He faced the last four. “Come with me to Sinnath’s mistress’ house. He must not be allowed to enter it. He may try to take hostages there.” Without waiting to see if the men obeyed, he ran ahead of them in the direction of the house. He did not think it likely Sinnath would return there, but he wanted to make sure his guards got back-up in case they were needed. As he ran, he tried to put himself in Sinnath’s shoes. What would the man do now? Where would he go?
~84~
CAUGHT!
Sinnath missed the arrival of the six new guards. But he knew that his next moves must be quick and decisive if he had any hope of salvaging his position. His first thought had been to go to the castle and see if he could take Marja hostage. But he realized that such a move would only prove his guilt. His only hope lay in convincing the rest of the council, friends all, to side with him against Klast. He was aware of the discomfort some still felt around Klast and hoped to persuade them that Klast could not be trusted, that he had been spreading rumours to discredit Sinnath, that the attack which had resulted in Brensa’s capture was a random act by brigands. It might work, if he got to them soon enough, if they were not already suspicious of him, if no one had been told he was suspect, if, if if ... It was a long shot, but also his only chance.
He hurried to his home. From there he would have his wife tell anyone who came to see him that he was not at home, that she did not know where he was. He would send messages with two of the men he employed to guard his home, and whom he trusted, to the other members of the council, asking them to meet secretly.
Of course, wording the message had to be perfect. They must agree to see him without Gaelen’s knowledge. As he made his way home, taking care that no one saw him, he went over his message: “We have a traitor in our midst, just as Gaelen suspected. I have evidence you will wish to hear. Lord Gaelen will not wish to believe it. We must be certain before we confront him. We must show unity….” Yes, that ought to work. He smiled at his own cleverness. This would get rid of Klast for good. He looked about, saw no one, and slipped through a back door in the wall surrounding his home. He nodded to the guard there.
“Daresh, fetch Failest and meet me in my private chamber immediately. The safety of Bargia is in peril. We must act quickly.”
The stunned guard hurried to do as he was bid.
* * *
What Sinnath did not count on was the arrival of an entire cadre of twenty soldiers, led by Grenth. He posted ten around the perimeter of the wall, with orders to let no one leave.
Grenth took the remaining men and scaled the wall by a ladder they had brought. Once inside, he commandeered a small chamber, where he had two guards hold all who happened to cross their path, including Sinnath’s wife, Marlis, who sputtered indignantly to no avail. The party worked quietly and efficiently, so all who entered their view were taken by surprise.
All, that is, except the lone man outside Sinnath’s private chamber. As soon as he saw the intruders he shouted a warning to Sinnath. They silenced him with a swift dagger across his throat.
When they burst into Sinnath’s room they were met by three drawn swords.
Sinnath recognized Grenth immediately and realized that he was beaten. “Put down your weapons, men. We are too late.”
His guards gaped in disbelief, but when they saw that Sinnath had laid his sword on the table and backed away, they hesitated only long enough to be disarmed and held between Grenth’s men.
Aside from the man at the door, no blood had been shed. Sinnath and his two guards were marched away in manacles, and the rest of the household put under house arrest.
Still arrogant and proud, Sinnath held his head high, and eyes straight ahead, as they marched him to the dungeon.
Grenth sent one guard in search of Gaelen and another for Klast.
~85~
STRATEGIES
Gaelen dodged a feint from his sparring partner outside the barracks at weapons practice. Now that the demesne had resumed its normal pace, he could afford some time to rebuild his fighting skills. He enjoyed the hard exercise and found that it cleared his mind as well as hardened his body and honed his reflexes. He immediately spotted the lone guard arriving as the man came into his line of vision. The man stood respectfully to the side, waiting for Gaelen to tell him he might approach. Gaelen gave his sparring partner the signal to desist and waved the guard over.
As soon as Gaelen saw the ring and heard what had happened, he sent four soldiers to guard Marja with orders to tell her to wait in their chambers until his return.
