“Praeger, then,” she continued “do you know why you are being held here?” The man nodded slowly up and down. “Praeger, there are eye-witnesses who claim to have seen you with a bow. They say it was, without doubt, you who released that arrow which came so near to striking my person. Do you deny that this is so?”
Without raising his gaze from the floor, the man shook his head from side to side. No denial, then.
“Praeger, do you have any reason to want me dead?” Praeger looked up and met her eyes. His own were tortured.
“I – no, my lady – not for myself, anyway, only he says it must be done…”
“Who said? Did someone recruit you to try and kill me? Who was it, Praeger?”
“I – I don’t know his name, Lady. A highborn lord, he was. Expensive clothes; black hair and brows. He says the young king’d fallen under the influence of an evil witch, and that with her sorcery, she’d charmed all the palace folk into settin’ her up as regent for keeps. He says it were a dark day for every good citizen, and that the king must be saved from her wicked control, or terrible things’d happen. He tells me he’s lookin’ for a brave soul to rid the land of this canker once and fer all.”
Lady Rey, while taken aback by the horribly false characterization Drogue’s twisted mind had invented, wanted to understand more.
“And, how came you to this highborn man you did not know, Praeger?” Somehow she sensed that her repeated use of his given name was cutting him to the quick, wearing him down, as if she was seeing into his soul. He was trembling uncontrollably again.
“Two men. They come to my door and they shove their way in. They was ugly, ma’am – sinister, if ye know what I mean. My wife, she were terrible afeared o’ them. But they smiled and spake as they were there to do us a great favor. Says they’d heard we’d fallen on hard times, and asks if I might be willin’ to do their master a service for a price. I didna like their looks, ma’am, I swear it, but we needed money so badly, and they didna seem the sort to take kindly to not getting’ their way, if ye take my meanin’, ma’am. So I – I says I might be interested. They blindfold me right there, and push me out o’ the house. We was on horseback, seemed a fair many hours, and then, I were standin’ in this big room, all fashioned o’ raw timbers, an’ I am starin’ right at this highborn lord, sittin’ in a big chair, som’at like a throne it were. He smiles at me, and speaks o’ how he has to stay hid because o’ politics an’ bad forces in the palace and some such, but he swears he just wants to save our little king from the Shadow. I tell you truly, ma’am, I didna have a good feeling about him from the start. All that secrecy, and the thugs that do his biddin’, and the smilin’…. He never stopped smilin’, but it just didna seem true, you understand, my lady? I was dead afraid of him an’ his men, knowin’ they knew where my family was….” Praeger coughed. Jorelial Rey could see that his lips were dry and cracked, and motioned for the guards to bring him water. The man gulped down a healthy swallow, water pouring down from the corners of his mouth onto his shirt and the floor. He looked up at her with a flicker of gratitude in his eyes, and went on, “They offered me silver. So much silver, I could hardly believe my eyes, an’ I couldna turn ‘em down. For all I knew, he might’ve been right about those at the palace; how could I know such things?” He hung his head, “Once they had my word on’t, I were bound to go through with the act, terrible as that seems, my lady.”
“Why did you need the money, Praeger? Have you no honest business?”
He straightened slightly at the implication in that question, “I am a fletcher, my lady, a maker of bows, arrows and crossbows. If I might say it myself, I am right good at my craft, and had a good business too – a fine business until…until…” The man began to weep openly at that, his nose running unchecked and tears streaming in rivulets down his grimy face, “It’s my little girl, ma’am. My little girl’s been sick for such a long time. We’ve tried everythin’ to help ‘er, the missus an’ me, she being our only babe, an’ the apple of ‘er mum’s eye. We’ve taken ‘er to healers an’ apothecaries and wise women – sold everythin’ we had for medicines and treatments and spell removals, but nothin’ seems to help. My wife an’ I, we’ve been that desperate to save her, our little jewel, and in just the past year we have spent all our savin’s, and all the money I had for supplies, and my business has fallen by the wayside.” He wailed uncontrollably now, and she could barely make out what he was saying, “We have lost everythin’ now, and her so sick and like to die anyway. I just couldna pass up another chance to save her, Lady. It was just one shot, and he said I were doin’ my country a great service. I wanted to believe it were heaven sent and all would be alright, but I’m no killer, I. A deer, or a goose, maybe, once in awhile, for my family, but I never willfully killed anybody in my life. Oh, gods, help me, I’ve done a terrible thing! But it was all for my Lynette, my little angel…and now they will have no father, no husband to keep them from the beggar’s life.” Praeger’s head drooped forward, and he wept noisily.
