by Janeal Falor
Several minutes later, I hear the soft thud of multiple sets of footsteps coming down the hall. Inkga enters the room, followed by the guards surrounding the innkeeper’s wife. Her face is drawn into a scowl fiercer than the last one she gave me, but when she speaks, her words are cordial. “You needed me, Your Highness?”
Not how I expected my poisoner to act. “Did you help Inkga, my servant here, with getting a tray of refreshments?”
“I did.”
“Did you also know that tray held poisoned lemonade?”
Her frown falls with the drop of her mouth. “Poisoned?”
“Yes. With a most deadly one. If I wasn’t familiar with it, I would be dying right now.”
She blanches.
“Do you have anything to do with this?” I ask.
“No. I would never harm the queen.” Her voice shakes.
“What are you hiding?”
“N-nothing.”
And I’m a fila, they mythical cat that doesn't exist. “It will go easier if you tell me now.” I handle the dagger in my hand, running one of my fingers down its length.
“I don’t know anything for certain, but…”
When she doesn’t say more, I use a quiet but forceful tone. “But what?”
Her chin quivers. “I think my husband may be involved.”
“Go find the innkeeper,” I tell my guards.
Half of them break off and head out of the room. Julina stays close.
“Tell me everything,” I say. If her husband is involved, how can she not be? And though I know appearances are deceiving—I’m proof enough of that—she was the one scowling at me while he was welcoming. What is going on?
“I knew something was up when we received word you would be using our inn during your stay. He was happy but secretive. I thought maybe he was seeing another woman.” That might explain her attitude. “He snuck around a lot, coming home drunk at late hours and leaving me to tend the inn by myself. When I confronted him about it, he assured me there was no other woman and nothing was wrong. Things were about to be better than ever.”
Better than ever? By poisoning me? Something doesn’t add up.
“Then this morning he was more jovial than ever, singing and dancing through the inn, though customers were giving him funny looks. When I was back with the cook, I saw him thumbing a vial. I asked him what it was, and he snapped that it was nothing and hurried to put it in his pocket.
“When your servant came for refreshments, I helped her—yes—but I went into the kitchens without her. My husband was waiting. He told me he would take care of the drinks while I got some pastries. He even suggested adding lemonade to the tray since it was so hot out. I thought it was a good idea, though he’s not usually so generous. I figured the crown must be paying a lot for you to stay here, and he wanted to keep you on good terms. We finished the tray, and I brought it out to your servant. When I returned to the kitchen, my husband was gone. I haven’t seen him since.”
Good terms, indeed.
“Is it true she went into the kitchens without you?” I ask Inkga.
“It is.”
I nod at the innkeeper’s wife. “You are confined to another room, where one of my guards will watch over you until we get this sorted.”
“For what it’s worth, I hope you find my husband.” Her scowl returns, and she goes out the door with Piru.
She must be bitter from his actions. That, or she wants to make certain the blame gets put on him and not her. He’d better be found, either way.
“Inkga, will you take a guard and round up everyone but Shillian and Carver? I would like to talk to my council members that are here. Also let Inyi go back to sleep.” She’ll find out soon enough. I can’t deal with her fainting right now.
“I’ll be back soon, Your Majesty.” Inkga heads from the room, a guard slipping away with her.
It’s going to be a much longer night than I anticipated.
Chapter 21
Everyone is gathered around the inn’s main floor. The others pushed tables and chairs around until we could all be in a circle. The guards surround us, alternating between looking in toward the circle and looking out. Nash is on my right side, but Jaku broke protocol by being on my left.
When he was awakened he was furious we didn’t get him sooner, but he’ll have to deal with that. I can only handle so many details at a time, unless I’m working a job. Granted, I don’t do assassin jobs anymore. Sometimes I think it’d be easier than what my current work is, though.
“What’s this about?” Kada asks. “I heard screaming.”
“Uh, yes.” I don’t want to bring Nash into this any more than he already is. “Someone tried to poison my drink.”
“We’ve interrogated the wife of the innkeeper,” Julina says from behind me. “She seems to think her husband is the culprit. We have guards looking for him, and she is in custody. I have someone going to find the local guards, to see if there’s somewhere we can detain her.”
“Why was I not woken for this?” Jaku’s voice holds a note of anger.
I jump in. “We woke you as soon as we could. It happened quickly.”
“Still, I should have been notified sooner,” he says, though he sounds more mollified. “We need to see what the innkeeper has to say. How soon do you think we’ll find him?”
“With help from his wife, we’ll hopefully be able to locate him quickly. She’s giving us all the spots he’s been known to frequent.” Julina appears confident.
Sidle isn’t as much. “Hopefully? We need more than that. I can go out and help look.”
I motion for him to go with a finger. “Feel free. Anyone else?”
“I’d join, but I need to stay at your side if things continue to be dangerous,” Jaku says.
I don’t bother telling him I can protect myself. As true as it is, he can’t seem to see it. “Inkga, relate your tale to them.”
