Ellie bit her fingernails as she looked both ways down the intersection of hallways. She knew Jeni had her rooms down here but forgot which way they were. Her Master was placing great trust in her, and she did not want to let him down.

For the first time in her life she was doing more than carrying drinks or pleasing men. Although he made her feel confused, Tayan was also making her feel very important. He hadnat had anyone watch her to ensure she got from Spring Valley to here, and now he was trusting her with some great secret. No slave she ever knew of had carried so much responsibility. In fact, not many free men were allowed to act completely on their own as she was doing now. Her heady feeling of pride, however, was tempered by the seriousness of her task. With so much depending on her, she feared to make a decision that might lead to failure.

From the left, Jeni burst into the hall to come stomping toward her. She was wearing a long white silk gown and looked very angry. That B-elf came out of the room and chased her down the hall.

He grabbed her by the arm and turned her around. aWill you be reasonable!a he shouted.

Jeni flung his arm off. aJust leave me alone!a She took three steps then stopped to glare at Ellie.

aWhat do you want!a she snapped. In her eyes, tears were beginning to form.

Facing her anger, Ellie began to knot her fingers up. She wasnat used to standing in front of angry people--usually she was on her knees, her head to the floor. Resisting the urge to drop down, she said softly, aLord Tayan said you had something for him.a aI thought he didnat care,a Jeni stated with a quivering lip.

Glancing at the elf lord, Ellie knew she could not talk in front of him. aHe said no one can know.a Belenaris stepped up to her. aNo one can know what?a he demanded.

Jeni ignored him. Her face softened as she looked at Ellie. aHe is going to help them?a She didnat know if that was right or not, but it sounded right.

aYes, Malady.a She recoiled as the elf lord slapped her shoulder.

aTell me what is going on, slave!a he barked.

It was all she could do to stay on her feet. She was getting up the nerve to tell him he wasnat her Master when Jeni planted her hands on his chest and gave him a shove that pushed him into the wall.

aLeave her alone!a she growled.

Belinaris became red-faced. aHow dare you! I demand to know what this is about.a aDemand?a Jeni screeched. aYou demand nothing from me! You are nothing to me!a She yelled at the top of her voice. Throwing an arm out to point down the hall, she accidentally bumped Ellie in the nose. aIf you want to escort me to the dukeas palace then go get in the damn coach. If not then just go away!a Belenaris drew himself up with all the dignity he could muster. aMy lady, you may come to regret this.a He gave Ellie a mean glare then stormed off around the corner.

Jeni took a couple of breaths to calm herself then indicated Ellie should follow her. aCome, I have the scroll Tayan needs.a Neither of them saw Belinaris poke his head back around the corner.

The night was not going very well for Amber. She had been held back by Sisters and Brothers who had somehow gotten the fantastic notion that she was connected directly to Leighna. She told them over and over that all Sisters and Brothers held equal places in Leighnaas eyes, but they still looked at her like she carried holy words of wisdom. By the time she got away from them, Tayan had left without her. She had to ride with Jeni and Belenaris, which was tense, to say the least. Neither spoke at all, and by the looks of them any words just might start a fight that would end up drawing blood.

Arriving at the palace, she entered the reception hall but could not get near Tayan until after dinner. She suffered through sitting with the other holy people, watching him from across the room as he talked with the nobles, including the new duke in Spring Valley. Here, as in the courtyard at Lady Salinthiaas, Brothers and Sisters eyed her with awe. It was enough to make her want to scream and rip her hair out.

During the social hour after dinner, when she finally did get next to Tayan, he acted like he barely knew her. It wasnat until a few people reminded him she had saved him that he paid her more mind than he did the servants.

She didnat like Duke Kahn one bit. Just looking at him made her skin crawl. A few times she tried to raise her talisman of Leighna and check him for evil, but each time Tayan spotted her and told her it wasnat polite. She put up with Duke Kahnas presence for what seemed like hours, until they made their way back to the coach.

