Griff shook his head. ‘And we didn’t speak about her, either. My brothers are just a few years older than me and they were sent away apparently, so they have no memories of my birth but they can recall that everything had changed when they returned.’
‘What do you mean?’ Tess asked.
Griff looked puzzled. ‘I don’t really know. You’d have to ask them but they said there was a new feeling around the house. It wasn’t just the sadness of our mother’s death; our father had changed. He had become suspicious, very careful of strangers. We moved from the town, beyond the villages that surrounded it. We lived alone, kept ourselves to ourselves.’
‘What is your father’s line of work, Griff?’ Pilo prompted.
‘He’s a falconer.’
Pilo grinned. ‘Oh, excellent. I always wanted to train hawks.’
Griff shrugged. ‘He loved his birds but they didn’t make him very much money.’
‘And still he was able to build you a house, feed you three growing boys.’ Pilo scratched at his beard, deep in thought.
‘We never wanted for much. What are you—’
‘Nothing, I just imagine it would have been hard to do that on the little he’d earn as a falconer. I know how tightly the nobles keep their purses shut when it comes to paying for necessary services like training falcons. They don’t want to live without those services but they also don’t like paying fair wages to the men who work hard to provide them and have families to feed, clothe and put roofs over their heads.’
Griff stared at him quizzically.
Tess interpreted for him. ‘Pilo’s wondering whether your father might have had an income from somewhere else.’
He shook his head. ‘No. I was with him all the time. He only worked the birds.’
‘Then he either had money given to him or he earned a sum of money to afford what he did for you boys.’
‘What are you saying?’ Griff asked, feeling a tide of indignation move through him.
‘Calm down, Griff, I’m not insulting your father or saying he did anything bad. Listen, your mother died when you were born. Your brothers had already been sent away. Presumably the only witness to your birth was your father and perhaps a woman from the local village who helped with the birthing.’
‘And another woman, but she wasn’t local,’ Griff answered, almost by reflex.
‘Well, how do you know that?’ Tess asked, intrigued. ‘You were newborn.’
Griff frowned. ‘Well, my skill developed early and from as early as I was walking I was tapping into my father’s thoughts without realising it.’
‘And?’ Pilo prompted gently.
‘He would try not to think about the woman—and not because of me—but because it upset him. She was very beautiful, very sad. She was brought to the house in a cart with a single driver. She wore a pale hooded cloak and always kept her face covered outside.’ Griff’s frown deepened. ‘My father was nervous around her.’
‘Why would a woman scare him?’ Tess pondered.
But Pilo’s eyes were shining. ‘It wasn’t because she herself frightened him, Griff, was it? He was scared because of who she was.’
Griff spoke as though his mind was far away. He was delving back into distant memories of his father and they were carrying him to a time in his early childhood that he had buried long ago. ‘She only came to us twice. We never saw her again after the day I was born. My mother died the next morning. And my father’s grief became a permanent companion. After he buried my mother he locked her away in his mind and very rarely allowed himself to think of her. I only know what my mother looked like because he sometimes told me that I reminded him of her and when he did, I could see her in his mind. She was dark and pretty.’
‘Did your father know you could listen to his thoughts?’ Pilo asked.
‘Yes. I think he realised what I could do before I did, to be honest. After that his mind became a vault. He learned how to shut himself off from me.’
‘That’s strange, don’t you think?’ Tess said to Pilo.
Pilo shook his head slowly. ‘No, not if he was hiding a terrible secret.’
Griff stared at Pilo, barely breathing.
‘I know you hate me saying that, I can see the anger in your eyes, Griff. But I need to say this and I think you already know what’s coming.’
Griff looked at the ground between his feet, dropped his head. ‘You must be mistaken. You have to be.’
‘Griff and Lute were born and Lute was taken away?’ Tess asked for both of them, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with disbelief.
