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Patricia Reding
a book bubble about
SELECT
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Author Insight
Representation
Tanith's plan moves forward as she leaves her daughter, Chaya, in the hands of her assistants, including Sabra. Sabra always grabs my attention. As the story mentions, she seems to act as an "emotional appendage" to Tanith. I actually took this idea from what I've seen in the practice of law over the years. I've discovered that people often choose legal counsel that reflects their own personality. The most obvious example I ever experienced of this was with a negotiation I handled years ago for my client. Opposing counsel was difficult to reach, difficult to talk to, abusive, verbally insulting--and he was dishonest (yes, he outright lied) about our prior communications--which I was later able to substantiate with documentation. The funny thing was that his client kept communicating with mine during that period, and he also (a relatively famous personality who later moved on to politics) was difficult to talk to, abusive, verbally insulting, and dishonest about things that were proven to the contrary. (Years later, he fell from his political post with disgrace. I can't say I was sorry to see it happen.) I don't think it was any mistake that the other party chose such representation. In a similar manner, Tanith chose Sabra do to her dirty work. Have you every experienced something of this nature for yourself?
Book Excerpt
SELECT
They walked down the dark wood-paneled hallway. Candles on the sconces, flickered. Shadows danced on the walls.
Tanith approached the door to her personal maid’s quarters. “Sabra!” she called as she marched in, unannounced.
“Ma’am?” The woman, sitting at her desk, looked up.
Chaya hated Sabra, who acted as an emotional appendage to Tanith. If her mother was in a foul mood—which was nearly always—so too was Sabra. A petty woman, not above using her close relationship to Tanith to get her way when she dealt with others, the woman exuded wickedness.
“It’s time. I’ve ordered Yemina to send a bath here immediately. Bisma will see to her hair and Cenka to the other details.”
“I understand, madam.”
“She’s in your care now. You’ve got until dinnertime.”
“And Ophelie has her assignment?” Sabra asked.
“Ophelie will not— Ophelie’s been sent away,” Tanith said, disdainfully.
Chaya gasped. “Sent away!”
Tanith turned her way, her lips set in a hard line, her nostrils flaring. “You do as you’re told. If Sabra or the others have any problem with you, you’ll answer to me,” she said, pointing to herself. She turned her attention back to her maid. “See to it!” she ordered, and then, she left.
“Well? What are you waiting for?”
“Ma’am?”
“Everything off. Hurry! We haven’t much time.”
As Chaya undressed, a knock came at the door.
“It’s Yemina,” a voice called out, “here with the bath.”
How Chaya withstood the next hours, she could never recall. Her only connection to anyone who’d ever looked after her, who’d ever cared for her, was gone. What had Tanith done to Ophelie? And why now, when Ophelie had been so close to taking her away?
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