Begin Reading
Table of Contents
About the Author
Copyright Page
Thank you for buying this
Tom Doherty Associates ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
For email updates on the author, click here.
The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied so that you can enjoy reading it on your personal devices. This e-book is for your personal use only. You may not print or post this e-book, or make this e-book publicly available in any way. You may not copy, reproduce, or upload this e-book, other than to read it on one of your personal devices.
Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.
For Emma, who knows the distances
CHARACTERS
REGIAL FAMILY
CHARYN D’REX Rex of Solidar
CHELIA D’LORIEN Charyn’s mother, widow of Rex Lorien
BHAYRN D’LORIEN Brother of Charyn
ALORYANA D’LORIEN Imager and sister of Charyn
HIGH HOLDERS
ALMEIDA D’ALTE L’Excelsis
AISHFORD D’ALTE Nordeau
BASALYT D’ALTE Bartolan, High Councilor
CALKORAN D’ALTE Vaestora, High Councilor
CHAELTAR D’ALTE Estisle, High Councilor
DELCOEUR D’ALTE [FERRAND] L’Excelsis
FHAEDYRK D’ALTE Dyrkholm, Head, High Holders’ Council
FHERNON D’ALTE L’Excelsis
GHASPHAR D’ALTE Nacliano
HAEBYN D’ALTE Piedryn
KHUNTHAN D’ALTE Eshtora, High Councilor
LAEVORYN D’ALTE L’Excelsis
LAASTYN D’ALTE Charpen
MOERYN D’ALTE Khelgror
MEINYT D’ALTE Alkyra
NACRYON D’ALTE Mantes
NUALT D’ALTE Barna
OLEFSYRT D’ALTE Noira
OSKARYN D’ALTE Cloisonyt
PAELLYT D’ALTE Sommeil
PLESSAN D’ALTE L’Excelsis
REGIAL D’ALTE Montagne, minor son of Ryentar, Charyn’s deceased uncle
RUELYR D’ALTE Ruile
RYEL D’ALTE Karyel, minor nephew of Chelia, his guardian
SAEFFEN D’ALTE L’Excelsis
SHENDAEL D’ALTE L’Excelsis
SOUVEN D’ALTE Dueraan
STAENDEN D’ALTE Tacqueville
THYSOR D’ALTE Extela
THURL D’ALTE Extela
VAUN D’ALTE Tilbora
ZAERLYN D’ALTE Rivages, brother of Maitre Alyna
IMAGERS
ALASTAR Maitre D’Image
ALYNA Maitre D’Image, wife of Alastar
BELSIOR Maitre D’Structure
CHARLINA Maitre D’Structure
GAELLEN Maitre D’Structure, healer
HOWAL Maitre D’Aspect
KAYLET Maitre D’Aspect, assistant stablemaster
LHENDYR Maitre D’Aspect
LYSTARA Maitre D’Aspect, daughter of Alastar and Alyna
MALYNA Maitre D’Aspect, niece of Alyna
THELIA Maitre D’Aspect, Collegium bookkeeper
YULLA Maitre D’Aspect
ISKHAR Chorister of the Collegium
ARION Maitre D’Esprit, Maitre of Westisle Collegium
SELIORA Maitre D’Structure, Westisle, wife of Arion
LYNZIA Maitre D’Aspect, Westisle
TAUREK Maitre D’Structure, Maitre of Estisle Collegium
CELIENA Maitre D’Structure, Estisle
FACTORS
CUIPRYN D’FACTORIUS Brass/copper
ELTHYRD D’FACTORIUS Timber, lumber, Chief, Factors’ Council, L’Excelsis
ESHMAEL D’FACTORIUS Cloth and ceramics
ESTAFEN D’FACTORIUS Banque D’Excelsis, ironworks
HARLL D’FACTORIUS Brick and stone, Factors’ Council, Montagne
HISARIO D’FACTORIUS Shipping, Factors’ Council, Liantiago
JHALIOST D’FACTORIUS Salt, coal, Factors’ Council, Khelghor
KARL D’FACTORIUS Coal, mining
KATHILA D’FACTORIA Spices, scents, and oils
LYTHORYN D’FACTORIUS Mining, custom minting
ROBLEN D’FACTORIUS Woolens and cloth
PAERSYT D’FACTORIUS Custom forging
THALMYN D’FACTORIUS Fishing, Factors’ Council, Tilbora
WALLTYL D’FACTORIUS Coaches, carriages, wagons
WEEZYR D’FACTORIUS Banque D’Aluse
GUILDERS
GASSEL Master Stonemason
ARGENTYL Master Silversmith, head of Metalworkers’ Guild
OTHERS
VAELLN D’CORPS Marshal of the Army
MAUREK D’CORPS Vice-Marshal
TYNAN D’NAVIA Sea Marshal
CHAALT D’CORPS Commander, Chief of Staff
LUERRYN D’CORPS Subcommander
AEVIDYR D’SOLIDAR Minister of Administration
ALUCAR D’SOLIDAR Minister of Finance
SANAFRYT D’SOLIDAR Minister of Justice
REFAAL D’ANOMEN Chorister, Anomen D’Excelsis
SAERLET D’ANOMEN Chorister, Anomen D’Rex
PROLOGUE
At a quint past seventh glass, on the last night of Avryl, Charyn stood at the window and looked out into the twilight sky, his eyes taking in the golden half orb of Artiema nearly overhead, and the nearly full small disc of Erion. The hunter pursuing the goddess of life and love.
