The Iron Butterfly (Iron Butterfly 1)

“There are numerous plants and herbs that when ingested can remove memories, but unfortunately there are no known cures. Maybe over time they will return,” Lorna said solemnly. She walked over to a side wall and pulled a golden cord. This time a different servant came at the summons.

“Thalia, you must be tired and we have much to discuss. Forrest will take you to the kitchens and show you to a guest room. Tomorrow morning we will meet again to decide what we will do with you.” Lorna spoke softly and then turned her back to me.

That’s it. I was dismissed. But she was right, my stomach was growling and I suddenly felt very exhausted. I let Forrest lead me down the halls as I stared at his back. Forrest was an elderly servant with a noble demeanor. He never spoke as he led me to the kitchen and patiently waited while I grabbed a handful of stuffed pastries, fruit and bread, items that would keep and be easy to eat later. Taking a bite out of an apple, I followed Forrest to a small guest room. I didn’t feel like eating in the kitchen or dining room and have to answer any more questions. The guest room would do.

It was small cozy, with a single window that overlooked the garden in the back of the keep. The bed was very soft, too soft, and once again I found myself unable to sleep. Grabbing a blanket I curled up on the hard floor and prayed that I wouldn’t dream tonight.

Chapter 5

“It’s been decided,” Lorna spoke on behalf of all of the Adepts except for Cirrus, who was still absent. “Until we have more information about the Septori and their leader, that it would be best if you stayed here within the Citadel.”

I let out a puff of air I didn’t know I was holding. We were once again meeting in the same room as yesterday and from the looks of it, it seems that the Adepts got as much sleep as I did, which was slim to none.

Lorna studied me thoughtfully before continuing. “Since you are not Denai it would be useless to enroll you in our program. Also, it is too dangerous to send you out into the city without protection and no way to make a living, so we agreed that it is in your best interest if you become our ward. Queen Lilyana has agreed as well and is personally looking into this herself.”

I could see out of the corner of my eyes a few of the Adepts nodding their head in agreement with Lorna.

My heart fluttered apprehensively in my chest. It sounded too good to be true, and I found myself second guessing their decisions and looking for an ulterior motive. No one was this kind without wanting something in return, there were no such things as handouts. Maybe I was just blinded by the cruelty of the Septori and was waiting for an ambush in the darkness that likely would never come. The only reason I could see for letting me stay in the Citadel was that they wanted to keep me close, and rightfully so, they didn’t trust me and I didn’t trust them. When I thought about their request, I realized I was exchanging one prison for another. Although this cell was much bigger, with a ready supply of food and a softer bed, it was still a prison. I was up most of the night dreading that I would be turned loose on the street with no way to support myself. And, not remembering if I have family, I wouldn’t know where to turn. I had pondered different ways of trying to survive. Just the thought of living on the streets made me shiver. And I did.

“For how long,” I asked hesitantly, “would I be allowed to stay? How long would I be a ward of the Citadel?” When they said I was to become a ward that could have any number of implications. It could mean the Adepts would have total control in what I do until I reached adulthood, or until they decided the Septori was no longer a threat to me. I needed to hear that there was a way out, a backdoor to this prison that I could escape through without fear of being tracked down by their guards.

It was Adept Kambel who leaned forward and spoke quietly and reassuringly. “For as long as you want or until your family is found.” A small smile escaped the corner of his mouth and I could see that he at least was pleased with the announcement. My eyes darted and I could see Adept Breah staring daggers at the tapestry behind me, refusing to speak or make eye contact with anyone, her anger evident in her flushed cheeks. I looked at the tapestry and couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary beyond the depiction of a hunter on a horse bringing down an elk.

“The Queen is concerned and is sending a detail of men to search for the Septori and also to try and locate your family. We will do the best we can to find them,” Lorna finished, interrupting my thoughts.

Breah snorted, either in anger or disgust. She looked tired, her hair was slightly unkempt and she wore the same dress as yesterday; evidence that they talked through the night.

“What would I do here at the Citadel?” I asked. Feeling a sense of unease come over me, I wasn’t used to being idle. I couldn’t stand to be cooped up any longer without anything to do. Also I had learned that nothing in life was free and to never trust the gift horse, period.

“Do you have any particular talents or skill set?” Pax asked.

“I.. uh. I’m not sure?” I was becoming flustered and angry at the same time. “I would like to stay active though.”

Lorna pondered a moment before clapping her hand against her thigh in decisiveness. “Well then, we shall give you to Tearsa as a helper. She is in charge of the running of household duties at the Citadel and will find work for you to keep you busy. She will also figure out a wage for you and get you situated in a room. If there are no further objections you can begin today. Forrest will take you to get your things.”

I bobbed my head. Of course I didn’t have any objections, a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, meals and a wage. It was more than I could possibly ever hope for. But the most important part was that I would be safe within the Citadel's walls. I knew better than to expect a cushy lifestyle here at the Citadel. Just because they were taking me under wing and I wasn’t taking classes, didn’t mean I would have it easy and get to lounge around all day. I would still be expected to pitch in.

Forrest was waiting outside the meeting room for me. Without speaking a word he led me back to the guest room to get my belongings. I fumbled nervously with the door knob because other than the clothes I was wearing and the container of balm I had in my pocket that I got from Mara, I had no other belongings. Pausing I turned around toward him and said, “I'm ready.”

A slight blush ran up the back of his neck as he realized his mistake and he dropped his eyes to the floor as if in apology. He quickly led me down several back hallways and into the main dining room where a stout lady in a muted topaz dress with a white apron was meeting with the Citadel’s staff. I presumed that this must be Tearsa. Her hair, a dull red fading toward grey, was pulled into a severe knot at the base of her neck. I waited patiently with Forrest until she was done.

“I will not tolerate laziness again or your day pass privileges will be revoked. We have a lot to do before training resumes tomorrow. The whole place must be thoroughly cleaned and aired, linens washed, silverware polished.” She slowly turned her hard gaze over everyone, making a few of the younger staff squirm in their seats. When they had enough she dismissed them, tucking her list into her pockets.

Turning to Forrest and addressing him, she asked, “So this is the one?”

He nodded.

“What am I supposed to do with her?” she appealed in exasperation.