Gaelen left immediately for the inn with one of the guards. He sent the other back to Klast, both to let Klast know his message had been safely received and to provide more backup if he needed it.
Gaelen arrived at the Cock and Pheasant to find Klast’s last guard standing outside the prisoner’s room. He ordered ale, fresh bread and cheese from Norlain. He also sent some to the guard upstairs and received a grateful salute of thanks. Then he settled down to wait.
Norlain hastened to the kitchen and did not appear again. Instead, Haslin came out to look after their illustrious guest, trying to hide his nervousness behind effusive affability.
Gaelen wondered at the man’s uneasiness and Norlain’s rapid exit. He hoped Klast would not be long, in the event that he had been set up. Two common guards were not many to protect him if Haslin had his own plans, especially if those guards belonged to Sinnath’s group.
Normally, Gaelen travelled with two of his elite guard. But with things quiet in Bargia and still much to do and few able bodies to do it, he had lost the habit of that precaution. As the wait stretched out, he squirmed at his oversight.
Gaelen hailed Klast’s arrival with relief. Only later, over a private goblet of wine in their secret meeting room, would he admit the reason.
At Gaelen’s invitation, Klast sat down. Gaelen beckoned to Haslin to bring more ale and food. The ale was fresh, the dark rye bread still steamed and the sheep’s cheese was better that most. Gaelen watched Klast wolf it down and wondered how long it had been since he had eaten.
In between mouthfuls Klast brought him up to date. Halfway through the tale, Klast stopped and apologized to Gaelen for his ill manners.
Gaelen only laughed, clapped him on the shoulder, and ordered him to finish his meal. He had more than earned it.
Gaelen had waited almost three spans before Klast finally arrived. Klast explained that he had returned to Sinnath’s mistress’ house to see to the safety of the woman and children. He had feared Sinnath might be desperate enough to try to take siege of the house. Faced with an enraged Sinnath, the guards might have given in to his authority, in spite of Klast’s orders.
On hearing that Klast had sent Grenth to Sinnath’s home, Gaelen nodded. “Grenth will know what to do. He has been prepared for this possibility.” Gaelen shook his head at this turn of events. Though he had known this was coming, it still saddened him to know that Sinnath had persisted in his treason.
“Once I posted the additional guards and gave them further orders to keep Sinnath out, I came here straightaway,” Klast went on. “Now we need whatever evidence we may find upstairs. Without it Sinnath may yet sway the council.”
“Possibly, though I think the council will be wary.” Gaelen ordered more ale, and the two put their heads together. They agreed that even if nothing could be found in Ornan’s room to incriminate Sinnath, the right pressure would induce their prisoner to talk. With Ornan’s information, the evidence from Sinnath’s desk and the statement from Markel’s man, they would have enough to bring Sinnath to trial.
Gaelen decided to interrogate the trader himself, with Klast as witness. Meanwhile, Sinnath must be kept isolated and would not receive an audience until he could be brought before the whole advisory council. That confrontation would take place only after all the evidence had been assembled and presented to them in an organized fashion. Not until the council had seen and heard all they had uncovered would Sinnath
be given the opportunity to speak. Nothing must be left to chance.
Their consultation finished, they went to search the prisoner’s room. They found only the ring in its pouch. But with the lad’s word that it was the same one he had taken to Sinnath’s house, it would serve as further evidence.
“Your son might be needed as a witness. You and your family must remain in Bargia until we tell you otherwise,” Gaelen told Haslin.
“As you wish, my lord.” Haslin seemed unperturbed by the news. Gaelen now understood this was because Klast had kept his promise not to expose Norlain.
The two men left together and headed back to the castle. Klast insisted on accompanying Gaelen in the absence of the elite guard. Now that matters had heated up, Gaelen could see the wisdom in this and did not protest. But when Klast told him he would check on their prisoner, Gaelen held up his hand to forestall him.
“My friend, the prisoner will be there on the morrow. I see that you are exhausted. Tend to your arm. Then get some sleep. You will think more clearly for it. I wish to hear what he has to say, but before we speak with him I want to examine the correspondence you found under Sinnath’s table. It may help us in our interrogation.” He waved off Klast’s feeble attempt at protest and bade him goodnight.
