Hidden Fire (The FIRE series Book 1)

by Rosemarie Cawkwell

“Gos was alive last time she saw him two weeks ago, but he was being kept in a cave in the hills behind the villa, guarded by a small army of Sumoasti. She was in a cellar in the villa itself. She escaped but couldn't get through the guards around the cave to rescue Gos.”

  “She knows how to get there though? We could send a force to rescue him?”

  “We can't raise a force in Imperial territory, the Empress would take it as a threat. No, Sarah, our agent, Alex and I must go ourselves, with half the guards. If you’ll lend us them, Harry?”.”

  “I must come too.” Phil insisted.

  Lawrence looked from his friend to his brother and Sarah; they nodded in agreement.

  “Alright then, just the five of us.”

  “Six, you're not leaving me out of this.” Harry added, “Gos is my friend as well. And you’re taking my soldiers with you. I have my responsibilities to them.””

  The rest nodded, before Lizzy protested, “You can't leave me out of this if Phil and Harry are going.”

  “We are Lizzy.” Alex sighed.

  “I can come if I want.” Lizzy said petulantly.

  “No you can't Lizzy; we need you to smile sweetly at the Empress and her Court.” Sarah reminded her.

  “We can do that Lizzy; Grandmother is already planning who she'll introduce us to.”

  “We're a distraction?”

  “And we're on holiday.”

  “I'm not, I'm working.” Sarah muttered.

  “If you want we'll handle it?”

  “And face the Duke if anything should happen to his beloved boys? Never. I'm coming with you; Lady De Narvel will just have to find Lizzy a waiting woman for a few days.”

  “Grandmother has plenty of servants who'll do for a few days.”

  “Where's our agent now?” It suddenly struck Lizzy that they were talking about the woman but had yet to see her.

  “In the hold hiding out until we leave in the morning.”

  “Send her to see me when we leave in the morning. I'd like to speak to her myself.”

  “Of course.”

  “It's a start, a start.” Phil started to laugh. He'd been so strung out since the Duke had told him his brother had disappeared while on a mission for the Office; even the news that their agent was alive and had seen his brother two weeks ago was enough to give him hope, little as it was.

  They went to bed more relaxed than they had in weeks and in the morning Lizzy interviewed their agent, although she seemed to be answering to Sarah more than Lizzy. It occurred to Lizzy afterwards that Sarah was more important in the Office than admitted to Lizzy. She would have to ask her about it.

  But not until they got home; there was too much to do in the Empire first.

  Chapter 26

  The welcome party waiting for Lizzy and her friends was surprisingly large; not only had the Embassy come out in force to meet her, the De Narvel family arrived in a barge of their own to meet Charley. Charley stood on the deck of their modest ship, little larger than a merchant’s vessel, looking out over the blue bay around which the great imperial capital rose. Ships and boats of all sizes clustered around the bay, but she was looking for one barge in particular; blue and gold with a silk canopied deck, rowed by a dozen slaves. She spotted it, beside the ambassadorial barge, pulling out of the private dockyard where the very highest in Belenosian society kept their private barges. Charley saw her grandmother resting regally among the cushions as the barge came closer. She bounced on the balls of her feet, waving and laughing.

  Lizzy smiled at her profuse excitement; Sarah and the twins watched the bay around them, standing close to Lizzy protectively, though she was unaware of their formation. Phil and the agent, who seemed to have bonded over the missing Gos in the three days they'd travelled together, waited at the prow to welcome the Ambassador.

  “And I was hoping we'd be able to arrive unnoticed.” Lawrence sighed to his brother.

  “We need Lizzy, Charley and Phil to be noticed. We three, and our silent friend, need to disappear.”

  “No, we need to be seen; it would be strange otherwise.

  A Princess wouldn't travel with such a small entourage. I suggest we appear as we nominally are, if Callia will play at being Phil's lover?”

  A laugh behind them signalled Harry's arrival on deck, “Believe me, my dear Sarah, there is no play-acting necessary.”

  Lizzy spun around, “Really?”