Jorelial Rey hadn’t planned to feel sympathy for the attacker who had nearly succeeded in ending her brief life. But the man’s story moved her deeply. Watching him dissolve in sobs of anguish before her eyes, it certainly rang true. And she already knew what Drogue was capable of – using another’s misfortune to his own nasty advantage seemed completely in character. She took a few moments to consider her options and their probable consequences, pacing the floor of Boone’s office, as was her usual habit while thinking. Then she made a swift decision. She reached into the girdle of her dress and pulled out a small purse of gold coins she carried for emergencies. Before General Boone could ask her what she was up to, she had flung it into the little man’s lap, where it landed with a jingle. Praeger looked up, startled, “My lady?” while Boone simultaneously queried, “Lady Rey, what are you doing?”
She motioned for a guard to loose the man’s bonds, while she addressed the prisoner with authority. “That is for your daughter. Send this very hour for your family. I will send riders to fetch them to Theriole, where you will all be housed under our personal protection for the time being, in case Lord Drogue, or his thugs, should seek to mete out punishment for your ‘failure’. I shall send my personal physician to look over your little girl and see if anything can be done for her. After a suitable interval, we will help you set your shop back on its feet, here in the capitol, where it should attract good custom. All of that, in exchange for your personal pledge here and now, that you will do no more harm intentionally, in your lifetime, and that you will swear fealty to King Darian and his rightfully appointed Regent. Oh, and there is one other person to whom you owe a debt. The man who saved my life lies even now in my quarters, gravely injured at your hands. When he recovers, and we must all pray fervently that he will, you will go before him and apologize, and offer your service to him in any capacity and for any duration he may see fit to ask of you as payment for his injury, suffering, and lost time. He is a fair man, and I trust will ask of you only what is just. Do you agree to these terms?”
Boone was purple, and interrupted her, “My lady, what are you doing? As head of security, I am afraid I cannot allow you to let this criminal go free…”
“General, while I appreciate your concern, I have pronounced my judgment in accordance with my conscience, and what I consider to be the highest good in this situation. Your support…”
“But, my lady, this is unheard of! This man tried to kill you. What if next time he succeeds, or comes after the king? The penalty for treason is death, or at least imprisonment…”
Jorelial Rey looked squarely at the prisoner, and very pointedly said, “Oh, I don’t think we will see any more trouble from this quarter, will we, Master Praeger?” The man had been sitting in shock, mouth and eyes wide open, barely comprehending the generous offer before him, or the twist his fortunes seemed to have taken in a few moments time. He sat speechless for a beat, staring up at
Jorelial Rey, and then, realizing that a response was required, he spluttered, “Oh, no, my lady, no indeed. I have no stomach to hurt anybody or anythin’ ever again. You have no reason to be afeard o’ me.”
“Do you then accept my terms, as I have lined them out for you?” Another pause while the man wrapped his mind around all that she was offering. Then he threw himself on the ground, grabbing her ankles and kissing her feet, weeping and exclaiming, “Oh, my lady, you are no witch, but an angel – an angel o’ compassion you are. Yes, yes, I accept with all my heart! I swear never to seek to harm a soul, and that my arm an’ skills, my mind an’ heart will ever be at the service of the rightful King Darian, and his lovely Regent, the Lady Rey. An’ I will atone for whatever harm I’ve done to that injured young man as my arrow pierced. I promise it all on my daughter’s life.” The guards had stiffened in readiness when the man catapulted out of his seat, but relaxed once they realized what was going on. Jorelial Rey was not entirely comfortable with all the groveling, but thought it salutary for the man to suffer some mortification for his terrible error in judgment. Responding to his last profound oath, she responded, “Amen, and let us hope it is a long and happy life you swear on; we shall do everything in our power to insure it.”