Amber climbed in, still feeling her skin twitching from the duke. She settled in her seat and waited until Tayan was in and the door was shut before she voiced her opinion.

aI do not trust Duke Kahn,a she stated. aIf he isn't evil then I am.a Tayan eyed her from his corner of the seat. aIt's a shame to say, but being evil is not against the law. Unless he does something, he has to be treated with respect.a aDo you believe he truly wants the best for this kingdom?a she asked.

aHe has come to pledge his allegiance to King Gunthar and reaffirm his cityas support in the kingdom. This is not an action of a hostile man,a Tayan explained crisply. aHe will do nothing to cause the king to doubt him, at least until he gets settled into his own city. Weave nothing to fear from him.a aDonat even say you trust him,a she warned.

aThe only people I trust right now are in this coach,a he said sternly. aI only mean that we will be on our way west before he can get his own plans in order.a He knew more about the dealings of royalty than she did, so she didnat push her point. Shifting her gaze to look out the window, she noted they were outside the gates and yet the oppressive bad feelings were still with her. She waited for him to clasp her hand or give her one of the many signs of affection he never realized he was doing. The fact he didnat showed he was more preoccupied with Duke Kahn than he was telling her. This made her angry, for she had thought by now they could share anything between them.

Amber stepped out of the coach to find the courtyard filled with people. Guards were everywhere, talking to men and women with pale faces. On the stairs, a maid sat crying miserably, another was leaning over the stone rail, vomiting. As she took this in, a Sister ran towards her, her face running with tears.

aSister Amber,a the woman cried, awe need you inside. Lord Tayanas slave has been attacked.a aEllie?a she gasped. Who would want to hurt Ellie? She ran past the crying Sister and followed the trail of fingers pointing the way.

The scene she walked in on was one straight from the abyss. Guards stationed around the room were trying to keep from looking at the group of women whoad gathered behind Tayanas desk. The top had been swept clear, the contents scattered to the floor on one side. It looked like someone had tried to mop it with ink. Looking closer she saw it was not ink but dark blood.

On this side, a green object that looked like a tiny tree stump lay. It took her a few seconds to realize it was a hand. Parts of the missing fingers lay scattered around it. Bile rose in her throat.

She gripped her talisman and squeezed her eyes shut.

aDear Leighna, give me strength,a she whispered then girded herself to walk behind the desk to help save the poor girl.

Being with the Company, shead seen and healed deep wounds, bad burns and rough bite marks. She thought she knew everything that could possibly be done to a body.

She was wrong.

The girlas swollen eyes were partially open, and blood was caked around her nose and mouth. Where bandages made of towels werenat covering her, raw muscle showed. Half her left breast lay towards the center of her chest, and her stomach yawned in an eye-shaped wound exposing her internal organs.

Around her, crying, pale-faced women worked to try to piece her back together. One sat holding two swaths of green skin, muttering that she didnat know where they went. It was hard to believe this mess was Ellie.

Amber disconnected herself from the scene. Feeling as if she were looking through someone elseas eyes, she knelt down and laid her talisman on Ellieas chest as she began to pray for her life and soul. The women did what they could to put the torn up body back together and cover her in bandages. Amber kept praying, holding Leighnaas light to the girlas chest as a stretcher was brought in and the limp, mangled body was carefully placed on it. By the time they reached the stairs, Amber felt that Leighna had done all that was possible for poor Ellie. She was still alive, but in her condition, Amber wasnat sure if that was a blessing or not.

She stayed beside her as Ellie was taken to her room and laid on the bed. Two guards came and bracketed the door. A knight stood just inside, watching Amber as she continued to pray. At the first jerky movements from Ellie, Amber stopped to see if she was waking up or dying. Ellie opened her eyes to stare at the ceiling. Her shallow breaths came in whining rasps as she quaked in pain.

The knight came over and stood by Ellieas head. aSlave, can you speak?a Amber shot him a glare. aHer name is Ellie!a In a blubbering voice, Ellie cried, aI will not betray my Master.a They both looked at her. aEllie,a the knight said, awho did this?a aI will not betray my Master,a she whimpered again.

aSheas in shock,a Amber told him.