Klast acquiesced with a weary bow. “As you wish, my lord.”
Gaelen shook his head at Klast’s back with a wry smile. The man never forgot his place. Would he ever relax? Gaelen turned back to the castle and went in search of Marja.
~86~
NO USE
Brensa emerged from her chamber late the next morning. She had remained there all the previous day and refused to open her door or take food. Finally, Marja had simply let her be. Now Brensa read the unspoken questions on Marja’s face. But Marja surprised her by not asking them right away. Instead she busied herself with making tea. She said nothing until it had steeped.
“Brensa, please have tea with me and eat something. Whatever has happened, we will weather it together. Come. Sit. Tell me what happened. It can help, I know.” Marja indicated the large chair beside her and went to the brazier to pour the raspberry and camomile tea that sat there keeping hot. She turned to Brensa as she poured. “Shall I add honey?” Not waiting for an answer she stirred in a liberal dose.
Accustomed as she was to obeying Marja, there seemed nothing for it but that Brensa must sit and accept the tea, so she nodded bleakly and sank into the chair. In a way, she was grateful that Marja had taken charge. She felt unable even to decide what to eat at the moment. So she watched dully as Marja took a platter and arranged a small slice of fresh, buttered spelt bread, a wedge of pale sheep’s cheese and two new plums on it. When Marja put it into her hands and instructed her to eat, she complied more out of the lack of energy to refuse than the desire for food. Still, when the tea and food settled in her stomach, she began to feel a little better.
Brensa knew her reprieve would not last. Marja waited and watched her for several moments, sipping on her own tea and nibbling on some bread and honey. She poured a second cup for Brensa, laced it again with honey and, seeing that Brensa’s plate was mostly empty, finally decided to press her more directly.
“Brensa, you must tell me what Lotha said. Is something seriously wrong with you? We will not leave this room until I know what ails you. I cannot watch you suffer so in silence.”
After another long pause, Brensa flashed Marja an accusing look. “How can I speak my heart’s desire when I know you dislike Klast so? You barely tolerate him.”
Marja’s eyes widened in surprise. “Brensa, I will be forever grateful to Klast for twice saving your life. It is true, I cannot love him as you do, but I know him to be a good and true man, loyal to Lord Gaelen. If I could help bring the two of you together I would. Please, speak what is in your heart that saddens you so.”
On hearing this, Brensa felt tears prick her eyes and threaten to spill down her cheeks. She held them in check by sheer force of will. Brensa had not truly opened up since her experience in the cave in spite of Marja’s attempts to get her to talk. She had believed that Marja would never understand and that she still disapproved of Klast.
Marja opened her hands in supplication. “Brensa, I love you and want you to find contentment. I have missed you sorely. While you have been here in body, I have not truly had you with me since coming to Bargia. I have tried, but you have not trusted me. Please trust me now. Tell me what I may do.”
Brensa stared, incredulous. “You want me to be with him?”
“If it is what you wish. You love him. I have known that for a long time.” Marja knelt by Brensa’s chair. The words came out so softly, and Brensa saw such concern in her friend’s face that she burst into tears. Marja squeezed beside her into the large chair and pulled her close, rocking her silently. Finally, Brensa broke the silence.
“But I cannot!” she wailed.
“Why can you not? Has he said so?”
“No, he wants me. He has offered to join with me. But I cannot give him what a wife gives a man.” Brensa’s head dropped in dejection.
“Did Lotha say you must not? Are you so damaged?”
“No,” Brensa whispered, turning away, “my body is whole.”
“Then what is it that prevents you from accepting?”
“He will grow to hate me. I am too afraid to lie with any man, even him. I have not the courage.” Brensa no longer even tried to hold back her sobs.
Marja remained silent. Finally, she ventured, “Brensa, if we truly desire it, anything is possible … even this.”
