by Ally Shields
They formed a long sweeping line, and it didn’t take long to flush three of the escapees into the open. They erupted onto the road, bows drawn. Trystan ordered them to halt and surrender. When they ignored the order, he took down the leader with a thrown knife.
“Submit, in the name of the king!” Trystan snapped. The two bowmen hesitated only an instant before kneeling and placing their weapons on the ground.
The guards moved in, pulled the wounded leader to his feet, and took all three into custody.
“Who are they?” Brunic asked, looking at Trystan.
“Traitors. And apparently killers.” He stared icily at the injured man. “Where is Dreysel? And the other two?”
“There are no others…my lord.” The man lifted an arrogant chin.
“Not only traitors but liars. We know Dreysel brought you here.”
“How can we be traitors? Are we not required to follow the orders of the crown?” The man had a half smile on his lips as if he enjoyed taunting the prince.
Trystan’s gaze narrowed. “I gave you no orders.”
“You aren’t the only member of the royal family.” The man’s voice slid across the silence as smooth as oil. “Not to belabor the point, but you aren’t the only Cyrilian prince.”
“Tad.” Trystan appeared frozen with shock, and then he whirled, his face flushing an angry red. “Where is my brother?” His fiery gaze landed on his personal guard. “Find him and bring him to me.”
The man nodded, looked quickly around, and hurried toward the guild.
That little snake. Even before Trystan said Tad’s name, Kam had known what was coming and scanned the immediate area. The younger prince was not with them. In fact, she couldn’t remember seeing him since the guild.
Trystan clenched his jaw. “I knew he was jealous and dissatisfied. He’s pulled a whole lot of wild stunts I won’t bore you with. I thought he would grow up, but this…” He cut himself off, as if realizing how damning those few words had been. “He has overstepped his authority this time.”
Brunic scowled at his men who’d been watching the scene unfold. “What are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear? There’s at least three more out there. Find them.”
The guards sprang back into action and resumed the search.
The captain turned an assessing look on Trystan, and Kam stepped forward. “Just so there’s no misunderstanding, Prince Trystan came through the portal with us tonight. He fought against the intruders.” She glanced at the Cyrilian. “I don’t believe he sanctioned this invasion. In fact, I hope our two worlds can find a way to work together…and that’s he’s willing to try.”
Seth stepped forward to join them. “I agree, Captain. It is the best solution.”
The captain and the prince eyed each other, and Trystan stuck out his hand first.
Brunic didn’t hesitate to reciprocate, but his expression remained stern. “You saved my life, and I thank you. But I can’t allow you to run around Elvenrude without authorization. You’re here without official permission, and the only one who can grant it is King Seliwyn.”
Trystan held his gaze a moment.
Kam tensed, watching Trystan’s expression change as he struggled between impatience to get on with the chase and proper protocol.
“Very well,” he finally said. “I would require the same. I would be honored to meet your king.”
On the short walk to the palace grounds, Brunic stayed on Trystan’s right. Seth quickly stepped up on his left before one of the guards made this look like the official escort of a detainee. Kam fell into step beside Brunic, and he looked at her frequently as if he wanted to say something but not in front of the others.
She finally nudged him and kept her voice low. “It’ll be all right. He wants to do the right thing.”
Brunic grabbed her arm, effectively pulling them behind as the others kept walking. “I’m not worried about him. I’m worried about you. This is all going to take some explaining. Your avoidance of the summons has not gone unnoticed, and the palace hasn’t been in the mood to listen recently.”
“What are you saying?”
“If Seliwyn insists on detaining you…”
“Oh, that. Don’t resist. Got it.”
“Is something wrong?” Seth stopped and turned back.
“Brunic’s concerned you and I are still on Seliwyn’s bad list.” She said it nonchalantly, but Seth got the point and gave a one-shoulder shrug.
Trystan looked on in interest. He’d obviously heard more than intended, and his lips twitched.