Pilo took over. ‘I think the woman you speak of is our Queen.’ He held a hand up. ‘No, hear me out, Griff. King Rodin and Queen Miralda were childless for years. They badly wanted an heir, but knowing our Queen, she really just wanted a child to love—girl or boy, she would have adored it. But Lo didn’t bless them with a son or a daughter. As I understand it, it was all but taken for granted that Rodin’s only and much younger brother, Duke Janko, would succeed to the throne upon Rodin’s death. In return, Janko threw himself wholeheartedly into supporting the throne by commanding its army, which he did with great courage, never holding back from any battle, leading his men from the front. He has become quite a hero for the realm. The people love him. But the people don’t know the true Janko. The real Janko is cruel and loves power and wealth. He craves kingship and when an heir miraculously came along, many years after most had given up the notion of Rodin and Miralda producing one, Janko was not prepared to give up his dreams of kingship. Instead he pretended loyalty, all the while putting together a small army of mercenaries who would fight for anyone who put up sufficient money—and Rodin had ensured Janko was a rich man. He certainly had the means to pay these hired soldiers. He also made a couple of attempts on the Crown Prince’s life, if I’m reading the situation correctly.’
‘What?’ Griff said, looking up in amazement. ‘Were you there?’
Pilo shook his head. ‘No, but it’s why I was hired. Miralda suspected that the fall which Janko claimed the baby prince had suffered was not so innocent. She had suspicions about Janko from early on. And it was confirmed that there were grounds for her fears when Lute was permitted to join a hunt with his father and had another fall, this time from his horse—also the result of some interference from Duke Janko.’
Tess looked astonished. ‘What happened?’
‘Oh, the detail is not important. The fall occurred and looked like an innocent accident but the boy could have easily died and I was one of the royal trackers then. It was pure coincidence that I happened along at the right time and was able to hasten the injured Prince’s return to the palace. Janko claimed he had ridden as fast as he could back to the palace for help but the physicians arrived long after I’d carried Lute to safety. Curiously, Duke Janko was not seen again for several years—he headed north and continued his heroics on the mountainous borders that are always under threat from King Besler. Once again years clouded everyone’s memories and he rose to near legendary status for the way he kept our realm so safe and Rodin learned to rely heavily on his brother’s might.’
‘But the Queen wasn’t fooled,’ Tess guessed, eyes shining.
‘Correct,’ Pilo said. ‘The truth is that she never liked or trusted the King’s brother and she decided to put in place a permanent bodyguard for the Crown Prince. She chose me and made up a title called Prince’s Aide, but neither I, nor Janko it seems, had any misconceptions about my role. I was there to protect Lute from harm, especially from his conniving uncle.’
‘Why couldn’t the King see his brother for what he is?’
Pilo shrugged. ‘Rodin is a fine king. He loves his family, loves his people, he makes very good decisions. His weakness is his brother. He seems to be blinded by his brother’s strength and courage. Rodin is no warrior and if you met them you would see an enormous difference between the two men. One is small and really quite gentle, very amusing. The other is tall, broad, handsome, lou
d and entertaining. Janko impresses most people he meets.’
‘And then he made yet another attempt,’ Griff continued.
‘That’s right, and that was the closest he’s come to succeeding.’
‘Well, he so nearly got Lute again and if not for Bitter Olof, the Duke might have finally realised his wish.’
‘He’s taken the throne anyway,’ Pilo said bitterly, ‘but we have to return it. And your magical skills will help us, Griff.’ He squeezed the boy’s shoulder.
‘What about Davren?’ Tess reminded them.
‘Yes,’ Pilo said, rousing himself from his thoughts. ‘Come on,’ he said. ‘I need to look at Davren’s wound and while I do so, Griff, tell me everything you can about Lute’s whereabouts. He’s going to a beach you say?’
Griff nodded. ‘They’ve been on the move since the early hours and are headed to the sea.’
‘I think I know what Olof’s plan is.’
‘What?’
Pilo actually laughed but it was mirthless. ‘He must be desperate because I think he’s trying to find Calico Grace.’
Griff and Tess shared a glance. It didn’t seem as though Pilo was going to explain, nor did it look like he was especially amused any longer.
