by B. T. Narro
“I don’t know, sire,” the guard replied.
“Are you certain his squire is dead?”
“I’m not certain.”
“Where did the incident take place?”
“I don’t know, sire.”
“Then what do you know!”
“I’m sorry, sire, not much. The whole castle is in a panic. I found your squire and he told me—”
Someone called my name as I passed her prison cell.
I stopped. “Charlotte?”
“Yes.” She gripped the bars with both hands. “Don’t leave.”
A fear of abandoning her came on suddenly. I would never leave. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. What happened with you and Terren? You never told me, and now I need to know.”
“Neeko!” It was the king’s desperate voice. “Where are you?”
Charlotte grabbed my arm. “Come back when you can, but go now before he sees you talking with me.”
The fear of abandoning her switched—I couldn’t stay if I wanted to—and I ran toward Quince’s voice with tremendous relief. “Here!” I called. “I’m coming.”
Soon we were running together again. “I don’t want you lost down here,” Quince said, making me wonder if there were other secrets besides Charlotte’s imprisonment I wasn’t supposed to uncover.
It was only after some distance that I realized I’d been a victim of…what did she call it? Psyche, I believe. She was powerful, but I owed it to her and Terren to do what I could to help, for she wouldn’t be in that cell if it wasn’t for Terren helping me.
The people of the castle seemed lost without their king, the halls crowded with those gossiping and wondering what to do. At the sight of Quince, relief came over their faces.
By the time we’d ascended to the second floor, we’d grown a tail of a hundred people. “Make way for the king,” shouted guards as Quince tried to get through to Swenn’s quarters. Everyone stepped back against the walls, clearing a path but instantly collapsing back to the center after he’d passed, staying as close as they could to his majesty.
I noticed people stumbling around something just ahead of me. As I came close, I caught sight of a pair of scrunched legs with one arm around them. Laney.
Someone fell on top of her. She let out a frightened scream. The man straightened, finding purchase, then murmured something as he tried to help her up. She let him, slowly rising to her feet. But the moment he walked past her to follow the king to Swenn’s quarters, Laney sunk back to the floor.
It was no surprise to find terror on her face when I finally got there.
“Let me help you stand,” I offered.
She looked up, smiled somewhat bashfully, and held out her hand. Once steady on her feet, she clutched me. Fear turns her into an incapable puppy. I put my arms around her.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I wanted to see.”
“You and the entire castle. If you ever get caught in a crowd again, don’t sit on the ground. You’re lucky you didn’t get trampled.”
“I was scared. Mayla’s calling for me, but I don’t know how to get there.”
I realized she was right. I could hear Laney’s name being called from somewhere farther down the hall, possibly past Swenn’s room. I put my arm around Laney as I led her toward Mayla, calling out that we were coming. Laney had just about as much shoulder on her left side as the width of my hand and didn’t seem to mind me touching it.
“Wait,” she said as we came behind the king. He stood in front of the closed door to Swenn’s quarters speaking with two men I didn’t know. “I want to see.”
I did as well but everyone around us had the same idea. A moment didn’t go by without someone bumping into us.
Two armored men with the king raised their arms and began to shout for everyone to clear the hall. The crowd collectively grumbled but obeyed, now pushing to file out. Laney and I soon came to Mayla. It was a shock to see her face red with anger. She grabbed Laney’s hand.
“Don’t ever run off again or Commander Jaymes will hear of it! Come on, we must hurry.” Mayla set into a jog, Laney and I easily keeping pace.
“I’m sorry,” Laney told the nurse.
“They need me in the medical room, yet I couldn’t leave you! A man is dying in there. That was very selfish of you!”
“Is he going to die?”
“You must stop asking this question!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Who’s injured?” I inquired.
“The master of coin, of all people!” Mayla huffed, running out of breath.
My gods, Swenn? Before I had time to figure out what I was feeling, Mayla threw open the door to the medical room. Busy men and women in white hustled about, three tending to Swenn as he groaned on a bed. Shara lay sleeping on the other side of the room. I went to her first, Laney beside me.
A blanket covered her. I felt her forehead for fever, but she was cool to the touch. No infection, at least not yet. Laney put her hand where mine had been. She glanced up at me curiously.
“Do you miss her while she’s asleep?”
“I don’t know.” I still felt as hollow as before. “That’s a strange question.”
“No it’s not. I miss her.”
I came as close to Swenn’s bed as I could without getting in the way. I couldn’t determine his injury, just that it was around his shoulder where everyone was huddled. Mayla came behind them. They cleared for her, allowing me my first full glimpse of Swenn.
Shirtless, he looked stronger than I’d realized. Though he wouldn’t be putting up a fight anytime soon with such a knife wound. He seemed barely conscious, still groaning but softer now, his eyes shut.
I checked the hearth. Sure enough, a rod sat within the flames.
Laney took my hand and dragged me to the corner of the room. “When they brought him in here, he said his squire attacked him. He was poisoned like Shara.” Her voice fell to a whisper. “Do you think that’s what really happened?”