She does so. I listen for new details, but nothing stands out. When she’s finished, a few questions are asked for clarification, but nothing useful. Nash is oddly silent. I want to look at him. To ask him if he’s all right after that nightmare. The pull toward him is undeniable. It’s like we’re supposed to be together, even if the rest of the country thinks we’re not.
Maybe they’re right.
If it’s going to cause all sorts of problems for us to be together, maybe I should stop being so open with him, even in private. Not that I want to.
I just want to be with him.
“Your Majesty?” Kada’s voice pulls me out of thoughts that I shouldn’t be having at a time like this.
“Repeat the question.”
“Do you want us to wait up until they find him, or should we sleep on it until we have news?”
Either way, I won’t be rested for tomorrow. “We can sleep on it. Feel free to go back to your rooms. I’ll have someone get each of you, should any news arise.”
With the meeting at a close, Kada and Inkga enter a discussion I can’t hear. Nash and Jaku are silent at my sides, neither moving.
I don’t move either. What’s the point? Go up to my room and pretend to sleep? I suppose I could get more training in. It's a good idea. I need to stay at my prime, and it’s better than wasting my time here, doing nothing.
My ladies-in-waiting come to mind before I stand. What would they do in this circumstance? If I stand, everyone else will have to as well. Inkga and Kada are still in a conversation. I don’t wish everyone to make a big deal of me.
I let out the smallest of sighs. It doesn’t matter what I want. Everything about me is a big deal now. How I live. Stupid ideas about how I should die. I should have run to another country instead of becoming queen. But then I wouldn’t know Nash or Inkga, and I wouldn’t be able to help the people.
It’s a conundrum.
I’m about to give up and stand anyway when a guard enters the room. “We’ve found him,” he says.
“Good. Bring him in for questioning,” I say.
>
The guard nods and leaves the room. A moment later he reenters and steps to the side. A group of guards including Sidle come in, the innkeeper in the midst of them, hands tied behind his back and a guard holding each of his arms. They force him forward and onto his knees before me. The innkeeper jerks, but the men hold him steady.
“I’m going to ask you questions. You’re going to answer,” I say.
He sneers, the look not nearly as good on him as his previous cheer.
“Did you poison my drink?” I ask.
He scowls instead of replying.
I take out my dagger and brush my fingers against the flat metal. “I’m going to ask again. Did you poison my drink?”
His lips quiver, like he’s fighting himself about whether or not to speak.
I get off my chair, and everyone in the room jumps to their feet. I ignore them as I crouch down and in his face. “I’m sure you’ve heard rumors of who I am.” I lower my voice. “Should we see if those rumors are true?”
He visibly swallows. “I poisoned all the drinks on the tray sent up to you.”
Better. “Were you working alone or with someone?”
“With someone.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know. I never saw him.” His voice shakes. “He wore a hood when we met.”
Daros? I swallow back my bile. “What did he tell you?”
“He said that if I poisoned you when you came, he would reward me. Paid me a hundred gold coins in advance and said there was more coming if I did what he said. He gave me the poison. I figured I could run and hide and then come back for my wife later.”
I snort. “But you didn’t plan on being caught.”
“You didn’t care about killing your ruler?” Jaku asks.
The innkeeper gives a half shrug—about all he can manage while tied up.
“Was your wife involved?” Sidle asks.
“No. She knew nothing.”
Not that he's honest. It's difficult to say whether or not he is, but I'm inclined to believe him. “How did the man find you?”
“I don't know how. He came into my inn one day and asked to speak with me. It was late at night when no one else was around.”
“Did you notice anything else about him? Anything at all?”
He shakes his head. “It was dark and his cloak was dark.”
I’ve heard enough. “Send him to Opla. She can decide what his fate will be.”
The guards yank him to his feet and haul him out of the room while I take my seat. The remaining guards make their way to the outside of the circle, and the council members present retake their chairs.
“Who do you think is behind the plot?” Kada asks.
I wish she wouldn’t have. Ever since the innkeeper mentioned working with a cloaked man I’ve been trying not to think of it, but could it be Daros?
Nash asks just that.
“It’s uncertain.” I don’t want to give too much away, but they have a right to know. “Daros knows I’m immune to the poison the innkeeper tried to administer, but he could be toying with me.” It wouldn’t be the first time.
“So we have an unknown accomplice still roaming the streets?” Jaku leans forward. “We should go back to the palace. It’s not safe here for you.”
“It’s not safe back there, either. I am in danger wherever I go.” Besides, after the city's reception—well, most of the people with their kindness—I need to see the others around the country. I need to show them I care about them and their problems.
“I believe Her Majesty to be correct,” Sidle says. “She’s going to be in danger, no matter where we take her.”
“But we can guard her more securely at the palace,” Jaku insists.
Sidle looks at me before turning his gaze back to Jaku. “We can guard her securely here. We have enough manpower for it. We should get a taster for her food, but otherwise, I don’t think there’s anything an attacker can do to her. If they could, they would have done more than a half-hearted poison attempt.”
Jaku opens his mouth, but I beat him to it. “I agree with Sidle. We will continue with our plan, though I don’t need a taster. I’m adept enough at poisons on my own.”