30
They were all in the boat, rowing out to what Lute could now see was a large ship anchored in the distance. In their panic earlier he hadn’t noticed it but obviously Bitter Olof had known exactly where he might find Calico Grace and her men. Lute watched him now, the dwarf’s expression flitting between resentment at being here and relief and concern for Little Thom.
The captain—as her men called her—studied him with a gaze that had narrowed to slits in the morning glare, puffing quietly on the pipe that she had finally lit. Behind the stare though, he had already noticed that Calico Grace had the bluest of eyes and he wondered, if and when he ever saw her smile, whether her plain looks might brighten, because right now she was terrifying.
‘King, eh?’ she said suddenly.
Lute flinched, unprepared for any attack she was intending.
‘Now, Grace. There is no mileage to be gained from him,’ Bitter Olof warned, stabbing a finger towards Lute.
‘You’re jesting with me, dwarf, surely? Perhaps you have finally brought something worthwhile into my life. Do you hear this, men? You are rowing the King.’
There was a murmur from the rowers and Lute didn’t think they looked at all impressed to have a royal on board. Nor did he think Calico Grace had his best interests at heart.
‘Are you listening to me, Grace, I—’
Calico Grace pulled the smouldering pipe angrily from her mouth. ‘No, Olof, you pay close attention to what I’m about to say.’ It was her turn to jab a finger in his direction. ‘You owe me!’
‘But, Gracie—’
‘No. Don’t you dare “Gracie” me, you old rogue. You have an enormous debt to repay me from your previous visit when you were last in trouble. And here you are, in trouble once again, and who do you come running to? Ah yes, good old Calico Grace. And no, dwarf, don’t even think about adopting that innocent expression as though it were pure coincidence that you happened to be at Ghost Beach just when I happened to be anchored off it. You came seeking me. We saw you coming a way off, crashing down through that undergrowth and onto the beach. And you knew I was there, too. You counted on me interfering. I should have let that stupid Duke just kill you and be damned. Now the Crown’s got genuine beef with me, and just to keep it all nice and spicy I’ve got the damn King about to board Silver Wind. It’s always trouble with you, Olof.’
Bitter Olof sighed. ‘And still you help me.’
She shook her head helplessly. ‘There’s no accounting for love,’ she said in a scarcely audible voice.
Lute’s ears pricked up but when he glanced around, Calico Grace was staring out to sea, Bitter Olof was studying his drenched boots, Little Thom was groaning softly by their feet and the rest of the men were focused only on rowing to the glittering schooner that appeared closer by the moment. No-one but Lute seemed interested in the turn of the conversation, so he stored it away and fixed his gaze on the ship awaiting them.
She was a beauty. She seemed to shine beneath the kiss of the sun and from the reflection of the glittering ocean.
‘Your schooner is magnificent, Calico Grace. She really suits her name.’
The captain turned to regard him. ‘She can outrun any ship you pitch against her, yer majesty.’
Lute whistled softly and nodded. ‘She looks fast. Where was she built?’
Calico Grace tapped her huge nose. ‘Never you mind, yer highness.’ Now she winked at him.
Lute frowned. It took him a few moments for all of it to fall into place and as they drew up beneath the shadow of the sleek vessel, he noted that her pale colour made her look ghostly this close and where a ship normally had brass, the Silver Wind had curious silver fittings, which only added to her strangeness.
‘Calico Grace, may I ask, is this a pirate ship?’
She tapped out her pipe on the side of the boat as she stood. ‘The best on the high seas, majesty,’ she said proudly.
Pilo daubed some salve from a small pot he was carrying onto Davren’s wound. The centaur was grimacing.
‘Sorry, friend, I know that hurt,’ Pilo said.
Tess looked anxious. ‘Will the bleeding stop?’
‘Yes. I know it looks bad and it hurts but it’s not deep or life threatening. I have to tell you that your friend is brave. I couldn’t have gritted my teeth for as long as he did. He should remain still.’
‘Still?’ Griff interrupted. ‘But we need to go and help Lute now.’
‘We?’ Pilo laughed. ‘No, I have to go and help Lute. You are going to continue on your merry way.’
‘You’re leaving us?’ Griff looked at Pilo as though he was a stranger to him again.
