Chapter Text
The king came and spoke to me.
“Seriously, Pheris, it’s time you moved out of this closet.” It was nearly dawn, but my closet had no windows. “I suppose at least no one can see the light.”
Between us we lit the small lantern so he could see my signs. Neither of us mentioned that there were many free rooms in the attendants’ apartments now.
“So how was it, sitting up there? How did you climb up anyway?”
You can climb up the trunk if the elephant doesn’t mind.
“And if you’re not too hefty, I suppose. You got to know the elephants? I’m surprised the handlers let you near.”
I was helping.
“If you say so.”
Your Majesty, did you know the men were slaves? Or they were, but what if they have families?
“Yes, yes, Kamet has been diligent in informing me. I’ve told him he has to sort it out if he’s so concerned.” All right. That sounded fine.
“Anyway I didn’t come here to talk about elephants. Apparently in spite of having quite enough people to oversee already the captain of the queen’s guard also finds time to worry about the safety of my youngest attendant.”
I’m sorry, your Majesty.
“Don’t be, he’s not wrong.” He sighed. “We all miss Relius. We must just do the best we can, Pheris. I hope you have some ideas too, unless you’ve been wasting all your spare time mucking out elephants.”
I sat up, smiling, much happier.
What you said, your Majesty, about sitting on an elephant? Just for those few moments it felt like being on top of the world.
Even as I said it, I had a sudden terrifying thought. But no. He hated crowds and people shouting at him. Then I thought again of him admiring the gaudy uniforms of the handlers and wished I hadn’t said anything that might give him ideas.
No.
Surely not…
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