Ventaxis and his party rooms in a different part of the castle complex. We thought it best.”
Sorrow wondered whether those quarters were in Vespus’s private palace.
Deryn continued. “The Duke of Meridea and his consort will join us for the Naming and the ball. The Astrian and Nyrssean ambassadors are representing their leaders – sadly the leaders themselves could not attend – and so are staying in their usual accommodations and are, of course, already here.”
“What of Svarta?” Sorrow asked.
“Fain Darcia herself is due to arrive later today, as is the Lady of Skae.” Deryn paused outside a door, then opened it, ushering them in. “As you can see, you have your own sitting room, and your bedrooms are marked for you.” She nodded to the doors on each side of the room. “We hope it’s not an imposition, but – as I said – space is limited so we had hoped to house Fain Darcia in the small palace too. She’s travelling alone, and will have separate quarters.”
Sorrow nodded her acceptance eagerly. She’d never met the Svartan leader, but she’d liked their ambassador very much, and she’d spoken highly of the Svartan fain. Svarta had always intrigued her.
Deryn appeared relieved, and continued. “And Lord Day will be the guest of Ambassador Mira, of course.”
“Charon is coming?” Sorrow’s heart lifted at the idea of seeing him.
“Indeed, though sadly only for the Naming and the ball. Again, the climate in Rhannon made Her Majesty believe it prudent to have a neutral Rhannish presence. Actually –” she turned to Dain “– that gives me an idea. We’ve had to make special arrangements for Lord Day, on account of his chair. Perhaps we can create a similar setup for you.”
Dain shrugged, and Deryn frowned.
“Of course, we heard of the incident two nights ago. Her Majesty wants you to know that the palace compound is very secure,” Deryn said, glancing at Dain from the corner of her eye. “You’ll notice that neither Her Majesty nor the prince consort or princess have bodyguards. That’s how much faith we have in the palace guards, and our other security systems. Castle Adavaria has never been breached, by land nor water.”
Luvian gave Sorrow a knowing look, and she had to refrain from rolling her eyes. There weren’t merrow in the lake.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Sorrow said. “And I have Dain.” Sorrow smiled at the Ward, and her cheeks turned dusky.
“I rather hope you won’t need her,” Deryn replied, and it was Sorrow’s turn to flush as she wondered if she’d insulted her hostess.