With a wry smile, he turned and departed the Rex’s sitting room, walking along the south corridor and across the landing at the top of the grand staircase and then into the small sitting room that adjoined the grand ballroom. He wore the close-fitting jacket of regial green, trimmed in silver, with silver buckles, a pale green shirt and black cravat, and black trousers. His belt was black and matched his highly polished black dress boots. None of that felt strange. He’d worn the same clothing to balls for years. The difference from what he’d worn to the Year-Turn Ball two months earlier was the addition of the gold-edged deep green formal sash that signified he was the Rex Regis of Solidar.
In less than half a glass he would be presiding over the Spring-Turn Ball, rather than his father. He still had trouble at times believing his father was dead, shot by an assassin at the end of the Year-Turn Ball, all the result of a plot by Charyn’s own, and now-dead, uncle.
Because Charyn was unmarried, he would escort his mother Chelia into the ball, but that presented a problem for Charyn regarding his younger brother Bhayrn, also unmarried, because Bhayrn had no one to escort, since Charyn and Bhayrn’s younger sister Aloryana had turned out to be an imager. Including her under the circumstances of the past few
months would have been seen as too great a break with tradition at present, and not having another member of the regial family would have openly revealed how few regials there remained. For that reason, Charyn and Chelia had come up with the alternative of including Charyn’s distant cousin Malyna in the family party. Although Malyna was a junior imager maitre, she had been the one to save Charyn and the rest of the regial family from the assassins. Also, since she was an imager, Charyn could not marry her, but as both a heroine and the daughter of a distinguished High Holder, her presence with the diminished regial family would create no rumors about marriage while suggesting that Charyn intended to maintain strong ties with both High Holders and the Collegium Imago.
At least, that’s the hope, thought Charyn, as he closed the sitting room door and looked to where his brother stood beside one of the chairs, glowering, and then to his mother, who wore a gown of regial green trimmed in black.
“You look very regial,” observed Chelia.
“He should,” said Bhayrn sourly, walking to the sideboard that did not contain refreshments. “He’s the Rex.”
“Bhayrn,” said Chelia firmly, but not loudly.
“I know. I know. It’s just that I’m not looking forward to being inspected like a bargain bull, the one some High Holder’s daughter will settle for if she can’t land Charyn.”
“Do you think it’s going to be any better for Charyn?” asked Chelia. “Any woman in her right mind is going to be wary of marrying into this family—unless she or her family are desperate. Or unless she’s truly in love with either of you.”
“You make us sound like—”
“Like we are?” replied Chelia. “Aren’t we? Just remember. At the last ball you were complaining that no one would pay you any attention at all.”
“It’s … never mind.” Bhayrn flushed and looked away.
Charyn decided to say nothing, although he definitely understood Bhayrn’s feelings, particularly since he’d had to accept the fact that he, in many ways, was more constrained by his position than was his brother. Were he Bhayrn, Charyn could have married Palenya, although it would have raised eyebrows and caused a minor scandal. Instead, she was now the musician for the Collegium, with a comfortable stipend as well. That had been all that Charyn had been able to do for all she had given him. Rather … all she would accept.
Charyn shook his head. For the coming two glasses, he would need to dance with eligible High Holders’ daughters, as well as a few other women, all of them far older than he, as well as be cheerful, warm, and welcoming to all those at the ball.
Just before half past the glass, the door to the sitting room opened, and Malyna entered, wearing the same gown she had worn at the Year-Turn Ball, high-necked and of a deep teal that fringed on the regial colors, confirming her relationship to the regial line. The imager maitre was barely twenty, almost petite, if too trimly muscular for that, and half a head shorter than Charyn. Her skin was a light almost unnoticeable honeyed brown, a reminder of the Pharsi forebears in both her lineage and Charyn’s. Intent black eyes fixed squarely on Charyn as she stopped a yard or so away and offered the slightest of curtseys and said, “Good evening, Rex Charyn, Lady Chelia, Lord Bhayrn.”
“Good evening, Malyna,” replied Chelia warmly. “It’s good to see you again. I hope you can enjoy this ball.”
Malyna smiled in return. “I’d like to … very much.”
With Malyna’s entrance, Charyn realized again how much he missed Aloryana. You need to visit the Collegium before long.
“How is Aloryana?” asked Chelia.
“She’s doing well. I understand she might be a third by fall if she keeps up the way she’s been doing, almost certainly by year end. She and Lystara are getting along well.” A hint of a grin crossed her lips. “I’ve enjoyed watching them.”
“You mean that Aloryana is acting the way Lystara did toward you when you lived in the Maitre’s house?” asked Chelia.
“There are similarities.”
Charyn found himself smiling as he listened.
Before all that long, or so it seemed, the chimes sounded eighth glass, and Charyn looked to Chelia. “It’s time.”