“Oh, my lady, thank ye, thank ye. I am yer man forever. The gods be kind to ye, and to our good King Darian. Thank ye, thank ye.”
With some difficulty, she managed to extricate herself from his grip, and restore the man to his seat. “Prove me wise, Master Praeger, and I will be satisfied,” she said, and then, “I must go. General Boone, please insure that the terms of my offer are carried out to the letter, immediately.” And adding, in a low voice, for his ears only, “While your expert counsel is invaluable to me, General, I would appreciate it if you did not publicly contradict my direct orders in the future. You’ll have to trust a little that I know what I am doing.”
Boone scratched his head and shook it, incredulous, “My apologies, Lady Rey, I stand corrected. Only looking out for your safety, you understand?”
“Of course I do. No harm done.”
The General walked her to the door, Praeger laughing and crying in the background.
“You know,” Boone mused, “I was sure you were making a grave error, but I have to give you credit – I do believe that man who nearly killed you only hours ago would gladly die for you now.”
She gave him a wry smile, “Well, let’s hope he never has to, nor anyone else for that matter. Thank you, General. Your support is much appreciated. And now, I fear, I must show my face at the banquet, at least briefly, to reassure our citizens. I wish you good rest. Until tomorrow.”
“Until then, my lady.” He bowed, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. She turned and strode off toward the Great Hall, feeling proud of herself and gratified to have won Boone over in the end. That was no small achievement, especially having stood up to him the way she did. She did not know where she had found the grit to do that. But apparently, it had been the right way to show her competence. At the first bend in the corridor, she noticed that Boone had sent a guard to shadow her movements, and was frankly glad of it.
For the next few hours, though she had been up since before dawn, and was bone tired, Jorelial Rey managed to circulate among the various coronation guests – lords, ladies, delegates, ambassadors, and dignitaries – with grace, charm, courtly wit, and as close to genuine warmth as she could muster. These people had come from all over the kingdom to support and celebrate the crowning of a new king, and it was a very real part of her duties as regent to come to know all of them, and show them hospitality. She managed to give each visiting family a moment of personal attention, which they might recall favorably when they were back at home in their own castles and provinces. She tried to make each guest feel special, and valued. She listened to their concerns, promised to look into things, allayed any fears they might have about the dramas of the day, and managed to reassure the entire company that all was well and truly under control. It was almost midnight when the last of the guests finally took their leave, and Lord Maygrew sidled up to her and whispered, “Your diplomatic skills are most impressive, and your instincts and stamina nothing short of miraculous, but you must be exhausted. I think you have done your duty twice over. Go and get some rest. After today’s events, I am grateful we are both here to bid each other a good night. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow.” He squeezed her shoulder and went off to retire for the night.
Sagging, as the last of her poised façade fell away, Jorelial Rey stood in the center of the floor, blinking, unable to take another step. A strong arm across her shoulders urged her toward the door. She looked up – it was Mark, harp in one hand, and supporting her weight with the other. “Come on,” he chirped cheerfully, “What a day it has been! Let’s go find that wife of mine and call it a night, eh? Where to, sis?”
Tired as she was, and grateful for his timely assistance, she didn’t even mind the informality, “Ummmm…I left her at Tvrdik’s bedside in my chambers. We didn’t want him to be left alone tonight.”
“All-righty, then, you lead the way, and I’ll keep you from falling over.” The two of them made their weary way back to her suite, and entered without any announcement. They found Stewart and Tvrdik in much the same positions in which she had left them, and Delphine was dozing in the chair, holding his hand in hers. She looked cherubic in the soft candlelight, and Mark halted to regard her there, disarmed. He put his finger to his lips in a hushing gesture, then tiptoed up to his new bride and kissed her on the forehead. Delphine was startled awake, but when she saw the grinning face of her groom hovering over her, she smiled, rose, and buried her face in his chest, as his arms wrapped round her. After giving them a moment, Jorelial asked, “How is Tvrdik? Any change?”
