Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera #3)(267)

"The Canim have never done anything like that before," Amara said. "Or come in numbers like this." She fretted her lower lip. "Sixty thousand..."

"The next best thing to ten Legions of their own, yes," Bernard said.

There was a knock at the door. Bernard rose and went to it. His deep voice rumbled quietly as Amara finished her meal, and he returned with Plaeidus Aria in tow.

Lady Placida was once again regal, calm, and immaculately dressed in green silk. Her deep auburn hair was worn loose and flowing, and she smiled warmly at Amara as she approached and bowed her head. "Count, Countess."

Amara started to set her tea aside and rise, but Lady Placida lifted a hand. "No, Amara, please. I know you've been injured. Please, rest."

Bernard gave Lady Placida an approving glance and offered her his chair.

"No thank you, Count," she said. "I shan't keep you long. I only wanted to see you both, so that I could thank you for taking me out of that awful place. I consider myself to be deeply indebted to you both."

"Your Grace," Amara said, shaking her head. "There is no need to-"

"Thank you," Lady Placida cut in, "because you were only doing your duty and my thanks should rightfully go to the First Lord, yes, yes. Save yourself the trouble of making the speech, Amara. What you did was more than simply a job. Especially given the murky group dynamic of your associates. Which was, by the way, very well handled." Her eyes flashed, wickedly merry. "Especially the bit where you took their clothes."

Amara shook her head, and said, "It probably would have been better not to do that."

"Never fear, dear," Lady Placida said. "You're too decent to court her favor, too smart to believe everything she tells you, and too loyal to the Realm to involve yourself in her little games. You could never have been anything but In-vidia's enemy." She smiled. "You just... started it a bit early. With style."

Amara felt a little laugh escape her.

Lady Placida's expression sobered. "You went beyond the call of duty." She turned her head to Bernard and bowed again. "Both of you did. I and my lord husband are in your debt. If you are ever in need, you have only to ask."

Amara frowned at her, and then glanced at Bernard. "Is Rook...?"

"I spoke to Gaius on her behalf," Bernard said quietly. "Pardoned and free to go."

Amara smiled, somewhat surprised at the sense of satisfaction his words brought her. "Then, Lady Placida, there is something I wish to ask of you."

"Only," she said sternly, "if you stop Ladying me. I have a name, dear."

Amara's smiled widened. "Aria," she said.

"Name it."

"Rook and her daughter have nowhere to go, and don't even own the clothes on their backs. She doesn't want to remain involved in the game-not with her daughter to care for. If it isn't too much to ask, perhaps you know a steadholt where she might fit in. Somewhere quiet. Safe."

Aria pursed her lips, looking thoughtfully at Amara. "I might know such a place."

"And..." Amara smiled at Bernard. "One other thing."

"What?" Bernard said. Then his expression changed to one of understanding, and he smiled. "Oh, right."

Amara looked back at Aria and said, "She'll also need a pony. Her daughter, you see. Rook had promised her, and I want her to be able to make good on it."

"She'll need two," Bernard said, smiling at Amara. He glanced at Aria, and said, "My favor can be the other pony."