He answered with an even stare. aI can see that. Try to get her out of it--we have to find out who did this to her.a aItas a miracle sheas alive,a Amber protested.

aI will not betray my Master,a Ellie blubbered again. Every few seconds, she kept repeating her determination not to betray her Master.

The knight placed his helmet on the bedside table and sat down on the other side of the bed. aSister, you have done a remarkable job keeping her alive. I am asking you to help me do my job, and find out who is responsible.a Waving a hand at Ellie, he added. aCruelty like this is punishable by death, even if her own Master did it. I am begging you, please, help me bring those responsible to justice.a Amber sighed and looked at Ellie, who was still muttering that she would never betray her Master. It tore her heart in half to see anyone like this.

aI do nothing. Leighna saved her, it was by her will that Ellie lives.a aPerhaps her will may also be to let us know who the scoundrel is who did this,a he prodded.

Amber looked up at him and considered it. aIall do what I can.a Sliding up to hold Ellieas face in her hands, she silently prayed to Leighna to help her as she gazed into the blank stare.

aEllie, itas me, Sister Amber. You are safe now.a aI will not betray my Master,a Ellie choked then coughed up a tooth with the blood that came out.

Focusing on her eyes, Amber kept up her smooth, soothing tone and tried to make Ellie understand she was no longer being tortured. After a while, Ellie stopped her chant and her eyes locked on Amberas. Her mouth worked up and down a few times then she got out, aSister, I did not betray my Master.a aOf course, you didnat,a Amber said gently, stroking the side of her head. aEllie, who did this to you?a Ellie jerked and winced in pain. She said in a breathless voice, aTwo elven men came in. They wanted...a She shifted her eyes towards the knight. a...the thing I had for my Master. I hid it, and no matter what they did to me, they couldnat make me tell where it was.a aWhat was this thing you had?a the knight asked.

Tonelessly, Ellie replied, aI will not betray my Master.a aDear Leighna,a Amber whispered. She felt sick. Ellie had nearly been tortured to death for a lousy donation to the army. Since Tayan had told her it was vital, she had refused to tell them where it was even to save her own life. No matter how much money was involved, it wasnat worth this agony. Her hands went to her mouth--she was sure her dinner was coming back up.

aEllie,a the knight said firmly, adid you hear any names?a "No."

aHow about their clothes, did you see any markings? A crest or insignia perhaps?a he asked hopefully.

Her eyes started to drift shut. She forced them open with what looked to be an enormous effort. aYes, one had one of those shield things on his shirt.a Digging into his pocket, the knight produced a piece of parchment and a lead pencil. Coaxing her along, he drew what details she remembered seeing. By the time he had sketched a nearly compete coat-of-arms, Ellie was ready to pass out.

aI think that is enough for now,a Amber told him. aShe needs rest.a The knight nodded in agreement. aIall be by in a day or two to see if she remembers anything else. Keep guards on her door. If the ones who did this are still around they may try to silence her.a aWe will,a Amber assured him. She walked him to the door then returned to Ellie, who was still forcing herself to stay awake. Sitting down, Amber gently caressed her face. aAll the questions are over. You can get some rest now.a Ellie looked at her pleadingly. aYou are loyal to Master, right?a aYes, Ellie, get some sleep.a Ellie lifted her eyes. aTell Master to put on his green pants in the morning, the ones with the narrow gold stripe.a aI think he can dress himself,a Amber replied.

aHe must put those pants on,a she stressed, making an attempt to lift her head.

aIall see to it. Rest, you're safe now.a aPromise me you will tell him.a aI promise.a Ellie went limp and shut her eyes.

Amber checked to make sure she was still breathing and had a good heartbeat. Then, thinking about Ellieas insistence on Tayanas choice of clothing, she suddenly knew where that scroll was. Before she left, she made sure one guard was in the room with Ellie and two more were stationed outside the door.

