The Threshold Child (42 page)

When they arrived, E’nes turned Adesina over to Wren’na to prepare
her for supper that night. Wren’na sent E’nes on some errands and then set to
work on pinning Adesina’s hair up in an elaborate mass of twists and braids.
She was weaving in a string of tiny pearls with a bluish tint when E’nes
returned. He was holding an elegant cream-colored dress that had belonged to
their mother. He handed it to his wife and then left the room.

“This should fit you better than anything I own,” Wren’na said in
satisfaction.

There were some minor alterations that had to be made. Adesina had
a very similar build to her mother, but they were not exact. Wren’na’s hands
flew as she stitched and hemmed. There were also some modifications to the
fashion to make it look more modern. Adesina held very still as Wren’na worked.

After a few minutes of small talk, Adesina asked casually, “Are
you familiar with the museum at the university?”

Wren’na nodded, unable to speak with several pins held between her
lips. Ravi gave Adesina a reproving look, but she ignored it stubbornly.

“There was a very beautiful tapestry behind the armor of L’avan,
but I could not read what was written on it.”

Wren’na frowned thoughtfully, removing the pins one by one as she
went on with the alterations. “I believe that is the Prophesy of the Threshold
Child, but I am not certain. History was never my favorite subject.”

Adesina felt a wave of disappointment. “So you do not know what it
says?”

She shook her head. “I know I should remember, but I do not. I
only remember that the Threshold Child is to be the one to save our people from
destruction.”

An uneasiness filled Adesina’s chest, weighing it down. “What kind
of destruction?”

Wren’na shrugged. “I do not remember the details of the prophecy.”

The hairs on the back of Adesina’s neck stood on end. Suddenly, she
didn’t want to know what the tapestry said. Something deep down inside of her
told her that she would be sorry if she heard those mysterious words.

She was searching for a casual way to introduce a new subject when
E’nes came back into the room.

He had changed from his Protector uniform and was wearing a dark
green tunic with lighter green embroidery. His fine features gave him a noble look,
and his upright stance conveyed confidence. Wren’na looked at him with
adoration in her eyes.

“Almost ready?” he asked.

Wren’na nodded happily as she surveyed her work. “I believe so.
Adesina, you look beautiful.”

Her brother gave his agreement. “You look just like Mother.”

She tried to appear flattered, but she felt more uncomfortable
than anything else. She hated wearing dresses, and didn’t know why she couldn’t
just wear her uniform.

Wren’na led her to a full-length mirror so she could take a look at
herself. Adesina also thought that she looked a lot like their mother. She
almost didn’t recognize herself.

The style of her hair was elegant and the dress was stunning. The
cream color complemented her skin tones, and the satin material shone in the lamplight.
It had a fitted bodice, which showed off her figure nicely, and the flowing
skirt and flared sleeves made her look more liquid than solid.

Adesina rarely thought of herself as a woman, and concerns about
physical beauty had fallen by the wayside just as often. However, she was
strangely pleased by the lovely young woman gazing back from the mirror, in
spite of the uncomfortable feeling of the dress. For the first time in her
life, she felt like something beyond a Shimat.

Wren’na hurried from the room to make preparations of her own.
Adesina and E’nes waited for her in the main room downstairs while she changed.
She returned with her hair pinned up in a manner similar to Adesina’s, only
with pale green ribbons weaving through the twists and braids. Her dress was
the same pale green as the ribbons in her hair and the material shimmered
faintly. It was gathered and ruffled along the edges, making her look like she
had stepped into a piece of foamy sea tossed by the wind.

E’nes proudly took both of their arms and led them down the twilit
streets to the palace, with Ravi following close behind. They were met at the
palace by servants in gray livery and shown to an ornate antechamber leading to
the dining hall. There was quite a group milling around, waiting for the
arrival of the king. Some of these people Adesina recognized, others she did
not.

They were greeted by the royal family. L’era, in particular, was
excited to see them. She linked arms with Adesina and whispered in her ear, “I
am so happy that you are here! Dinner with military leaders and Father’s head
counselors—I would have been bored to tears!”

She was dressed in a gown of deep violet and wore an elegant
diamond necklace. Her abundant golden hair was heaped up in curls and held in
place by two silver combs. On her forehead rested a silver circlet in the shape
of intertwining vines.

L’iam was also wearing a silver circlet, but his was twisted like
his brother’s golden one. This was the first time Adesina had seen him wearing
anything other than his uniform. He was dressed in black, with a crimson sash
draped across his chest, and the black ribbon he constantly wore still fastened
around his neck. The sash was tastefully decorated with various metals and
ornaments. Adesina thought he looked exactly as a prince should: regal,
handsome, with a warm expression on his face.

His brother was dressed the same, but with a deep blue sash that
was more highly decorated. He sat next to his mother, speaking to her in a low
voice. The queen sat reclined on a chaise, looking beautiful and delicate.
Adesina wondered about the state of health of the seemingly frail woman. It
appeared as though everyone was going out of their way to act as if nothing was
out of the ordinary, but she was still treated like an invalid.

The doors were flung open to admit the king. He was dressed to
match his sons, but his sash was a pure white and had more decorations than the
both of theirs combined. He surveyed the room, and noted that all of his guests
had arrived. With a smile of satisfaction, he spread his hands in a gesture of
welcome.

“I am pleased that you could gather to join me and my family for
supper. Shall we proceed to the dining hall?”

The dining hall had been set up to accommodate their number, but
it looked capable of holding a much bigger group as well. The walls were hung
with vivid tapestries and there were a number of white marble statues lining
the edge of the room. The ceiling was painted to emulate a starry sky, and the
long table was decorated with wreaths of flowers and other sweet smelling
plants.

