Free The Ancient Ones (The Legacy Trilogy Book 3) by Michael Foster Page B

to him. ‘Evidently. Your clothes smell like a fish market, and I know of no fish markets remaining—in these parts at least. What is your name?’
    Leopold took offence at her comment, but looking at himself, dressed in his worn old clothes encrusted with salt, he probably did stink as she said, despite his recent bath. ‘I am Leopold,’ he told her. ‘Leopold Green.’
    ‘Leopold?’ she said, musing on his name. ‘Well, don’t linger outside our door, young Mister Green. Come in and chat with me. It’s not often we receive visitors.’
    He did not know what to do as she swept past him, trailing the hem of her skirts upon the rug-covered floor. Hesitantly, he followed the radiant woman into the room. She sat on a padded chair away from the others, placing her feet flat on the floor and neatening her dress upon her lap.
    ‘Come. Sit,’ she said, gesturing to the chair opposite her, and Leopold did as he was told. ‘I am Lady Chatrise,’ she told him. ‘Daughter of Empress Carolyn.’ She took note of Leopold’s lack of recognition, and went on. ‘Goodness. You seem to have found your way into the Royal quarters and evidently you have no idea who we are. Are you supposed to be here?’
    ‘Of course,’ he replied nervously.
    ‘Then I assume you are to join the battle for Cintar?’ she asked and he nodded quickly. ‘I think it is very brave of you. There is very little common decency left in the world, so it is noble of you to sally into battle. You don’t look like you could hold a sword,’ she added, scrutinising his lean form.
    Leopold was speechless, but thankfully something caught Lady Chatrise’s interest and her consternation changed into an assuming smile.
    ‘Did you happen to arrive today, in the company of that blasted scourge Lord Samuel?’ she asked.
    To this, Leopold nodded. He was not a child by any measure, and yet he felt overwhelmed by this well-spoken and beautiful woman.
    She laughed at his response, and quietened her voice when some of the other women looked over.
    ‘Oh, Leopold, why didn’t you tell me?’ She leaned forward and whispered to him, ‘I am so happy to meet you, my darling brother!’
    ‘What’s that?’ Leopold spoke with surprise, much louder than he intended.
    ‘Leopold Green, my left foot,’ she said. ‘I am your half-sister. Our father was the same man—Edmond Calais.’ She gestured discretely to the others in the room. ‘All these and many more are your half-sisters and their children. We heard you had been found and had arrived with the magician today. We thought it perhaps some cruel jest or rumour, but I see now on meeting you it is true. I can see our father’s look about you! You’re his spitting image!’ She leaned further forward and grasped his hands and squeezed them. ‘Oh, Leopold! How wonderful to know you are alive!’
    Leopold was taken aback, and pulled away.
    ‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I know you don’t remember any of us. I was only five years old when you disappeared. We had thought you and Empress Lillith were lost forever, but then you returned and the Paatin horde was miraculously defeated. We thought our prayers had been answered. Then the Darkening came over the world. Everything fell into chaos and you and mother vanished again—before the coming of the witch. No one knew what happened to you. All hope was lost, and now we have cause for celebration!’ The woman stood up and pressed her hands to her chest with joy. ‘Come, you must meet everyone!’
    Leopold spoke softly and urgently to calm her down. ‘That is not a good idea,’ he told her. ‘I’ve lived my whole life on a tiny island, with only salt and sand for company. I am not even sure if all this I’ve heard about me is true.’
    ‘Very well, my brother,’ she said considerately. ‘Take your time. This must be quite a shock for you. Have you truly been in hiding all this time? How exciting!’
    A woman’s scream sounding from outside the window