Within moments, Bhayrn led the way into the ballroom, escorting Malyna, while Charyn followed with his mother. Immediately, the players began the “Processional of the Rex.”
Ahead of them, Bhayrn and Malyna took a position before the dais on which the musicians were seated, just to the left of the center. Charyn and Chelia took their place to the right. Charyn remembered to gesture, and a brief fanfare followed.
“Maitre Alastar D’Image, Maitre Alyna D’Image,” announced the Chateau herald.
Charyn watched as the pair who ruled the Collegium Imago approached him and the small regial group. Alastar’s once-silver-gray hair was even more streaked with white. Beside him walked Maitre Alyna, a good head shorter than her husband, an older version of Malyna, unsurprisingly, given that she was the younger maitre’s aunt. Both inclined their heads slightly. Charyn responded with an equal nod. Then the two maitres took a position a yard or so to Chelia’s left.
Then came the High Councilors, followed by the members of the Factors’ Council of Solidar. Once the last of the factor councilors had been announced, the orchestra began to play, and Charyn turned to his mother, took her hand, and began the dance. Behind them, Bhayrn danced with Malyna.
“You know, I never danced with Palenya,” said Charyn, to the only person to whom he could safely have said that.
“You miss her, I know, but you’ll find someone, and a ball is a good place to start looking. Just don’t stop looking until you find someone whose presence and love is strong enough. Give it time. Even if you find the right woman tonight, you won’t be ready to commit to her for a very long time … and you shouldn’t.” Chelia smiled. “That’s all I’ll say about that.”
“For now, that is.” Charyn gave a warm but sardonic smile.
“Of course.”
After the very short first dance ended, Charyn guided his mother to Bhayrn for the younger man’s dance with her. Then Charyn turned to Malyna. “Might I have the next dance?”
“You might.”
As they moved across the polished floor, he said, “I see that two of your uncles are here. Did Maitre Alastar have anything to do with that? Or your father?”
“Are you asking me to divulge family secrets?”
“Only if you’re willing. Besides…” Charyn let the words hang.
“You’ll assume they did.” Malyna finished the thought. “With reason. Father doesn’t like to come to L’Excelsis, but he and Maitre Alastar did prevail on Uncle Calkoran to accept the position as High Councilor. I think all that they had to do was ask him if he wanted another member of the Council like your late uncle.” Malyna smiled sweetly.
“I have to admit your uncles have a better record than mine—on either side.” Charyn didn’t even have to mention Ryentar, his father’s brother, who had willingly been the figurehead for the last High Holders’ revolt. “But then, that’s why I’ve relied on you and your family. What other advice might you have for me?”
“One advises the Rex with great care, I’ve been told.”
“Since you saved my life, you needn’t be so careful.”
“What if I choose to be?”
“That’s a good question, and I won’t press you.”
“I told you before that if you could not change the times, you needed to change yourself. You’ve apparently done some of each. It still might not be enough.”
“My late uncle Ryel made me well aware of that. The question is how much do I need to change.”
“You’d know more of that than I. And, no, that’s not an equivocation or evasion.”
“From you … I’ll accept such an answer. And from my mother, and Aloryana.”
“You miss Palenya, don’t you?”
That surprised Charyn. In all the time Malyna had stayed at the Chateau, she’d never mentioned Palenya e
xcept in Palenya’s capacity as Chateau musician. “Why do you say that?”
“Because it’s true.”
“It’s that obvious?”
Malyna shook her head. “I’ve talked to her. She worries about you.”
“She always did.”
“Then don’t make her worry more. She knows it wouldn’t have worked, even if she had been able to have children.”
“She told you to say that?” asked Charyn wryly.
“Not in quite those words, but yes.”
“It appears that all the women who are family,” or were that close in another way, “have decided the course of my marital future.”
“Who else would care as much for you, and not just because Solidar desperately needs an heir?”
“From you, I especially appreciate that.” Since Charyn really didn’t want to make small talk, he just enjoyed dancing the last moments of the first melody. Then, he guided Malyna to the dais, where, not totally surprisingly, Ferron D’Fhernon-Alte waited.
The young High Holder heir inclined his head. “Rex Charyn, if I might ask Maitre Malyna for a dance?”
“You need only her permission, Ferron.”
“I’d be happy to accept, Ferron,” said Malyna.
Charyn did not shake his head, although he had hoped Ferron would not pursue Malyna, since it would lead only to his heartbreak. He turned, looking for another partner, one who would be pleasant, but not emotionally taxing.
Charyn moved away from the dais and his family toward the nearest young woman whose name he knew, stopping short of her father. “Good evening, High Holder Taulyn.”
“Good evening, Rex Charyn.”
Charyn turned. “Mistress Diasyra, might I have the pleasure of the next dance?”
“I’d be honored, Lord Charyn.” Her voice was more assured than it had been at the previous ball.
Charyn inclined his head, then eased Diasyra out onto the dancing area. “Did you enjoy the last ball?”
Her first response was a slightly flustered smile. “I did, but I don’t remember that much, except that I danced with you. I hope I wasn’t an embarrassment.”
Endgames Page 1