Pilo had the grace to look uncomfortable. ‘Well, I have a King whose life might need saving. I’m sorry that—’
‘If you’re right, then that King is my brother. My twin brother, and I’ll be damned if you think you’re going off to find him without me!’
Pilo stared at Griff, breathing heavily, clearly angry. ‘And leave Tess? Is that your plan? Leave Tess, whom you had planned to save from Master Tyren and his Stalkers?’ Griff swallowed. ‘And not just Tess, but Davren, who is wounded, and Helys, who is frightened, and Elph, who is too slow to move with us?’
‘If we stick together, then everyone’s safer,’ Griff tried, looking around at all of them, feeling desperate.
‘No, Griff!’ Pilo said, shaking his head and walking towards his horse. ‘I travel faster alone.’
‘So that’s all we are to you? A burden?’
‘You know that’s not right.’
‘Well it’s obvious you only care for my brother.’
‘Griff, he’s the King,’ Pilo said softly, appealing to Griff’s sense of loyalty. ‘And he’s being hunted down by a madman who plans to kill him.’
Griff nodded and turned away. ‘So am I. Come on, Tess, we’ll head this way,’ he said. He glanced at Pilo, his gaze suddenly hard. ‘Farewell, Pilo. Thank you for your help today and good luck with everything.’ He shrugged. ‘Say hello to my brother for me.’
Even Davren scowled at Pilo as the centaur picked up Helys and limped away after Griff.
It left only Tess to be polite. She gave Pilo an embarrassed look. ‘We’ll be going then.’
‘What did Davren say? He looked at me just then as though I shot the arrow.’
She looked down momentarily, then answered. ‘He said to tell you not to bother about saying hello to Lute for Griff. Griff can do it himself using his magic. And then he can tell the King, er…well…about you leaving us.’
‘Look, Tess—’
She shook her head, smiled awkwardly. ‘You don’t have anything to explain to me. At least Griff is the King’s brother. I’m no-one.’ She turned. ‘Take care, Pilo. Thanks for sav
ing us earlier.’ And then she too turned her back on him and walked away. ‘Come on, Elph. We’re moving at your pace now because of Davren.’
They got as far as the edge of the clearing before Griff heard the sound of hooves. He turned. ‘Master Pilo?’
‘Alright, you win. We go together.’ He looked beaten.
Tess glanced at Griff and grinned, then said to Pilo, ‘Davren said you wouldn’t leave us.’
‘Did he, indeed?’
She nodded. ‘He assured me that you would not let us get beyond the fringe of this part of the wood.’
Pilo gave a sound of disgust. ‘That predictable, eh?’
She smiled. ‘Afraid so. He said you are far too honourable to desert us, even though your King needs you.’
Pilo bowed from his saddle to Tess. ‘I’m flattered,’ although Griff noticed the sly look he also threw towards the centaur. Something akin to respect seemed to pass between Pilo and Davren at that moment and it warmed Griff’s heart.
Pilo got off his horse. ‘It occurred to me that if we stitch Davren’s wound, although he’s not going to enjoy the experience I can assure you, then perhaps—’
‘He says yes, Master Pilo. He will bear whatever he has to if it means we stay together.’
‘Right. I wish I could communicate with Davren like that, or anyone.’ He looked awestruck.
‘You can, as a matter of fact,’ Griff said. ‘You just have to ask me and I can allow you to talk to Davren any time you wish.’
‘Truly?’
‘Truly,’ Griff confirmed. ‘But there is a catch. I’ll be blinded. If I’m in the Silvering I’m not aware of anything going on around me.’
‘That sounds dangerous,’ Pilo admitted.
‘It is. But Davren seems to be able to talk to me in the Silvering and keep his five senses working outside of it. It’s another reason why I think we need to stay together. We can help you to reach Lute.’
‘I hadn’t thought of that. It seems once again I must rely on magic.’
Griff shrugged. ‘Lute told me you entrusted his life to your daughter’s magic whistle.’
Pilo looked up sharply. ‘Now I know you’re not lying about your abilities. He is the only person to whom I’ve told that story.’
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