Shadow War - Deborah Chester [97]
“I give you my thanks,” Elandra said slowly. “These are precious gifts indeed. I am honored by your kindness.”
The spokeswoman bowed. “They will never wear. They will never soil, although they may be washed,” she said. “They are to assist thee in thy hour of need.”
During the ordeal of the coronation? Or during something else? Elandra wondered, but she did not ask.
“We ask thee to accept our gifts of protection,” the woman continued. “We are but women. Our weapons are only needle and thread, but what we have we give to thee. To help thee in all that is to come.”
“What is to come?” Elandra asked, feeling suddenly cold.
“The emperor wears his armor, spell-forged by the Choven. The empress wears her armor, sewn by the Mahirans. Alike, and yet not.”
Gratitude flooded Elandra. She smiled. “Your concern honors me. I shall not forget the kindness of the women of Mahira. Thank you.”
The women bowed; then the spokeswoman brought forth a small box of cedar and proffered it. “Then, if we have pleased thee, may it also please thee to accept this final token of our respect.”
The topaz grew suddenly hot, too hot to hold. With a gasp, Elandra dropped it, and the gem went tumbling across the bedclothes like a nugget of fire, flashing brightly in the sunlight.
At the foot of her bed, the Mahiran stood holding the small box and ignored the topaz winking brilliantly atop the coverlet.
Nursing her scorched hand, Elandra took the box and broke its seal. As she opened the wooden lid, a heady fragrance of cedar mingled with roses filled her nostrils. The touch of magic drifted against her face, caressing her cheekbones. With wonder, Elandra took out a small pouch sewn of dark green moire silk, lined with velvet the same color. It had a drawstring top and a long cord of braided silk. Her coat of arms had been embroidered on the side with gold thread.
She knew at once what it was for, and drew in her breath sharply. Forgetting dignity, she crawled forward until she could reach the topaz, then slipped it inside the pouch. It was a perfect fit. Delighted, she closed the top, and slipped the looped cord over her head.
She smiled warmly at the Mahirans, feeling more than a little astonished. “How did you know?”
They smiled back.
“Chiara kula na,” the spokeswoman said softly, with reverence. “You were foretold in our legends. Woman of fire.”
Elandra stared at her, thinking of her destiny and wondering why it had not mentioned any of this. “I was foretold?” she echoed in puzzlement. “But—”
The women bowed, putting their fingertips to their foreheads in obeisance. They retreated, backing away from her with a series of deep bows.
“Wait!” Elandra said, scattering gifts in all directions as she scooted out of the tall bed. “I have questions. Please wait.”
“Chiara kula na,” they said in unison, still bowing.
The double doors opened behind them, and they left.
Elandra stood there in her nightgown, her hair flowing down her back, the green jewel pouch hanging from her neck. She felt she stood at the window of some great understanding, only to have a curtain drawn closed, shutting her out.
Frustrated, she tried to make sense of it even as the Mistress of the Bedchamber peeked inside.
“Majesty?” she said hesitantly. “It is time for the preparations.”
The ladies in waiting poured back into the room, and in moments Elandra was surrounded by eager hands pulling and pushing at her in all directions.
“I shall wear those,” she said sharply as some of them examined the gifts. “The cloak, scarf, and gloves should be put away carefully.”
Her attendants curtsied. “Yes, Majesty.”
Already the hairdresser was knocking for admittance, a woman and her assistants had arrived with jewel cases, and the head seamstress rushed in, wringing her hands with an anxiety that cleared from her face as soon she saw that the Mahirans had not brought a coronation gown that would rival hers.
In an hour, Elandra had bathed and nibbled at a breakfast she found tasteless. She was powdered and dressed. Her fingertips and the soles of her feet were anointed with oil of