  “Oh yes. Definitely.” He laughed again and watched his friend and the agent down on the lower deck, “See, he's barely keeping his hands to himself.” He took Lizzy by the shoulders and made her look, properly look, at their friend.

  “They are quite close together.” Lizzy mused, “But not unusually so.”

  “Watch his hands.”

  Lizzy did as she was told, though she had never realised Harry was so observant. His time in the regiments had matured him. It was probably the responsibility of a thousand soldiers expecting him to find them food, shelter and wages every day. Lizzy smiled. Growing up could be so dull. Laughing at the thought, she returned her attention to Phil and Callia. His hands were moving more than usual, describing something as he spoke. Occasionally one hand would wander close to the agent, a stray, sly caress, unnoticed unless you were watching them. Callia turned to look at Phil, reacting to a comment. Her eyes were larger than one would expect, outlined with dark brows, finely shaped. Lizzy was surprised she didn't remember the woman from the indentured servant scandal investigation, but Office agents were meant to be unremarkable. She smiled at Phil and leaned into him. They grinned at each other and looked up to their friends on the aft deck.

  “We've been spotted.” Lizzy laughed to Harry, “Hey, you two, are you coming up here for the view or not. It's marvellous.”

  “No, we'll stay down here and meet the ambassador. You be all regal and everything up there.”

  “Regal my backside, I'm on holiday.” Lizzy grinned, getting into character. Voices travelled over water much more clearly and people would be watching, she knew.

  “Indeed, we are, my lady, indeed we are.” Callia laughed back.

  Harry stepped backwards as Lawry nudged him away.

  “Our Sumoasti friends have come to meet us.” He whispered in her ear, “No, don't move your head, pretend we haven't seen them.”

  “What do we do?”

  “Act. Everyone thinks we're idle and rich; let them continue thinking that.”

  Lizzy nodded. Lawry stepped back and smiled before starting his own act.

  “If you love birds stay down there you'll miss all the fun.”

  “We can have our own fun.”

  “Not in public!” Alex laughed, mock admonishing them.

  “Don't spoil the fun just yet, FitzAlboni.” Calia laughed and caressed Phil's shoulders.

  “I'll ban public displays of affection if you two aren't careful.” Lizzy giggled at them.

  They were interrupted by a gentle bump as the embassy barge finally pulled alongside.

  Chapter 27

  After-Midsummer A.E. 1336 Belenos

  The reception, on their small ship, was a cramped and rather hurried affair. Lizzy did her best to hide her impatience to be on land and desperate for the latest news about Gos. Sarah and Callia disappeared with Gos' aide about an hour in, while Lizzy was listening to the ambassador, drone about trade agreements and the difficulty of pinning Belenosian merchants down on a price and delivery date. Lizzy nodded, trying to concentrate, but her shoulders itched without Sarah's presence. Lizzy excused herself, disengaged from the conversation with the ambassador and went to find Charley.

  “Lady De Narvel, you've found us then?”

  “My dear Princess Elizabeth, thank you so much for bringing our dear Charlotta to visit us.”

  “Oh, well, I can hardly say no to Charley, and it's been an adventure so far. I've never been this far south or east. How do you cope with the heat?”

  “Why, dear girl, it's only just after midyear and quite cool yet; ne
xt month it'll be delightfully warm. I don't know how you manage in your cold islands, at all. Won't you stay two months and really enjoy the sun?”

  “Oh, I'd love to, but father is rather insistent I return before first harvest. We have a deal of politics on our hands at the moment. But Charley should certainly stay, if her mother allows it.”

  “Oh, I think she would; Charlotta dearest, I had a letter from your father three days ago. There are rumours that there will be war between Albon and Sumoast; do stay with us until it settles down. I'd ask you all to stay, but I understand the FitzAlboni twins are needed by their father and young Sir Philip and Sir Henry command a regiment apiece, do they not?”

  Lizzy smiled, “I'm afraid I can't say, Lady De Narvel, you never know who may be listening. Can I get you all a top up?”

  “I'll come with you Lizzy; same again Grandmama?”