Delphine lifted her face long enough to respond, “He’s been sleeping almost the whole time you were gone. He opened his eyes once, saw my face and muttered something about how sorry he was about the coat. Then he drifted off again. Can you imagine him worrying about the silly coat at a time like this?”
“Yes, I can.” Jorelial answered, rolling her eyes up to the heavens.
I sent Warlowe and the nurse away. It was getting late, and I didn’t think there was anything else they could do.”
“That’s fine. I’m glad you did.”
“I’m a little worried that his face seemed to be getting warmer this last hour, but maybe it was my imagination…”
“I can take it from here. Thank you for covering these last few hours. I was able to attend to a lot of important tasks.”
Mark chuckled, “I watched her playing ‘royal host’ at the banquet, and was amazed.”
Rel shrugged, “Not my favorite part of the job, but all those visitors deserved a little personal attention. Listen, it’s late, I know, but Tashroth is still standing by to take you two away to the lake. You’ve both been wonderful, but everything is under control now. You should go.”
They exchanged a look between them, and then turned back to her. Delphine spoke for both of them, “No, Rel, we don’t want to leave you after the day you’ve had. Thanks, but it is not important.”
“It most certainly is important. Today is your wedding day – once in a lifetime. The opportunity to get away might not come again anytime soon. You said yourself, no one can do anything else here tonight, and it would make me feel so much better if I thought that at least you two were happy somewhere. Please? Tash will take you to our very favorite place. No one will disturb you there. I’ve packed everything you will need for a few days – I hope I haven’t forgotten anything. He’ll help you get set up, and flame a campfire for you. Then he’ll let you have some privacy, and look in on you now and again to make sure you don’t need anything else. You two can relax, away from all of this drama, and then signal him when you want to come home. If I really need you, I can always send him with a message to fetch you.” The couple sti
ll hesitated, glancing from Tvrdik’s still form, to Jorelial, to each other’s uncertain faces. Rel continued to urge them, “It’s so peaceful and beautiful there. You can swim, or walk, or just lie around and enjoy the view. Please go.”
This time Mark was the one who spoke, “What if we all tried to get some sleep now, and then, if everything still seems stable in the morning, we’ll go, first thing. Sound good?”
There was a pause, as Rel considered. Delphine added, “Rel, we are grateful for this wonderful gift, but I think we will all feel clearer about everything in the morning.”
Jorelial Rey sighed, and nodded, “Alright. Get some sleep. I hope to send you off with a good heart early tomorrow. Just one thing – do you think you could manage a little detour up to the north tower and let Tashroth know? He’s been waiting for word, and I don’t think I should leave our patient alone…”
Mark’s eyebrows arched in alarm, but Delphine elbowed him and smiled at her sister, “Consider it done. And, dear sister, you are also in need of some sleep. Shall we call someone to take over here?”
“No, no, I’m here now and wide awake. He’s sleeping – I’ll get help later.”
Delphine kissed her sister, and Mark gave her an awkward hug, and they let themselves out, leaving her alone with the sleeping wizard and the oversized dog. She glanced sidelong at her patient. He seemed so peaceful for the moment that she dared to slip into the adjoining room, stripped off the confining gown she had been wearing all day, washed, put on loose britches and a plain tunic with soft boots, and unbound and brushed her long, dark hair. Somewhat refreshed, and now, at least, comfortable, she tiptoed back into the bedchamber to check on her charge. Stewart was now on the floor at the foot of the bed, but sound asleep. Quietly, Rel crept up to the big soft chair by Tvrdik’s head, but as she leaned in to check on him by the dim light, she noticed a less peaceful expression, and beads of sweat collecting on his face. So, Delphine had not been imagining it; there was fever. Likely the wound had become infected, despite their best efforts. She wasn’t sure how serious that could be, but knew it was not what they had hoped for. She pulled the patient’s blankets up under his chin, and wrung out a damp cloth by the bedside to cool his brow again.
The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare Page 29