Servants led each of them to the places they would be seated.
Adesina was surprised that she was so close to the king. He sat at the head of
the table, with L’iam on his right and L’era on his left. Adesina was seated
next to L’era, and there was an empty place next to her where the chair had
been taken away. Ravi took his place here, looking completely at ease sitting
at a dinner table.

E’nes and his wife were next to L’iam, while Queen Ta’mala and
L’on were at the other end of the table, helping to entertain the guests seated
there. There were enough people at this dinner party that Adesina doubted that
she would have been able to speak to the other guests at the far end of the
table without shouting.

The first course was placed in front of them by the legion of
servants. Adesina noticed that Ravi was not served and leaned to ask quietly,
“Are you not going to eat with us?”

He smiled softly. “No, Ma’eve. The Rashad rarely dine with
others.” When he saw the questions in her eyes, his smile widened. “Do not
concern yourself, dear one. It is not a matter of importance. It is simply a
matter of preference.”

Only slightly mollified, Adesina turned her attention back to the
people around her. E’nes and Wren’na were talking to a wizened couple sitting
next to them. L’iam and his father were discussing the problems that had been
brought before the king while he gave audience.

It was Adesina’s understanding that there were Law Keepers who
took care of the everyday matters, but when something couldn’t be settled by
them, it was taken to the king. L’era listened with interest, occasionally
posing questions or making comments. King L’unn listened to everything his two
younger children had to say, as if it held as much importance as anything
offered by his heir or counselors.

“How many of the herds have been affected?”

“Almost one third.”

“What can we do, father?”

King L’unn shrugged sadly. “I do not know. I would hate to order a
hunt to thin out their numbers, but I do not know what else can be done. The
Rashad are focusing their forces in the Pass, and I cannot ask them to do
otherwise. Especially with what has been happening with the southerners.”

L’era frowned in concern. “Perhaps the packs will move on in
time.”

King L’unn smiled at his daughter’s optimism. “The winter will
only drive them farther south. Then
all
of our herds will be picked at
by the beasts.”

L’iam noticed that Adesina was listening and explained. “There is
a rather fierce pack of northern wolves attacking our cattle.”

She nodded, noticing that the king’s eyes had fixed on her as
well. He acknowledged the servant placing the second course in front of him,
but did not waver his gaze. When he spoke, it was in a quiet voice.

“What do you think of the L’avan, Adesina?”

Her reply was worded carefully. “I have been pleasantly
surprised.”

King L’unn raised an eyebrow. “Surprised?”

She smiled faintly as she answered. “The Shimat led me to believe
that the L’avan were a power-seeking, tyrannical cult.”

He nodded grimly. “Yes, well, that seems to be the most common
opinion in the outside world.”

Adesina’s voice was slightly challenging as she posed her
question. “Why do the Shimat hate you so much?”

King L’unn leaned back, looking at her thoughtfully. “Because we
are the only people free from their influences. If they discredit us, they
remove the danger of us exposing them for what they are. Or, at least, of
anyone believing us.”

She frowned. “Why do the L’avan stay isolated so far north? Why
not join the rest of the world and show them that there is nothing to fear?”

His expression became sad. “For many generations our people
did
live among others, but we were greatly persecuted and eventually driven
from our homes. We went as far north as we could, far away from any others, and
rebuilt our lives in isolation. Here our children can run and play without fear
of violence. Here we can practice our gifts without being called demons and having
our houses burned down or our crops destroyed.”

Adesina shook her head. “Why not fight back?”

The king merely nodded, but L’iam said softly to himself, “Someday
we will.”

Adesina looked at him in curiosity. “What do you mean?”

It was apparent that he had not meant to speak aloud. He glanced
at his father apologetically. “Well…”

“We have been promised that things will not always be this way,”
the king finished for his son.

She didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

An uncomfortable silence followed, which was only broken by Ravi.
“Tell her, L’unn. It is time.”

The king did not appear nearly as certain. “Are you sure, old
friend?”

Ravi inclined his head. “L’iam?”

The price’s eyes flickered before settling on Adesina. There was a
hint of resignation in the tone of his voice as he spoke. “There was a prophecy
given by L’avan, the father of our race.”

The uneasiness that Adesina had felt back at E’nes’s house
returned full force. Her chest constricted, and she had to remind herself to
breath. Nervous tension, like electricity, shot through her limbs, giving her
goose bumps. She looked over at her brother, and saw that he had his eyes fixed
on them in anxiety. The rest of the table seemed oblivious to the sudden shift
of mood.

“L’avan spoke of the persecution and trials we would have to
endure as a people, and he spoke of a ‘gilded prison’ of our own making. Then
he prophesied of the one who would save us from our slow destruction.”

Almost against her will, Adesina asked, “What did he say of that
person?”

L’iam’s eyes were deep with the strong mixture of emotions he
felt. “He said, ‘Look, therefore, to the advent of the Threshold Child. One who
is of this people yet not of this people. One who bears all gifts, Dreams as
friends, sees as the enemy and shall be called the bird of prey. This is the
one who stands on the Threshold of a New World. This is the one who will save
my children from the slow destruction of their atrophy and lead them back to
the light of their purpose.’”

King L’unn studied her intently. “There is only one person in the
history of the L’avan who has filled all of these requirements.”

Adesina felt ill with the slow realization that had been coming on
since she had first heard of the prophecy. Now, hearing the words she had
wished to avoid, she knew exactly who they were talking about.