“Not a problem, Captain. We’ll cope.” Seth held out an arm to Kam in invitation. When she joined him, he wrapped it around her. “Perhaps we should talk with the king briefly before Trystan is announced.” He looked at the Cyrilian. “There’s a little confusion we need to clear up.”
Trystan’s smile broadened. “By all means.”
Brunic cleared his throat. He didn’t need to say anything. His face said it for him. He didn’t consider a King’s Summons a little confusion. Brunic finally rubbed his chin. “I’d better go in before any of you. Smooth the way, so to speak.”
* * *
The guards outside the king’s chambers were so interested in Trystan they paid very little attention to Kam and Seth. At least no one had yet attempted to take them into custody. Trystan seemed at ease, ignoring the furtive glances thrown his way. Kam admired his calm. If you were the head of a monarchy, you were probably used to people staring at you. But not in the middle of a foreign and possibly hostile world.
Brunic was inside the King’s Chambers more than ten minutes. Kam was getting edgy. Even Seth glanced at the closed doors several times. Perhaps easing his own nerves, Rhyden struck up a quiet conversation with one of the guards. Trystan stood by himself, patiently waiting.
Finally the doors opened and Brunic appeared. “King Seliwyn would like to see you. All of you.” He stood aside and motioned with his hand for them to precede him. When everyone was inside, he pulled the doors closed and shut out the curious guards.
Except for four bodyguards standing at attention at the sides of the room, King Seliwyn and his daughter Princess Theanne were the only occupants of the room. They were seated in ornate, ivory chairs at the front, both wearing formal Elvenrudian robes of a deep forest green. The color of the robes contrasted with the silver-gray eyes that proved their royal lineage.
Formality. Surely this was a good thing.
Seliwyn rose and went directly to the Cyrilian. “Welcome to Elvenrude, Prince Trystan. I understand I should thank you for saving the life of the captain of my guards.”
Trystan made a small incline of his head as befitted one ruler acknowledging another. “I thank you for your warm greeting. I am pleased to have been of assistance, although I believe my people have caused more harm than my simple act can repair.”
Seliwyn returned the formal greeting. “Captain Brunic has told me some of your story. I am eager to hear the rest.” He turned to look at Kam with a bland expression. “And to know the part my lieutenant and our special guardsmen have played in these events. But first, I wish to present my daughter, the Princess Theanne.” He led the Cyrilian toward the young woman and completed the introductions.
Kam glanced at Seth and lifted a brow. What on earth had Brunic said to make their monarch so amiable? Of course, maybe it was the princess’s presence. The young woman was lively but extremely level-headed. Perhaps she brought out the best in her father.
Seliwyn invited everyone to be seated. Refreshments were brought in, and the events of the last two weeks unfolded—at least the New Orleans side of the story—as Kam, Seth, Rhyden, and even Trystan told their part. For obvious reasons, neither Seliwyn nor Trystan related any of the events occurring in their home kingdoms.
Kam quickly realized she would have to be patient a little longer to learn the exact events in Elvenrude that had gotten her and Seth into so much trouble. During the discussion, Seliwyn didn’t smile or banter with
her like he often did, and she wasn’t sure how to interpret that. Was he still angry or just restrained by present company?
Seliwyn wasn’t very talkative with anyone. He mostly listened, sometimes asking for clarification of facts or more detail. Princess Theanne, on the other hand, was outgoing and intrigued by it all. Kam smiled to see the young woman wasn’t so proper she was afraid to ask questions.
At a break in the conversation, Theanne turned to her father. “Are these really the people you issued the King’s Summons for? From what I’ve heard, they’ve been our greatest defenders.”
Silence. Kam didn’t dare breathe or look at anyone. But she felt a most unwelcome laugh bubbling in her throat. No. She couldn’t. She reached for her wineglass and took a sip, hoping she could drown her ill-timed sense of humor.
“My dear daughter, I don’t believe Prince Trystan wants to hear about that unfortunate misunderstanding.” Seliwyn’s voice was tight.