The study looked better, which was to say the floor was being cleaned and the desk had been removed. Tayan stood talking with the knight who had questioned Ellie and another one holding a parchment and pen as Amber stormed into the room.

The evil of the deed done here hit her with the exact same skin-crawling feeling she had gotten from Duke Kahn. She hadnat noticed it earlier, but then she had been preoccupied with keeping Ellie alive. She walked over to Tayan and pointed to the clothes Ellie had folded on some shelves.

aYou want to see why she was tortured?a she asked heavily. Not waiting for anyone to follow, she dug into the pile and found the pants Ellie had described. Picking them up, she shook them out until a scroll fell from one leg. She threw the pants aside and brandished the scroll at Tayan.

aThis!a she spat. aThis donation from Jeni Redman is why Ellie was tortured. Ellie refused to tell them where it was, so they tore her skin off!a Tayan took the scroll from her hand, which was quivering with rage. Calmly, he unrolled it and looked it over. aThis is a very generous donation.a aWho knew she had it?a the knight asked Tayan.

In her fury, Amber answered for him. aEllie was to get the donation from Jeni just to keep her busy, so she wouldnat try to come with us. The only ones who could have known she had it were Jeni Redman and Belenaris Tolham,a Right after she said it, she remembered something she had observed as she was escaping from the Sisters in the courtyard. aWhen they came out, Belenaris stopped to talk to a couple of his men. They went inside as we were leaving.a The knight frowned at her then nodded. aThank you, Sister,a Turning back to Tayan, he asked, aDid you see this, MaLord?a aHe was already gone by the time this happened.a The knight whirled on her. aMy good Sister!a he snapped. aI understand you are very upset, but I am addressing Lord Tayan, not you. Please keep still and let Lord Tayan answer for himself.a Tayan cleared his throat. aSir Walker, the good Sister is correct. I did not see either Mrs. Redman or Lord Tolham until after we arrived at the Dukeas palace.a aAnd you did order your...a He was about to say aslavea but noted Amber was still fuming beside him. "...Ellie to obtain this scroll for you?a aThat is correct.a Sir Walker nodded and looked at Amber. aI will be back to talk with you more, Sister. Where may I find you?a aSheall be at the church,a Tayan said quickly.

Amber gave him a startled look. Sir Walker only nodded, his expresion saying he wished that the one he was speaking to would answer him.

aVery well, MaLord. Until we find the culprits, I suggest you keep Ellie under heavy guard. The ones who did this know they have a death penalty hanging over their heads, and she can identify them.a He turned and walked away, signaling his scribe to follow.

aYou want me to leave you at a time like this?a Amber cried. aYou could be next, and what about Ellie?a He gazed at her a few seconds then said, aSir Walker just said to keep Ellie under heavy guard. You might also want to consider that you may be next. I want both of you safely tucked away in the church. I will call for you when I am ready.a aWhat about you?a she asked.

aI plan to be surrounded by guards,a he told her with a grin. aAnd I am not exactly helpless.a She couldnat believe he was sending her away. He was, and gave orders to gather a large guard to escort her and Ellie to the church. She was still working on a substantial reason to stay with him as she was led out to the center of a platoon of men, who had Ellie on her stretcher in the middle of the pack.

He was finally alone in the room. From one of the tall windows, he watched the Sister and the slave leave through the gates with their armed guard. Behind him, the door opened.

aLord Tayan, do you need anything, perhaps an evening drink to calm your nerves?a a servant asked.

aNo, thank you. I do not wish to be disturbed for the rest of the night,a he told the man pleasantly.

aAs you wish. Good night, MaLord.a Once the door was shut, he reached into his pocket and grasped the crystal. aMaster, I am inside. No one suspects anything--they believe I am who I say.a Very good, Alianaas voice replied in his head. You have that priestess out of the way?

aShe is not a problem.a Keep it that way, and keep me informed.

aYes, Master.a He let go of the crystal and started leafing through the stacks of parchment to get a grasp on the size of the army he was going to destroy.

