Naked Empire

The woman cleared her throat as they strolled down the broad corridor, gazing at the shops to each side. "And where have you traveled from?"

"Oh, far to the south. Very far." A

The woman's eyebrows lifted. "Really! An advisor to Lord Rahl himself.

What an honor for your family."

"Yes," A

"What does she advise him on?"

"Advise him on? Oh, well, matters of war."

The woman's mouth fell open. "A woman? Advising Lord Rahl on warfare?"

"Oh yes," A

The woman frowned a bit. "Well, that does seem rather remarkable, since here you are and all."

"Yes, and she told me that I'd meet a helpful woman."

The woman's smile returned, it again looked forced. "She sounds to be quite talented."

"Oh, you have no idea," A

"Really? Had she anything else to say about your visit, then? Anything specific?"

"Oh yes indeed. Why, do you know that she told me I would meet a man when I came here?"

The woman's gaze flicked around the halls. "There are a lot of men here. That hardly seems very specific. Surely, she must have said more than that… I mean, if she is so talented, and an advisor to Lord Rahl and all."

A

"She tells me about my future all the time. My sister is always telling me so many things about my future in her letters that I sometimes feel as if I'm having trouble catching up with my own life! I sometimes have trouble remembering it all."

"Oh do try," the woman said, eager for the gossip. "This is so fascinating."

A

"Well," A

"Dark azure eyes… my, my," the woman tittered, "but he does sound handsome."

"And she said that when he looks at a woman with those hawklike eyes of his, their knees want to buckle."

"That is precise," the woman said, her face getting flushed. "Too bad she didn't know this handsome fellow's name."

"Oh, but she did. What kind of advisor to the Lord Rahl would she be if she wasn't talented enough to know such things."

"She told his name, too? She can really do such tellings of the future?"

"Oh my yes," A

She strolled along for a time, watching people making their way up and down the hall, stopping at some of the shops that were still open, or sitting on benches, gossiping.

"And?" the woman asked. "What is the name your sister foretold? The name of this tall distinguished gentleman."

A

"Nathan," the woman repeated, looking almost as if she had been ready to pluck the name off A

"Yes, that's it. Nathan. Do you know anyone here at the palace by that name? Nathan? A tall fellow, older, with long white hair, broad shoulders, azure eyes?"

The woman peered up at the ceiling in thought. This time it was A

A hand seized A

Behind them stood a very tall woman, with a very long blond braid, with very blue eyes, wearing a very dark scowl and an outfit of very red leather.

The woman beside A

"We've been expecting you," the woman in red leather said.

Behind her, back up the hallway a short distance, spread out to block the hall, stood a dozen perfectly huge men in perfect leather armor carrying perfectly polished swords, knives, and lances.

"Why, I think you must have me mistaken for-"

"I don't make mistakes."

A

"No, I don't suppose you do. What's this about?" A

"Wizard Rahl wanted us to bring you in."

"Wizard Rahl?"

"Yes. Wizard Nathan Rahl."

A

"Are you all right, my dear?"

She stared, wide-eyed, at the woman in red leather glowering down at her. "Yes. I have to go. I'm late. I must go. Can I go?"

"Yes, you had better go," the tall blonde said.

The woman dipped a quick bow and muttered "Good night" before scurrying off down the hall, looking over her shoulder only once.

A

"You won't be having an audience with Wizard Rahl."

"You mean, not tonight, I won't be having an… audience with him tonight."

A

"My name is Nyda," the woman said.

"Pleased to meet-"

"Do you know what I am?" She didn't wait for A

very, very unpleasant weapon."

"Well," A

"I don't care how useful you find your magic. If you try to so much as light a candle with it, your power will be mine."

"I see," A

"Don't believe me?" Nyda leaned down. "I encourage you to try to attack me. I haven't captured a sorceress's magic for quite a while. Might be…

fun."

"Thank you, but I'm a bit too tired out-from my travels and all-to be attacking anyone just now. Maybe later?"

Nyda smiled. In that smile A

"Fine. Later, then."

"So, what is it you intend to do with me in the meantime, Nyda? Put me up in one of the palace's fine rooms?"

Nyda ignored the question and gestured with a tilt of her head. Two of the men a short way back up the hall rushed forward. They towered over A

"Let's go," Nyda said as she marched off down the hall ahead of them.