Trystan rescued them. “I’m glad I’m not the only one subject to misunderstandings. I’m concerned mine, however, have been more serious. I hope you will excuse me, your majesty, so that with your permission I may locate my errant brother. I had hoped he would be retrieved before now. Unless I find him, he may involve himself in further mischief.”
Seliwyn rose, bringing everyone else to their feet. “By all means, I will keep you no longer. I presume you will be leaving Elvenrude as soon as he is found.” It wasn’t a suggestion, but it wasn’t an order either.
“I hope to be gone within the hour.”
“If you aren’t able to conclude your business tonight, please return to the palace as my guest.” Seliwyn was all smiles now. “In any case, I sincerely hope we are able to meet again soon. An alliance or treaty between our two worlds would go a long way toward avoiding future incidents.”
“I agree further talks are needed. As for availing myself of your hospitality, I hope that won’t become necessary, but I appreciate the offer.”
OK. Enough talk. Kam glanced toward the back again. She was growing more uncomfortable by the minute with Tad’s unexplained absence and no word of the other three escapees.
A rapping at the chamber’s entrance drew her attention. Finally. This must be the news they’d waited for.
Brunic hurried to open the doors. He returned immediately, his face pale. “Your majesty, I was just informed…Jermon Lormarc has escaped.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“No! How is this possible?” Seliwyn’s voice boomed in the shocked silence.
Brunic urged the messenger toward the front of the room. “I’ll let him explain while I get the word out to the search parties.” Without waiting for the king’s reaction, Brunic hurried into the hallway already shouting orders.
“Holy Hades,” Seth muttered. “Are we never to be finished with my uncle’s disgraces?”
Kam grabbed his sleeve. “Could Dreysel and Andolf have done this?”
“Shh. Let’s hear what he says before we jump to conclusions.” He and Kam moved closer to the nervous guardsman.
“Well,” the king snapped. “Explain.”
“I was on duty as usual, your majesty. Someone knocked me out. From behind, I guess. I woke on the floor, and my keys were gone. The guard in the hallway said he saw nothing. Since Lormarc was our only prisoner, we checked his cell immediately. The door was open, and he was gone.” The man looked bewildered as if he hardly believed his own story. “I swear that’s what happened.”
“Who did this? Who hit you?”
“That’s just it. I don’t know. I didn’t see anyone, but I have the bump to prove it happened.” He rubbed his head.
Kam look at Seth. “It’s the Cyrilians, cloaked by magic. That’s why they breached the portal.”
“You think we did this?” Trystan’s face held disbelief.
“Not you. But Andolf and Dreysel or Tad. Maybe all three.”
“Why? What would they want with your prisoner?”
“You tell me.” Seliwyn’s look was no longer friendly. “Is this why you came here? To keep us busy while they finished their task?”
The guards moved toward the king, reacting to his tone. He held up a hand to stop them but kept his gaze on the Cyrilian prince.
“Certainly not. I thought I’d made it clear these men are not acting under my orders. I’d never heard of this criminal until now.” Trystan turned to Seth. “Did I hear you say this prisoner is your uncle? What power does he have that would interest my brother or Dreysel?”
“None. He has no special powers,” Seth said. “Only a devious mind.”
“You really have no idea?” King Seliwyn continued to look at the prince with suspicion.
Kam shifted her feet impatiently. “This is getting us nowhere. Why don’t we find them first, and let them tell us?”
Seliwyn’s focus swung to her as if he might deliver a rebuke, but Theanne grabbed his arm. “It’s a good idea, Father. Let your people get to work.”
“You’re quite right, my dear.” He patted her hand before turning to Kam; his eyes held a warning. He jerked his head toward Trystan. “Don’t lose sight of our guest. I’d hate to have anyone else lost in our country.”
Kam and Seth hurried the Cyrilian out of the king’s chambers. “When everything is peaceful, Seliwyn is the most benevolent of monarchs,” she explained. “When things aren’t going well, we stay out of his way.” She stopped Trystan with a hand on his arm as they exited the palace. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but it appears Tad is deeply involved with this band of rogues.”
