2. A Trump
Call (Three Months
Earlier).
The library was Elektra’s favorite room in the old vast manor of her father. That was where her friends dwelled, countless friends, shelf upon shelf upon shelf of them, waiting to be taken into her lap, and caressed by her long fingers so they could start whispering softly the knowledge of a thousand worlds into Brand’s daughter’s ear. Late at night, when the candles were extinguished and the house quieted down, that was a place to find her while her other friends – a multitude of stuffed animals she always took to her high, spacious, curtained bed – were patiently waiting sometimes till the first light of an early morning.
Just as she put aside a thick volume and was reaching up the shelf for another one, she felt a dull aching near the base of her neck. Slowly, she slid back into her armchair closing her eyes tightly, concentrating on the image of a man in a dark room. His head was somewhat turned away so she could not make out his features, but an unmistakable feeling of power emanated from his imposing figure. So her trump calls to Wraithlight were finally answered. She feverishly tried to recall her many times rehearsed speech, but her mind turned totally blank. She saw nothing of a teenager who she had played with so carefree in the gardens of her father’s estate. Did he recognize her? She felt her face and neck blushing deep red, almost matching the long tresses falling on her bare shoulders in complete disarray. Her hands instinctively pulled down the hem of her rather skimpy, almost see-through, nightgown as she struggled for words.
“Lord Wraithlight, I’m Elektra, daughter of Brand. Perhaps you recall… We’ve been acquainted a long time ago... The reason I bother you is that I must travel to the Courts and... I don’t know anyone else in there... I thought you might be so kind as to render you assistance and protection...” She felt the nightgown strap slipping off her shoulder, as if to complete her ordeal...
Wraithlight smiled, his face still almost completely obscured, just a faint light glowed in the shadows that were his eyes. “Indeed, I do remember you, my lady. How could I forget?” He leaned forward, his face emerging from the twilight. Only a little remained of the boy she had once known, his face having had grown hard and gaunt. “I have little time for the…tedium of the courts. But mayhap your presence will alleviate the monotony. Certainly I have only…fond memories…of our time together. As for my assistance, I shall be pleased to lend you what help I can.” A faint smile played across Wraithlight’s lips as her nightgown began its unexpected descent. “I look forward to your arrival. Already I can see that your presence will be most…pleasurable.”
Her heart was still racing, but the tears in her eyes subdued somewhat as she pulled herself together. She was mad at Wraithlight for catching her completely off-guard, she was mad at herself for being caught so, she was mad at the whole world for not folding neatly to fit her designs... Her skin could feel his eyes… This was definitely not what she had planned so carefully, but Elektra always got very calm when she was mad. “And already I’m thankful, my lord, for your kind words, and your remembrance which is most dear to me. But you must forgive my appearance, I didn’t expect your call at such late hour…”
Not even bothering with the damn strap, she lifted her hands, her fingers brushing her hair, bringing most of it up front, a free fall of auburn cascades having covered the alabaster of her exposed shoulders and upper breasts, which by now had returned to their natural color. The hem pulled up again of course, but this time no more than she had intended… She followed up with Number 6.
One of these days, she would write “Elektra’s Guide to Charming Smiles.” A chapter for each one – detailed directions, drawings, and exercises of course, as one must practice a lot. A charming smile is not just a matter of lips or eyes, but is a well-coordinated effort of one’s whole body to convey a specific image. Number 6 was Graceful Vulnerability.
“I shall commence my preparations soon, though it may take me awhile to reach the courts… Oh, I can’t wait that long! Tell me, tell me, my dear friend, how have you been all this time?”
She switched to Number 11, Breathless Anticipation. Perhaps, he would give her something to work with. Besides, she was genuinely intrigued. Just look at Wraithlight! Granted, not exactly a standard of handsomeness… but… what a forceful presence! One must be a fool to have such a man for an enemy. As for a friend… she wished she knew the answer…
There was a long pause while Wraithlight seemed to digest her words. She sensed he was distracted by other events, yet he still stared at her with those burning eyes. Finally, to her surprise, a small smile slid across his face. “My apologies my dear, your smile brought back fond memories, quite a distraction in fact”
Wraithlight’s mind raced, despite his calm demeanor. She was no weakling this one... but she had connections, and perhaps, by pulling the right strings, she could be ... controlled... no that was the wrong word... influenced... that was better. After all, her father was a Prince of Amber. Her actions could so easily be used to... engineer changes. He redirected his focus to Elektra. “My life’s been... interesting… since we last met. And I find myself in vastly different circumstances to that of my youth. But such stories should be saved, after all... we should have something to talk about during your stay.”
Good plan... plenty of potential here. All he needed to do was to ensure he had the will to do what must be done. He must put childhood foolishness behind him. There was no place for sentiment here. This girl could be his path to greatness. A victory over Amber, no matter how subtle, should improve his status to no end in these trying times.
She nodded slowly. So his circumstances had changed. And what was that supposed to mean? Perhaps not to the better at all. I have little time for the tedium of courts. Perhaps it was those at the courts who did not have time for him… Wraithlight was scheming something – she could feel it. Well, hopefully he would not think of including a provincial girl who writes children books into his grand designs…
“I’m afraid I can’t say the same about my life, my dear friend, our Shadow being rather away from any significant events. Not as though I’m complaining, on the contrary, I’m perfectly content with peace and quiet. I intend to devote myself to historical studies and writings. That’s the reason for my travel to the Courts. You see, I’m currently working on my first book… it’s a children’s book actually, but it only makes it harder to write. I hope the first hand experience at the Courts would provide inspiration for that part describing our early history and our forefather Dworkin.”
She could not read from his face whether or not he believed her. She hoped he did, would make a lot of things much simpler. But he must, he knew of her fondness for books…
Wraithlight’s face was unreadable. “I shall be looking forward toward your arrival with most impatience my lady.”
They exchanged another volley of insincere smiles before breaking the contact.
