Kell's Legend

delivered, and was wondering how well it will fit.”
    They walked, arm in arm, along stone and marble paved walkways, between sculpted stone pillars and under roof-trellises filled with roses and winter honeysuckle. Scents filled the air, and Alloria closed her eyes, wishing she was back with her husband, her king, her lover, her hero. She smiled, picturing his smile, feeling his hands on her body. She shivered, then, as a ghost walked over her grave.
    “What’s the matter?”
    “Nothing. I am just thinking of Leanoric. I miss him.”
    “He is a fine husband,” said Mary. “Such strength! One day, perhaps, I will find such a man.”
    “Erran has been watching you, I think.”
    “My lady!” Mary blushed furiously and lowered her eyes. “I fear you are mistaken.”
    “Not so. I have seen him watching you, watching the way you walk, the sway of your hips, the rising of your breast when you have run an errand. I think he is in love.”
    Erran was the Captain of the Guard at the Autumn Palace, thirty-two years old, single, muscular, attractive in a dark, flashing way. He was gallant, noble, and one of the finest swordsmen in Leanoric’s Legions; hence his placement of trust in protecting Queen Alloria.
    “You jest,” Mary said, eventually.
    “Come, let us ask him!”
    “No, Alloria!” gasped Mary, and Alloria let out a giggle, breaking away from the younger woman and running up a flight of marble steps. At the summit twoguards stood to attention carrying long spears tipped by savage barbs. They stared, eyes ahead, as Alloria approached and swept between them, skirts hissing over inlaid gems in the gold-banded floor.
    “Erran! Erran!”
    He arrived in a few heartbeats, at a run, hand on sword-hilt. “Yes, my queen?”
    “Do not worry, there is no alarm. I have a simple question for you.”
    Mary arrived, panting a little, and Alloria saw Erran’s eyes drift longingly over Mary, then flicker back to her face, a question in his eyes, a sense of duty restored. “I will do my best, my queen.”
    “No,” whispered Mary.
    “I wondered if you’d found replacement guards for the two men taken sick last week? It leaves us with a force of only eighteen in the palace grounds.”
    “Word has been sent to the nearest town, my queen. Replacements are riding even as we speak from the local garrison. I have the captain’s personal guarantee that he sent two of his finest men.”
    “Good! When will they arrive?”
    “Later this evening, I believe,” said Erran, with a smile of reassurance. “Have faith in those who serve you, my queen.”
    “I do, Erran. I do.” Her smile was dazzling and she moved towards her chambers beneath arches of alabaster, steel and marble. Behind, the bloated shimmering sun was sinking over the horizon, and near-horizontal beams cast a rich ruby ambience throughout the Autumn Palace. Mary followed, a hand on Alloria’s arm, her face flushed red.
    Erran stood stiffly to attention. “My queen,” he said.
    “Oh, one more thing.” She turned, suddenly. “Mary here is feeling a little flushed, a little tired. I wondered if you might walk with her, out in the gardens? Give her maybe an hour of your time? She would greatly appreciate it.”
    “I would…be honoured, my queen. But I am on duty.”
    “I am taking you off duty.”
    Erran gave a crooked smile. “And who would do my job whilst I walk in the gardens?”
    “Oh hush, there are guards everywhere, man, and I am but a few heartbeats away. I have lungs, do I not? And I was trained by Elias, Leanoric’s Sword-Champion. I am not as fragile as many people assume.” She grinned, her eyes twinkling. “I could beat you, I’d wager.”
    Erran smiled broadly. “I know this, my queen,” he said. “I have seen you best three of my men with a blade. The humiliation stung my pride like a horsewhip! But-”
    “No buts. This is a direct order,” said the queen. “And I would hate to inform Leanoric you disobeyed a direct order.”
    Erran snapped a salute. “As you wish, Queen Alloria.” He turned, and smiled at Mary, who seemed suddenly incapable of speech. “If you would like to follow me, my lady? I will escort you for fresh air.”
    Mary nodded, threw a scowl at Alloria, and departed, her silk slippers silent on marble steps.
    Alone now, Alloria entered her chambers and closed the doors. She loved to be alone, withoutguards or hand-maidens, without servants or lackeys. She knew attendance came with her position, and