The first day in the lower chambers, Amber tended to Ellie, sure that Tayan would send word to her. The task wasnat hard--Ellie slept the whole first day and most of the second. When Amber left to get food and pray, two of the six men in the room across the hall went with her. Weapons were not allowed in the church, but that did not include the thick walking sticks and heavy brass belt buckles that each man wore. Amber had once seen such a belt used in a fight; and although the other man had a knife, the man with the belt had beaten him to death.

The first time Ellie awoke, she stayed conscious only a few minutes. Once Amber told her that her master was fine and had his scroll, she slipped back into a deep sleep. Early in the morning on the third day she awoke again. Amber tended her wounds and tried to get her to eat. Ellie drank juice but refuse to eat anything. She stayed awake until just after noon then took a long nap until dinnertime.

While she tended to Ellie, Amber tried to get news from the outside. There was nothing from Tayan or anyone else; so she ended up having John, one of Jenias men who brought them supplies, tell her what was going on. What she found out she was sure had to be only wild rumor. The large contribution Jeni had made, the one Ellie almost gave her life for, was being used to hire scribes to post notices all over the city on the state of the army. These notices included the names of all the Lords and ranking officers, as well as a decent description of how many men they had. Tayan did hire General Cooper and had him move east of the city to perform maneuvers in farmland where angry farmers were compensated for the destruction of their crops. If she was to believe one guard who came in for his shift, he was also hiring mercenaries as military advisors.

The only thing she believed was that Belenaris Tolham was made Jenias consort by the elven council, and he had wasted no time in moving her to his own estate. According to John, Jeni had gone only because Belenaris had threatened to put Erica into an orphanage.

The morning of the fourth day, Amber returned from her morning prayers to find Ellie awake.

aGood morning, Ellie,a she said pleasantly as she came in. Going over to the girl, she lifted the covers to see if her wounds were still oozing. Thankfully, the bandages were dry.

aHow much of me is left?a Ellie asked tonelessly.

aI think you will recover quite nicely,a Amber told her. aSir Walker is still looking for the men who did this to you.a aWhat is my Master going to do with me?a she asked with a hint of fear in her voice.

Sitting down by her head, Amber took on a more stern tone. aHe has left you in my care. Until you are healed, donat worry about anything but getting better.a Ellie picked up her left arm and showed her the wrist stump. aAre you going to fix this?a Amber gave a sigh. aNothing can be done with it. Be glad youare still alive,a She picked up the blanket and pulled it to one side. aLetas see how your other injuries are.a Ellie stayed quiet as Amber checked her over. Except for her stomach, all her wounds were sealed. Not wanting Ellie to try to sit yet, she gave her a sponge bath and got a fresh sheet around her then made her eat a few slices of pear.

The door opened and a guard came in. aSister Amber, Sir Walker has some prisoners for Ellie to identify.a Amber turned to Ellie, who nodded.

Sir Walker came in first; then another guard led in four prisoners who shuffled along with chains on their hands and feet. The group was also connected by the collars around their necks. As the guards got them in a line at the foot of the bed, Amber propped Ellie up so she could get a good look at them.

aHead up!a a guard snapped at one who was looking at the floor. He punctuated his statement by slapping the manas chin to lift his head.

Three of the four were elven. Ellie studied their faces and pointed to two of the elves. aThat one, and that one. They are the ones who tried to steal from my Master.a aThese are the ones who attacked you?a aYes, because I would not give them my Masteras property,a Ellie stated.

The elf with the light-brown hair she had pointed to broke down and cried. aIt was Lord Tolham who told us to do it!a aRight,a the other one said quickly. aAnd he said head kill us if we got caught.a Grabbing the sobbing elf by his hair, Sir Walker made him look at Ellie. aLord Tolham told you to torture this girl?a aYes. He said do whatever you have to, but make her talk.a aSo, you cut off her hand and tore her skin off!a he spat in the elfas ear.

