A Break in Time

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. Or at least that’s what everyone was saying. Although Diamond hadn’t seen it for herself, she figured it was possible, as the Queen was a powerful time-slip mage.

Spotting a trio of city guards heading her way, Diamond wedges her slight frame between two merchant stalls. The colourful silks of the fabric peddler concealed her nicely, and she bites her lip as she waits for them to pass, her toe tapping with impatience. She was eager to get to the brothel and relay the news her Matron had sent her to gather.

She nearly groans out loud when the guardsmen stop at the vendor stall next to her hiding spot. Their sharp laughter causes her to hunker down, her brown eyes peeking out from behind a bright teal and yellow scarf.

“I’ll wager a month’s salary that the witch-queen is dead.” The shortest of the three declares.

“Are you daft, man? Captured is more like it! I bet the King will get a ransom request any day, mark my words!” The two guards exchange a few choice words defending their opinions while the third shakes his head.

“Nah. I saw how unbothered the King was when he got word she was missing from the battlefield. In hiding and healing is what I think. Wants our enemies to think she’s dead. Why else would he look like that?”

The three argue back and forth a while longer before finally moving on. Their words weren’t news to Diamond, as everyone in the city was having similar discussions. What happened to the Queen was on everyone’s mind.

The recent battle with their enemies to the north had been more of a skirmish really and no one anticipated such an end. Their foe had been driven back, but not without the disappearance of their Queen.

Every mage-queen, since as far back as their kingdom’s history went, lead such battles, their magics usually ensuring an easy win. So, what went wrong this time was a cause for great concern, and everyone was talking about it.

Diamond was sick to death of the whole thing. It’s not that she didn’t love their Queen, she did, but everyone just needed to stop yammering about it and actually do something to find her!

She sighs as she slips out of her hiding spot, the fabric merchant cursing when he spots her, and she nimbly eludes his meaty fist before dashing away.

I suppose someone is doing something about finding the Queen, I just don’t have much faith in our King. Her thoughts continue to plague her as she runs, jumps and dodges her way back to the Thirsty Rose, her Matron’s brothel.

The heavy scent of perfume and male sweat, soak the air as she slips into the dim interior. Having grown up in this place, she hardly notices the ribald laughter or forced giggles of the women and their patrons.

No one pays her any heed as she makes her way to the back and her Matron’s room. Issuing three solid raps on the door, Diamond waits for permission to enter.

Instead of the usual warm, come in love, the door cracks open and Tabitha’s lightly freckled face pokes out. “Oy, whatcha want, D? The Matron’s busy right now.”

Diamond frowns. Everyone knows Diamond was the Matron’s ‘bird’, her spy so to speak, and she was rarely denied access to see her. Besides, she didn’t like the condescending tone in Tabitha’s voice.

“She’ll want to see me or more accurately hear the information she asked me to gather,” Diamond sneers, nearly chuckling at the way Tabitha’s pale eyes glare at her.

The two have never been friendly. After Diamond’s ma had died, the Matron had raised Diamond as her own, even paying for tutors to teach her to read and write. Tabitha has always been jealous of their bond, and never let an opportunity go by to show it.

“I was told to keep everyone out, and that’s what I’m going to do,” she hisses.

Diamond’s about to shove past the twit when the Matron’s rich voice interrupts what was sure to be a mini cat fight. “Is that my Diamond? Send her in Tabitha dear. I’m more than eager to hear what she’s discovered.”

With a smug look, Diamond nearly elbows the older girl out of the way as she strides into the familiar, warmly appointed room. What isn’t familiar is the stranger sitting across from the Matron, sipping a dram of whiskey.

Stopping short, Diamond eyes the wheat-haired woman, flashing a concerned look to her Matron. “Who’s this?” she blurts, her manners completely flying out the window.

“Really, Diamond. No need to look so suspicious. Do you think me so daft that I would invite someone I didn’t trust into my chambers?” Her Matron chides, cocking a silver eyebrow.

“No! Of course, not, Matron. I just… I was just surprised.” Diamond feels her cheeks flush pink as the two older women scrutinize her. Hearing Tabitha’s muffled laugh from behind her, just makes her face heat further.

“Diamond, this is Silena, one of the Queen’s advisors. We are both eager to hear what news you have, but first, there is another that will need to be part of this discussion.” The Matron’s green eyes hold a tenseness that Diamond doesn’t remember ever seeing before.

Apprehension grips Diamon’s belly, but she nods. “Of course. Will they be arriving soon?”

Standing, the Matron moves to the ceiling high bookshelves that line the far wall. “Actually, she is already here.” Reaching up high, she pulls forward on a non-descript novel.

Diamond and Tabitha both squeak when a light whooshing noise sounds and the bookshelf slides open, revealing a plain staircase leading down.

Diamond’s mouth is open in shock, and she closes it with a loud snap.

“Come on. Tabitha dear, will you please watch the door?” Without waiting for an answer, the two women start down the staircase.

Regaining her composure, Diamond jerks forward, following the women.

Another richly decorated room greets her astonished eyes. And even more astonishing is the woman sitting on the overstuffed love seat, her golden curls loose about her shoulders. Although she wore no crown, there was no mistaking her.

“Queen, Veya!” Diamond breathes, her eyes blinking rapidly. “You aren’t dead.”

“I should hope not, child. Unless, of course, I’m a spirit and you’re a clairvoyant?” Her kind eyes hold a warm mirth.

Diamond shakes her head in the negative.

“Well good, that means I’m alive. And since I’m alive that means we have a lot of work to do to stop the King. Now, tell us what you found out, sweet girl.”