After a moment she added in a decisive tone, “You must speak of this to Klast. Perhaps he will help you find a solution. He is resourceful and,” her voice gained confidence as she spoke, “his love for you will inspire patience. I do know him to be a patient man.”
Brensa’s sobs subsided. Marja gave her another quick hug and pulled back to meet her eyes. “Yes, that is what you must do. It will be hard, but just as you have done with me, you must find the courage to speak to Klast.”
Marja spoke this with such confidence and determination that some of it reached Brensa, and she began to think more clearly. She refused to meet Marja’s eyes for a moment. Then she nodded in resignation. “You are right. I must, though I do not know how.” She met Marja’s eyes again. “Oh my lady, I hope I can find the strength.”
~87~
REQUEST FOR AN AUDIENCE
Gaelen spotted Messalia’s man, Sorliss, waiting for him at the entrance to the castle, anxiously shifting from foot to foot. Sorliss hurried over to speak with him. The guards accompanying Gaelen intercepted him with swords drawn, demanding to know his business.
“I have a m’essage for you, Lord Gaelen, from Messalia.”
When it became apparent that he meant no harm, Gaelen waved the guards away. “What message have you?”
“She respectfully requests an audience with you. She says to tell you she has important information concerning the security of Bargia that she believes you will wish to hear as soon as possible.”
“I see.” Gaelen thought a moment. Then, aware of the position Messalia enjoyed, answered, “Tell her she may come to the council chamber at one span past dawn. Advise her that I will have a scribe and some of my advisors there as well. We will wish to record what she has to tell us.”
Gaelen planned to have all the members but Sinnath there, partly to impress upon Messalia that he had too much to do to meet with her alone, and partly to make her get to the point. If her information proved no more than speculation or hearsay, she would embarrass herself and understand that she had no influence with him or the council.
Sorliss bowed deeply. “Thank you, my lord. I will inform her.” He stood to the side and waited respectfully while Gaelen turned and entered the castle.
Once inside, Gaelen sent a separate guard to inform each of his council members, swearing them all to secrecy, and one to find Klast to make sure he would be there as well. He was taking a
risk in calling this meeting, but if Messalia had information about Sinnath, all of them needed to hear it … before he informed them of Sinnath’s arrest. Until now, only Grenth knew of it. He also called on one of his spies to watch Messalia’s house and movements. Something about this did not sit right with him; he mistrusted it. He knew Messalia was no true seer. Liethis had confirmed that suspicion long ago. He wondered if the rest of the council understood it, too, or if any actually trusted her. Until now, it had not been important.
As Gaelen turned toward the stairs to his chambers he spotted Marja waiting on the bottom step. She had come down to greet him and accompany him to supper. A surge of pride squared his tired shoulders, and he beamed at her. She was so beautiful, now that she had recovered after losing weight during the plague. She bloomed with health, and her growing bulge had become obvious. A son, my heir, he thought, his smile widening as she approached.
“You look tired, my love,” she murmured as she embraced him. “It is late, but I have kept a platter hot on the brazier for you. I think it will not be over dry yet. You have made do with cold meals too long. Come.”
Gaelen kept his arm loosely about her waist as they ascended the stairs together. “We have Sinnath,” he murmured, rubbing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.
~88~
A SHOWDOWN
Messalia understood the warning in Gaelen’s response. That he wanted to meet with the council meant he did not trust her. Or that he considered her so important that he wanted them all to hear her story. Or he wanted everyone to hear her, so she could incriminate herself and be immediately arrested. Or … she could think of a few more possibilities but eliminated them as preposterous. Unless she had already been betrayed, she saw no possibility that Gaelen could be aware of what she wished to reveal. Or … Sinnath was a member of that council. If he were there he would know that she meant to expose him. If not, then Gaelen already suspected him. She had no idea which way it would go. An error in judgment or a slip of the tongue could be her undoing, and she might well find herself swinging at the end of a rope in the public square or with her head in a basket. If she had had it to do over again she would have waited. Too late to change her mind now.
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