  “Please dear. And another of these pastries. Your Grandfather would have loved to have met the princess.”

  “I'm sure I would have been honoured to meet him too.”

  The young women collected the food and drinks, and returned to find the ambassador talking to Lady De Narvel. They joined the conversation, though Lizzy listened more than she talked. Finally, bored of trade chatter she asked,

  “Ambassador, have you heard any news from King's Ford lately?”

  The ambassador turned red, and swallowed.

  “I have, from my friends. I received a message early this morning, we tend to do business early in the morning here, when it's cool.”

  “Yes, ambassador, you've mentioned that already. The news?”

  “Oh, yes, well. The expedition to the Rocks was a success. I understand you took part in the planning.”

  “A little, but what news?”

  “As I said, gosh it's hot isn't it, perhaps we should move into the shade of the canopy?”

  “Ambassador!”

  “Of course, well, there are rumours that the investigation found evidence that, that, oh dear, that Sumoast is behind the attacks on our ships and that they are planning to attack at the beginning of winter.”

  “Who are your friends that they would know so much, ambassador?”

  “Peterson, the news man.”

  Lizzy rolled her eyes. “Idiot Peterson, I told him not to spread rumours without seeing the evidence. This could precipitate a war. It goes no further until you verify it with the Office and Duke Alboni directly.”

  “I sent a message, coded of course, first thing this morning. As soon as I have the response I'll let you know. Have you taken a house for the summer or will you be joining us at the embassy?”

  “Of course they won't. My Granddaughter and her friends will be staying with me. The house has been far too quiet since my husband returned to the Fields.”

  “Yes, I suppose it must be. With all these young people, you'll have no peace though.”

  “I'm sure I can accommodate the temporary change, Ambassador Conort. We have a ball planned for a week today; you and your wife must join us.”

  “My wife, I regret to say, has had a religious conversion and returned to Albon to take her place in a nunnery. But, I would be delighted, Lady De Narvel, if you would honour me with the first dance on the occasion?”

  “Why, Ambassador, surely that honour should go to the Princess.”

  “Oh, but I am happy to concede it to our gracious hostess.” Lizzy smiled as the Conort blushed.

  “You have to visit the Court officially tomorrow evening, Your Highness, for your introduction to the Empress, and I believe her son Prince Cthinn-Erthy is happily waiting for your visit.”

  “Yes, ambassador, so I understand. Whose idea was that?”

  “Oh, well, they may have approached me and I sent a message to Duke Michael.”

  “Thanks Conort.”

  “Oh, I thought you might, well, everyone says it's time you married and I thought an alliance with the Empire might be beneficial.”

  “I do wish people would stop doing that.”

  “My dear these things happen.” Lady De Narvel patted Lizzy's arm, “You're not the only one who should be settled down and married now.” She winked at Charley, who rolled her eyes at her grandmother.

  “Lizzy, I was wrong, we should have stayed home; Grandmama will marry us off before we know what's happening.”

  “Now, now, ladies, you shouldn't mock such a wise, and I must say, elegant, lady; she's quite correct. After the excitement of youth, nothing gives quite so much content as a settled and companionable life with a beloved mate.”

  “Oh lor' ambassador, you sound like Father.” Alex had joined them, a glass of cherry wine in his hand and a silly grin on his face.

  “And your father would be right. When is he going to legitimise you two?”

  “Three. We have a fourteen-year-old sister, too.” Lawrence hugged his brother and laughed.

  “That's quite an age difference. You must be twenty-five or twenty-six by now. I remember your name day. The Court was in uproar and the Curates couldn't decide on the right thing to do.”

  “They, and I are twenty-seven.” Lizzy laughed.

  “My Father and birth-mother tried a reconciliation. It didn't work, and father married Lady Catherine a year later, when Elenor was three months old. Mother handed us all over to father and his wife as soon as they got back from their honeymoon. We've barely seen her since.”

  “Oh, how awful, to be cut off from your mother! You poor dear boys!”

