Day 165 (143rd)

Day 165 (143rd):
Mattis woke us and said the rider was here. We got dressed and ate as we left. The rider was a soldier we had dealt with before and knew he was discrete. Mattis produced his carriage and horses. He took the reins and steered us to the outpost in front of the gates. Nigel was waiting as were several Baaloc soldiers. We stopped at the door. Nigel struck his pose.
"Exit, ladies, these men are only a precaution," Nigel ordered.
The carriage door opened and, as we left the dark interior of it, our planned outfits sprang into being. Nigel relaxed a bit when he saw it was truly us and not impostors.
"Welcome to Baaloc Prime, ladies," Nigel said with a slight bow, "Once you have seen the examining room, we will go to the palace so you can make your mistress' quarters to her liking. Follow me, please."
It was not until we were inside that Nigel noticed nine instead of seven. Before he could ask, Sarah clung to the soldier and Alice to Mattis. As the two youngest, it would not be unusual for them to have someone watching over them. Nigel guided us through the cold examining room and, delicately, went through the examination procedure. We returned to our carriage and was escorted into Baaloc Prime. I could feel the change rising in the city. Although the buildings were still chaotic, order was taking hold on the living parts of the city. As soon as we entered the palace, servants informed us lunch was ready. Nigel said for us to go and eat. He had "business" to attend. The nine of us followed the servant to a reproduction of Raval Palace's formal dining room. Like all of its copies, this was also distorted. The table was crooked on the edges and uneven from one end to the other. The chairs were mismatched and wobbly. The food we were served was odd. There was little taste and what taste was there was not good. It took a little magic to get it edible. Nigel returned, nearly giddy. Whatever he had done pleased him greatly. He began a history lesson on the palace. Every word was a lie. Anna relayed the real history and not one thing matched his story. We followed him up a dizzying stairway that pitched and leaned as we climbed. He showed us Mara's bed chamber. It was hideous! The pinks and purples looked like bruises. The flowers, although fresh, stank horribly. The bed, draped in those awful pinks and purples, was piled with odd shaped pillows that were barely held together by the amateur stitching and poorly woven fabric. Alice, having ordered servants before, began tearing into everything. Following her example, we had the place nearly bare in a few minutes. Servants and slaves drug the hideous stuff out as we tossed it to them. Mattis and our soldier just stood off to the side and watched. Nigel was growing angrier by the minute, but said nothing. He knew that all of his plans hinged on Mara's happiness and a chamber to her liking would help her be happy. Once stripped, we started a list of materials to refurnish the room. We secretly produced handkerchiefs of the colors we wanted and sent servants to fetch them. We got a sewing kit. As the material arrived, we began sewing them properly. Nigel watched as we quickly fashioned curtains, pillows, and a bed curtain. He was so angry, he nearly radiated red. One treasure was uncovered. A huge rose and white quilt was brought. The slave said a merchant gladly gave it up as he had been unable to sell it for years. It covered the bed and looked beautiful. Nigel sneered at it and made a noise of disgust. By the time we were informed dinner was ready, the room was slightly livable. We left a long list of items to finish the room. Nigel joined us this time. He was very quiet during our meal. This food wasn't any better than lunch. Nigel ate as if he were starving. While his head was bent, Mattis attempted to magic some taste to our portions. Nigel jumped up, anger coloring his eyes red.
"I knew it! I knew you would try something underhanded!"
He ran over to Mattis and confronted him.
"What are you? Cleric? Wizard? Disguised abomination? Speak truly or die where you stand!"
Mattis calmly rose and pulled out his master wizard broach and pinned it over his left breast. Nigel was so angry, words left him. He ordered all servants and slaves to leave the room. As soon as the doors were closed, we heard each lock shut. Nigel became his true hybrid demon self, not much different than Tharinzar, just with wings. Our soldier went ashen. We seven did nothing. It took a moment for Nigel to realize we were not screaming in terror. He looked at all of us, trying to be intimidating.
"Are you girls so frightened of my glorious image that you are frozen with terror? Bow to the power of the Baalocs and you may have the pleasure of bedding my brethren and birthing more of our kind."
All of us erupted in laughter. Nigel just stared. He grabbed Mattis.
"Are you so powerful that they do not fear me?" he demanded.
"No," Mattis calmly replied, "I alone have not the power to do you much harm. We are laughing at the fact you have sealed your doom."
"From whom? The white-faced soldier or a bunch of spoiled handmaidens of a worthless princess?"
I stood, "We are not what you believe. It is time to take you out of the picture."
My sisters stood. The swords rose from their hiding places under our garments. Nigel's eyes went wide and he released Mattis. He stepped back as the truth struck him.
"YOU! All this time? I stood face-to-face with you many times and not once did you reveal yourselves. You may have surprised me, but it is you who will perish."
He began summoning magic. Like lightening, seven swords flew through the air and into Nigel. His casting sputtered as he saw seven blades sticking into and out of his body. He tried to laugh, but it hurt. He looked at all of us.
"I am holy! Even magic swords cannot kill me!"
"No, but this can," we said in unison and began the vanquishing spell.
Nigel roared. The swords kept him from running at us to end the spell. He twisted and spun as his body began to glow. He roared even louder as the glow consumed him. Then, as quick as a blink, the swords were hanging in mid-air, piercing nothing. They returned to us, humming pleasantly. The locks popped open and people poured into the room. They looked around, trying to understand the sounds they had heard. The eldest of them finally understood. He approached us and bowed.
"Blessed Seven, I thank you for ridding us of him. His evil and arrogance made our hard lives nearly unbearable. Plus, many suspect, he was adding to Cornwall's madness."
Some of the others, understanding his words, came over and thanked us as well. A few stood back, hate in their eyes. They were true believers of the Baaloc faith and we were the worst of the worst to them. Sarah, in her quiet way, approached them.
"We respect your beliefs. However, some have corrupted the pure faith and used it for personal power. Nigel was such a person. They are our enemies, not the faithful."
They did listen and did understand. By layers, their hate fell away. A valet addressed us.
"We have known for some time our faith was being corrupted, yet our law says the leaders are in that position by the will of the highest god. They fall only when it is ordained for them to fall. We will not help you, but we will not stop you either. Go, before he is missed."
The elder escorted us back to the carriage. We left at a normal pace as if nothing had changed. Out of sight of the city, we headed back to the cottage under cover of darkness. Kendar and Sadal were waiting. As we entered, Mattis dismissed the carriage and horses. When we were all inside, we gave a detailed report. Kendar was all smiles while Sadal sat in shock. Our outfits had vanished along with the carriage. The two of them had some left over food and we divided it between us as we explained the tastelessness of their food. A flurry of banging brought our attention to the tunnel door. Rono nearly fell in as we opened it. He was out of breath and flushed.
"Nigel...dead. Tharinzar...blamed. Baalocs...claim...he conspired...with Sisters...double cross...Cornwall." he panted.
Silence followed by roaring laughter. Rono looked at us like we were all insane. Kendar explained the he started laughing. It was some minutes before we had enough breath to speak. Mattis produced extra beds for the men and we nearly laughed ourselves to sleep.