His look was resigned. “Yes. I realize that. Let’s find out what he and Dreysel hope to gain from this latest outrage.”
In spite of searching with the King’s Guards for the next two hours—and liberal uses of the citerin dust—no one caught sight of Jermon or the four Cyrilians. When the guardsmen began rechecking every place they’d already been, Kam and her companions walked toward the Ryndel Guild where the Cyrilian prisoners were still being held.
“It’s weird how quickly and completely they vanished. Is there any possible way they could have accessed the portal to New Orleans?” Kam finally asked.
“I don’t see how. Without a cross key, they’d have to follow someone through,” Rhyden said. “And the portal’s been closely watched since the breach.”
Seth came to a sudden halt, swore softly. “But Jermon has a cross key to the Lormarc portal. If they were cloaked…” He broke into a run.
They sprinted across town and were barred at the entrance to the Lormarc Guild by guards with drawn bows.
“Oh, it’s you, sir. Sorry.” The senior guard nodded to Seth and lowered his bow. “We’ve been watching for the intruders.”
“Watching the doors or the portal?” Seth asked.
“I don’t understand.” The guard looked uncomfortable. “We’ve been right here, guarding them both.”
“But have you had eyes on the portal?” Seth brushed past him and strode toward the portal area. “Could it have been accessed while you were focused on the doors?”
“That’s not possible. No one has entered the guild or gone near the portal,” the guard protested.
“No one you could see,” Seth muttered. He held out his hand with the cross key tattoo and opened the portal, accessing the logs. “Five people crossed through an hour ago.” Seth swiveled his head to look at the guard. “Unless you know who they were, the Cyrilians and Jermon have already gone through.”
“No, sir. No one was authorized,” the guard said. “I’m sorry, sir. If we—”
“It’s not your fault,” Seth interrupted. “I should have thought of this earlier.”
“Five,” Trystan said softly. “That confirms Tad is with them.”
Seth stepped into the portal and vanished. Kam turned to the guardsman. “Inform Captain Brunic the five missing men have transported to New Orleans. We’re going after them. And tell him Prince Trystan is with us.”
“Yes, Lieutenant
.” He turned and barked orders to his men.
Kam, Rhyden, and the prince entered the portal. When they arrived Cityside, Seth was talking with Lormarc Guild Master Henre and ordering the guild’s doors locked. “It’s unlikely they’re still here, but let’s use the citerin dust and search the building.”
Twenty minutes later, when every room and dark corner had been checked, they admitted the five men had made a clean escape.
“Where would they go from here?” Kam looked at Trystan. “Cyrilia?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps, if they’re looking for a temporary place to hide. I just dispatched a man to ensure our portal is monitored, but they’ve had plenty of time to already pass through. It seems to me New Orleans is a better hideout. But then, I don’t understand anything they’ve done so far.” His brows lowered. “Perhaps our prisoners can enlighten us…one of Dreysel’s friends.”
“Or Andolf’s,” Seth said. “He was held in the same facility with Jermon and has to be the connection.”
“I’m still stuck on the question Trystan asked. Why Jermon?” Kam wrinkled her forehead in confusion. “I understand why he would befriend anyone who could help him escape, but what’s he worth to the Cyrilians? They took a huge risk to free him.”
“And it cost them,” Trystan said grimly. “We now know who they are.”
“But not what they’re planning next.” Kam pulled out her phone. “I’ll alert Barrott to what’s happened, and then maybe one of your people can give us a few answers.”
When they transported back to Elvenrude, Brunic was at the Ryndel Guild waiting for them. After a short discussion, they moved the Cyrilian prisoners to the security facility and separated them for questioning.
It became clear in the first few minutes Dreysel’s closest friends wouldn’t be cooperative. They remained stubbornly silent, even arrogant at times. Andolf’s cousin proved to be a different matter. He stood up to questioning by everyone except Trystan. Under the prince’s stern gaze, he dropped his eyes. Respect for the royal family ran deep in elven clans, and Percel was no exception.