  “Don't fret on our behalf Lady De Narvel. Our birth-mother cut herself off from us when she sent us away to school when we were five. If Father hadn't taken us in, we'd have been a deal sorrier than we appear now.”

  “The Duchess has been more mother to us than Lady Eleanor, especially to Elenor. Father took us out of school as soon as he had permanent custody of us all. As to when he'll adopt and legitimise us? That depends on our birth mother, she has refused to sign the paperwork since she gave us up.”

  This wasn't news to Lizzy or Charley; they'd both tried to convince Lady Eleanor Shipton that she should allow the adoption to go ahead, with no luck; though she didn't want her children she wasn't prepared to let anyone else have them either.

  “It's quite extraordinary; she is devoted to her legitimate children.”

  “It's Sir Jonas, Lady Eleanor's husband. He's a Traditionalist.”

  The Ambassador curled his lips. “You have my sympathy; my own former wife fell in with a group of Traditionalists and left me for a nunnery. They're poisonous.”

  “I couldn't possibly comment, and neither can the twins.”

  Lizzy elbowed Alex as he opened his mouth. He looked at her, puppy dog eyes asking what the assault was about. A raised eyebrow answered his question. Alex sighed, shrugged and nodded in agreement. He looked a Lawry, who grinned but nodded; Lizzy was right.

  It never occurred to the three of them that their silent communication might be considered odd; they did it all the time at home. Ambassador Conort had never seen it though and stepped back slightly while Lady De Narvel merely nodded as if to confirm her own suspicions and smiled at the three. Charley, who'd seen them talk to each other for twelve years rolled her eyes at the differing responses, certain her grandmother would try to get evidence from her about the twins and Lizzy's supposed telepathy. She knew it was familiarity, not magic. In Belenos such a thing would be celebrated, but not in Albon.

  “They say, Ambassador, that familiarity breeds contempt, but with these three all it did was make them more impossible. They scare so many people; we had a family of Fundamentalists at Court four or five years ago who were convinced that it was magic.”

  “Oh yes, I remember them, what were they called? They were from the western valleys, weren't they?”

  “That's right, Lizzy, the, erm, the Forthgist or something like that?”

  “Oh yes, we’ve been keeping an eye on them, or the Office have. They've been causing trouble in the valleys. You know how old fashioned they are ov
er there.”

  “Really, and what happened? When they visited the Court?” Connort hadn't heard this story before.

  “When they accused us of being possessed by devils, because we're atheists, Father had them thrown out of Court and banished to their estate for ten years.”

  “That may not have been the wisest move.” Lady De Narvel smiled.

  “Probably not, but Father had a few health problems at the time and he really didn't want to deal with their nonsense.”

  “The king is young to be unwell.”

  “Oh, it was nothing, just a lingering infection. I think he'd been overworking. He's fine now.” If she didn't think about his occasional memory loss and his swollen knees.

  “That's reassuring to hear.”

  Lizzy excused herself again and began circulating among the other guests, who were all Embassy staff and their spouses. She nodded, smiled and attempted to remember names and faces for next time.

  Just before sunset Harry sidled over, having been engaged in a deep conversation with some official or other, Lizzy couldn't for the life of her remember his name right now, and hugged her.

  “Tired?”

  “How'd you guess?”

  “You've been staring out to sea for ten minutes. I suggest we send our lovely guests away and sail into the dock?”

  “Have the captain organise it, will you? I don't think I can manage to be civil much more today.”

  “Nor I my dear, nor I. Well, except possibly with Forier.”

  “Who?”

  “Oh Lizzy, weren't you listening when I introduced him earlier? No, I suppose you weren't. Justin Forier, the ambassador's secretary.”

  Lizzy looked ’round until she spotted the young man Harry had been speaking to. She looked back at Harry, “He's pretty, but does he possess a brain?”

  “Oh yes, and a marvellous one at that. He's due home this winter.”

  “Really?”

  “Indeed, I think he's hoping for a posting in the Isles next.”

  “Isn't Joshua in Calman in need of a secretary?”

  “Joshua Sermin? I think so, or he will be soon. Will Mustard is due for retirement.”