“If we’re going to stay, I’m going to insist on a taster,” Jaku says.
“I won’t have that person’s death on my conscience, should they fail.”
“And I won’t have your death on my conscience, should you fail.” Jaku’s words are more heated than I’ve heard them before.
I didn’t know my life meant so much to him. “Very well. But make certain you find someone well-trained. I don’t want to have someone dying because of me.” I have enough blood on my hands.
“Consider it done.”
Now to get out of this town, where death lingers, and hope Opla can take care of the mess we leave behind without too much trouble.
Chapter 22
Despite our leaving behind at least one criminal, Opla insists we continue on with our journey. The people wave their goodbyes as I get into the carriage. The door is closed behind me, and I wave out the window.
We ride long and fast. We stop to change when we're close enough not to make too many wrinkles in our clothes, but far enough the people can't see me yet. A fresh dress for me and Inyi. Inkga helps tidy up our hair, and we’re off again.
I worry about what we left behind, for Opla to deal with—Daros or some other foe. It’s not going to go easy, either way, but I hope it’s someone else. Without any clues as to where that person might be, I’d rather deal with a stranger than Daros.
Why would Daros toy with me like that? What could he possibly gain? Not knowing is giving me a headache.
“Are you all right, Your Highness?” Inyi asks across from me.
“Fine.” As fine as one can be, with either a sadistic madman toying with her or someone wanting her dead.
“Good, because we’re almost there.”
It’s a lovely stop, with citizens who are a mix of happy and frustrated with me. They wear drab colors that either don’t match their lovely, bright-smiling faces or perfectly match their sour expressions.
I know I can’t please everyone, but it’d be nice to, anyway. The town doesn’t have much for me to do. It’s small and still growing. I make plans to help them develop their refuse system, so the streets are cleaner and there are more jobs available.
After a couple days of riding in the carriage and watching for signs of Daros, we come to another stop that has more cheerful people than not. I smile at a girl about my age. She grins back, and I can’t help feeling a connection to her. We probably have nothing in common. It’s doubtful that she’s an assassin, and she’s definitely not the queen. But we both seem to care for Valcora. It’s enough that I wish I could stop and talk to her.
There are a lot of people I wish I could stop and speak with. They are interesting, with their bright eyes and colorful jewelry made of stones and beads. I want to learn their stories, but there isn’t time for more than cursory talk.
I get more in depth with the leaders, but I only have a couple of days to spend with even them. I want to get a better idea of what they are like. How they are helping the country, and what I can do to assist.
There is a town named Ilsar we stop at where I make jobs to make better streets. Theirs are small, dirt roads that kick up a lot of dust. In a growing town, they need something better. I wish it was mason work, and I could give Carver work, but it’s a stone-layer’s job. There are many men willing and eager to get started. They seem grateful for the work and are lined up waving and smiling as I leave.
When we reach the next town, Dunin, it’s almost dark, the sun’s rays goldening the sky. Inkga gives me an encouraging smile. I return it, pretending everything is fine when all I want to do is watch for Daros. A dull ache is behind my eyes, growing by the moment. I’ll have to grin and bear through it, though. There’s supposed to be another celebration tonight.
We pass houses that are more like the s
hacks the Poruah live in, only they remain that way all through the town. Nothing is big or fancy. Like the last town, there are no bright colors when we go by the crowds. Browns and grays dominate their wardrobe.
I push thoughts of Daros and my headache aside in favor of thinking about the country. The people need something more than the last town; that much is evident. But what can I give them? How can I help them? What do they need? There must be something I can do.
We roll to a stop in front of a crowd. A servant opens the door to my carriage, and I glide out. The servant yells loud enough for all to hear, “Presenting Queen Ryn.”
The crowd cheers, a deafening sound for how much smaller their numbers are than the last town. I smile and wave, even as the noise makes my head pound.
Off to the side and toward the back, there’s a group that’s not cheering. Not that I demand praise, but these people look downright ornery. What did I do to offend them? It’s probably my being an assassin who dithers over laws. It’s enough to make me upset. Why not them as well?
I suppress a sigh and lower my hand. A man walks up to me and bows. “May I present our esteemed leader, Fulla of Trentin?”
The crowd parts, no longer cheering. A woman moves between them, coming at me with a grin and clothes fancier than the ones I’m wearing. Her yellow-green dress and its many flounces appear to be made of silk. The people are careful to stay far away from her. Once she’s several feet from me, she gives the smallest curtsy necessary. “Greetings, Your Majesty. We are overjoyed by your presence.”
“Thank you for your people’s warm welcome.” Because hers certainly wasn’t.
“You and your guests will be staying with me. My man will show you the way when you are ready. Feel free to linger with the townsfolk as long as you like, and then you will have dinner with me.”
Not a celebration? Maybe she thinks a dinner with her is celebration enough. Not that I have to have one, but every town has given one so far. I nod and smile. She gives her excuses and departs. As soon as she’s gone, I hear a cry that grows nearer. I turn to find Shillian coming at me, tears in her eyes.