Page 29 of Daughter of the Serpent

Tara bowed gracefully before the elders, her hand tipping back with the hem of her robes.

“Your graces.”

Pleased with her entry, they nodded in response, Rederick waving his hand in approval.

“Tara, you are Sylvie’s chambermate at the temple.” Rederick confirmed.

“Yes my lord, I have been with her since my dedication.”

“During your time with Sylvie has she been known to show any signs of discomfort? Dissatisfaction with the temple or her duties?”

“She has been a loyal servant my lord - ”

“That is not what I asked,” His eyes drilled into hers. “Speak girl, and know that the gods are watching.”

“She has shown signs of discomfort my lord,” Tara began, choosing her words carefully. “She has known mistreatment of the people because of her disadvantages.”

“Yet she has been given everything by the temple. All her needs are met, are they not?”

Tara’s eyes shifted to her feet. “Yes my lord.”

“Yet she still harbors resentment, anger?”

“I don’t know my lord,” Tara admitted truthfully, her face smooth, emotionless.“If she does, she has not shared it with me.”

“Yet you were there yesterday at the market.” He affirmed, “you saw the mistreatment, the…altercationwith Baldr?”

“Yes,”

“Would you not agree she would have reason to hate this man?”

Tara quieted before her answer, her first hint of discomfort showing. “Yes.”

Rederick straightened in his chair, his hand draping his furred blankets over his legs before accepting a cup of wine from one of his manservants.

“Thank you Tara,” He said, bringing the goblet to his lips. Two streams of red dribbled down his chin as he drank his fill while all waited, Sylvie’s heart a stone in her chest. Once he had finished, he wavedthe servants away.

“Now, I must know. Was it her that enticed you into leaving your quarters to attend the festivities?”

Tara finally looked in her direction. Sylvie’s eyes drilled into her, praying she would say nothing, that she would let her take the blame, the fall. The last thing she wanted was for Tara to be punished alongside her.

Tara turned back to Rederick. “I felt compelled to go, my lord…”

Relief flooded Sylvie’s senses. At least Tara knew when to bend.

“She bewitched you!” Someone yelled from the crowd. “She ensnared you in her web of evil!”

“Silence!” Rederick commanded, raising his hand again, his eyes narrowed.

“Go on, girl.”

Her head bowed. “I wanted to go, my lord…but I cannot tell you why.”

“It is clear the taint of magic ensnared you.” He nodded in agreement, and the crowd murmured.

Fear snaked along Sylvies spine. If they didn’t hang her for her supposed crimes, she was sure they would for her newly channeled magic.

Rederick leaned forward. “Did you see what occurred? Did you see what happened in the forest with Baldr and the other men?”