Azriel stepped nervously onto the foyer where she was supposed to meet Ashdeer and Layla for a meal. She was terrified of meeting Ashdeer's first wife. She felt only trepidation for this event. She wasn't at all sure how she would be received by Layla, who would after all, be the Duchess of Irismus. All she knew was that Layla was very beautiful, and had also given Ashdeer a son, and was herself a powerful woman in her own right.
She took a tentative peep into the parlous where they were supposed to dine and held her breath. It was a large oval room, with lovely frescoes all over the wall. It showed nymphs, and dryads frolicking in a forest, mermaids and other creatures in a lake and on one side, was the Great Dragon, his large green-grey body, spread out over the sky, and as he watched over his subjects. There was something on his back and Azriel stepped closer to see it despite herself, curiosity over-taking her shyness. She looked in surprise to see the symbol of a phoenix, etched in silver upon the dragon's back.
She took a step back in shock and the Book murmured, "Finally, she starts seeing more truth, more truth.....learning more everyday, this rookie bird, this little bird."
"It's lovely is it not?", a rich lilting voice interrupted her scrambling thoughts.
Azriel started and looked back to see a lovely woman standing behind her. She was a few inches taller than Azriel, and ethereally beautiful. Her skin was a rich chocolate brown, with large green eyes and hair the colour of silver threads. Her skin had tiny scales on it, almost like a snake. She wore a long green kaftan, which was so sheer that Azriel could see her nipples and the tiny silver thong as well. She didn't know how to react. Never had she seen a woman so lovely and beautiful, yet so unashamed of her body. Even Eva's rather scandalous low cut necklines held no compare.
"You must be...."
"Layla....yes I am Layla.....Azriel."
Azriel felt a bit like a small pigeon in front of a beautiful bird of paradise. Layla was so lovely that she knew she held no compare.
To her surprise, Layla walked upto her and hugged her saying, "Welcome sister. I look forward to meet you and get to know you."
Azriel hugged her back stiffly, rather shocked by the welcome she had received. Her mind was churning as she inhaled the warm scent of Layla in the embrace. How different were the people of Irismus. She could never imagine her step-mother embracing any woman in her father's life. In fact, even the discovery of her own parentage had created such a wide rift between her parents. So much so, that her step-mother, had not even seen her face since the truth had come to light.
Layla, held her arm and took her to a low seat in the parlour. There was a warm and toasty fire in the fireplace, and the room was warmed by coal braziers kept across. Suddenly Azriel understood why Layla could wear such few clothes in the room. Her own outfit felt very warm and stifling suddenly.
"Sit down Azriel, let us speak. Ashdeer will come in a few minutes as well. My son has gone to sleep, else I would have called him in to meet you as well tonight."
Azriel sat down, her heart still thudding. She felt very out of place in front of Layla. How could Ashdeer love someone like her, after having loved and lived with a woman like Layla. She felt woefully out of place and inadequate. A bearer wearing white robes much like Tara walked in with a tray bearing two crystal goblets, full of a deep rich red wine. Layla took one glass and offered the other to Azriel. She took a delicate sip, enjoying the flavour of it and wondering how much she should drink while keeping a calm head.
Layla coughed delicately and held a kerchief to her lips. Azriel was horrified to see little droplets of blood on the kerchief when she pulled it away.
Layla noticed her look of shock and said, "Yes, Azriel....it's just a matter of time for me in this world now."
Grapes, olives and many cheeses slowly found their way to the table. Another bearer brought in a platter of cured meats and tiny bits of bread.
Layla said, "I do not wish to talk of the unfortunate circumstances of my illness. It will only disturb you Azriel. Suffice it to say that I am not well and do not have much time to live. My son has also caught the sickness from me, but he is young and may still recover. Our best mages and medicine men are working to save him and I pray for his recovery every day." She coughed again and kept silent, taking a quick sip of wine."
When she spoke again, her breath was a bit raspy and she said softly, almost in a whisper, "Azriel, Ashdeer never even took a lover in our years of marriage, nor a mistress. He is a good man..." she coughed again and said, "I...know ...that this marriage is an arrangement for you both but....if you can............." she kept coughing and was unable to continue. Azriel was very perturbed as she didn't know how to comfort Layla. She felt very sorry for her, but wasn't sure how to help the woman.
Two or three staff members came running in, as did Ashdeer. He was dressed in a simple green robe, much like Layla, but tucked and pleated like Azriel's own, and in a similar shimmering silk such as her own. He grabbed Layla and immediately made her drink from a tiny glass vial, a swirling amber coloured liquid that looked on fire itself. Layla drank it and immediately slumped against Ashdeer.
He looked at Azriel and said, "I need to ensure she is comfortable Azriel. I will join you for dinner in a bit, but I need to settle her in. Even this much exertion is too much for her."
Layla rasped against his chest, "The gift....Ashdeer.....the gift..."
Ashdeer patted her hair and said, "I will give it to Azriel, Layla assuredly I will. Just rest now and take it easy, I don't want you feeling more sick."
He slowly lifted her in his arms and took her away from the room. Azriel sat down numb in shock. How could someone so lovely, so vibrant and alive like Layla waste away like this? What had happened to her? How would Ashdeer cope with Layla and herself? Her mind was racing as she sat back down in her seat. She felt rather foolish sitting there alone, but Ashdeer had instructed her to wait for him, so she decided to do so.
The Book said, "Lovely hisser...lover...gone...wasting sickness...broken....."
She responded crossly to the Book, "All you do is speak in riddles and confuse me more than ever. I can't handle this right now."
The Book was silent.
Ashdeer returned in some time and said, "I apologize for this. Layla tried very hard to receive you well. She was very keen to meet you, but unfortunately her sickness has progressed too much for her to manage even a small meeting."
He sat down hurriedly and said, "Before we eat Azriel, Layla has a gift for you which I have promised her I will give you. Her request is that you wear it always in your neck as a sign of the bond of a sister-wife."
He took out a small pendant, which Azriel recognized as platinum. It was carved into the figure of a dragon and semi-precious stones were set on it all over, in green and grey. Except the dragon's eyes, which were a glowing red with fat little rubies set in. Azriel held it and then noticed the same symbol of the Phoenix on it's back."
She shuddered and wondered how Layla was aware of so much but thanked Ashdeer quietly as he placed it in a small chain around her neck. His fingers grazed her back for a moment, but then he quickly removed them and smiled at her to say, "So then, shall we eat."