The other elf nodded. aThatas right. He said he didnat care what it took, but to get the scroll she had.a Sir Walker let go of the one elf and walked up to the other. aExplain to me in detail what his orders were.a The elf swallowed. aHe told us to...a aWho, exactly?a aLord Belenaris Tolham told us to get the scroll the slave had. I asked him what we should do if she refused.a The elf took a deep breath. aHe said to use whatever means necessary to get it.a Tipping his head toward the crying elf, he said, aHalarian asked if we should hit her. Lord Tolham stood as close to him as you are to me and told him to beat her, break her bones or whatever it took to make her give up the scroll. He implied that if we failed he would kill us.a Sir Walker frowned at him. aJust what did he say, exactly?a aHis exact words were aGet the scroll tonight, or you wonat see tomorrow.aa aAnd you will testify to this?a Sir Walker stated more than asked.

aItas not our fault!a Halarian cried. aIf only shead just given us the damn scroll!a aYou are the one who did this, not Lord Tolham!a Sir Walker spat.

In a firm voice, Ellie spoke up. aI will never betray my Master!a In a blast of breath, she yelled, aNever!a Amber looked down to see she was quaking. Ellie tried to sit up, wincing in pain as she hovered with her shoulders just above the sheets. Quickly, Amber was beside her, coaxing her back down. Once she got Ellie to lie still, she looked at the knight.

aSir Walker, I think you better leave.a Sir Walker hustled the men and guards out of the room. Standing by the doorway, he said, aSister, these men will be brought to justice, I promise.a aBelenaris Tolham, also?a she asked.

aThe duke will see to it personally,a he replied then closed the door on his way out.

Ellie stayed agitated the rest of the morning. The bandages on her stomach became stained with blood. Only after praying with her did Amber manage to get her calmed down and get the bleeding stopped. The rest of the day, Amber tried to take her mind off her injuries by playing games with her. As first, Ellie wanted nothing to do with games. Amber reasoned with her they would help pass the time until she got better. After considering this, Ellie gave it a try. She had never played tiles before, but once she got the hang of it, she won almost every time.

The next morning, Ellie insisted on trying to get up. Amber checked her stomach first and was quite surprised to discover the wound had healed over. Ellie sat up and got a look at herself for the first time.

Sitting naked on the edge of the bed, she gazed down at herself as she ran her hand over the latticework of scars on her body. Fingering the rough ridges of skin on her stomach, she let out a low moan. Both her thighs were also adorned with long, crisscrossed scar tissue.

aThey killed me,a she breathed.

aYou should be thankful to be alive,a Amber told her sternly.

Ellie turned a blank stare up to meet her eyes. aYou call this alive? Tell me, what Master deserves to see this in his bed?a she choked, indicating her body.

aI do not believe Tayan has plans of bedding you.a aWho would?a Ellie cried. aYou should have put me out of my misery!a Holding up the stump of her left arm, she waved it at Amber. aI canat serve, I am useless. Now, I am garbage!a aYou are not garbage!a Amber scolded.

Ellie hunched over and cried in wracking sobs. Amber let her. Once she got used to the sight of herself, she would talk her into feeling better. It did have to be a shock to find out that your once-perfect body now looked like something a blind artist had patched together. She had always thought that having pits in her face was a terrible thing. To see this girl now, she knew pits were nothing.

Ellie had quieted down by the time John arrived. Ignoring Ellie, he sat down beside her and looked at Amber. aI donat believe it. I heard it with my own ears, and I still canat believe it.a Amber flicked her eyes at Ellie. aDo you mind?a she asked heavily.

John looked at Ellie and pulled a sheet up around her shoulders. Returning his attention to Amber, he said, aSir Walker brought his evidence to Lord Tayan, who is now the acting leader of the elven council. It was up to him to set a trial date with the duke.a Amber screwed her face up. aHow did Tayan get to be head of the elven council?a aBeing an unofficial prince in Elrad, heas the senior noble,a John said with a shrug. aSir Walker was able to sentence the men who tortured Ellie, but to put a noble on trial he had to go through Lord Tayan.a aAnd...?a Amber prodded.