“No, he probably attacked his squire but got stabbed in the process.”
“Are you going to do anything?”
I could feel my brow furrow. “What do you mean?”
“If he lives.”
Did she mean report him, maybe kill him? “I don’t know yet.”
“I like you, but you really should know these things.”
“I’m just tired.” I couldn’t think or feel much until I rested and knew Shara would recover. “What would you do if you were me?”
“Make him die.” She whispered it with malice, giving me a chill. “You made it clear earlier this is what you want.”
Even at a whisper, I didn’t feel comfortable talking about this in a room full of people. “Keep quiet for now. If any plan involves you, I’ll let you know.”
The king entered with his usual guards. “How is he faring?”
“He’ll live so long as infection doesn’t set in,” Mayla answered.
“When will he be lucid for questioning?”
“Hard to say, sire. The antidote has a heavy effect on the mind. By tomorrow, I’d assume.”
“Let me know if it is earlier.”
“I will, sire.”
Quince left the door open as he exited. “Both of your mages are in there,” I heard him say to someone.
“Thank you, sire.” Jaymes stepped in.
I hadn’t slept or eaten. He couldn’t possibly—
“Why aren’t you training!” he demanded, pointing at me from across the room.
I stopped myself from complaining, though the disparaging slouch of my shoulders couldn’t be avoided as I trudged over to him.
“Mayla, is my other mage ready?” Jaymes asked.
“Another day, sir.”
“Ready for what?” Laney asked.
“Training,” Jaymes answered. “She says you’re not ready. What do you say?”
Laney recoiled like a kitten discovering fire. “Do we hurt people?”
Jaymes seemed to take that as the answer he needed. He pushed me out of the room and closed the door without reply.
“Can I at least have some breakfast first?” I asked.
To my amazement, he nodded. “Yes and a nap if you want.” His voice was unusually gentle. “I heard about what happened. I know you were up the entire night.”
“Thank you, sir, but then why did you yell?”
“The king needs to know that I’m not letting you slip through my fingers anymore. You’re going to behave. Aren’t you?” His tone was fierce once again.
“Yes, sir.”
“Meet me on the courtyard after lunch. And Neeko…”
“Yes?”
“I recommend you arrive early from now on.”
It sounded like good advice.
I ate in the great hall and listened to Swenn’s name on everyone’s lips, which finally allowed me some peace. I hoped Shara wouldn’t awake while she was alone with Swenn in the medical room. What would that be like for the poor woman?
Laney will be there for her, I told myself with surprise. Should I really put so much trust in her? I suppose I already have by choking Swenn in front of her. No, that wasn’t trust, just me acting without thinking. Nonetheless, it forces me to trust her.
I stumbled up to my room, so tired that I knew my worries wouldn’t keep me up. Don’t sleep too long. I needed to visit Charlotte before training.
I hadn’t noticed Henry following me until I got to my door. The sight of him made me want to spit. I held the door open reluctantly. He tipped an invisible hat as he entered.
I shut the door and said, “I’m sure you heard what Swenn did to his squire.”
He whistled out a “yes.”
“Don’t you think he could do that to you?”
Henry peered around my room, ensuring no one else was there. He whistled two notes, high-low. I hadn’t heard this before.
“Maybe?” I guessed.
Two high notes again—“yes.”
So he wasn’t completely oblivious to the threat his master posed. “Is this the first time you’ve thought he’s capable of killing you?”
“Yes.”
“What will happen to Swenn?”
He handed me a note. “Trial.”
“He’ll claim self-defense.”
“Yes.”
“Will I have a chance to speak?”
“Maybe.”
“Is it the king who decides the verdict?”
“Yes.”
With a trial pending, Swenn must be feeling sheer desperation. I needed to rest while he was unconscious because who knew what he would do when he wasn’t.
“I’m going to sleep for a while.” I started removing my clothes. Big Henry took off his shoes. “No, please don’t.”
He pointed at himself and feigned a yawn.
“So go sleep in your own bed.”
“No.”
“Why continue to watch over me? You might never see Swenn again by the end of tomorrow. You don’t have to follow his orders anymore.”
He took the scroll from a hidden pocket on the inside of his shirt, this one at least three times the size of others he’d used previously.
“Swenn isn’t the same man as he was eight years ago. He means well. He’s protective to a fault, of himself and those loyal to him, but he won’t kill unless it’s to save a life.”
I took the top of the scroll with both hands with the intention to shred it and toss the remains in Henry’s face, but he snatched it out of my grasp.
“You can’t possibly think that!” I snapped.
He put his fingers over his lips. I lowered my voice, though my rage only burned hotter.
“He kills frivolously. He was going to have Kayren killed,” I argued.
“No.”
“No? What do you mean no!”
He looked into my eyes and shook his head. “No.”
“Horse piss. He would’ve had her killed.”
Henry let out his breath, easing up. “Maybe.”
I collapsed onto my bed, my mind running in circles. I couldn’t figure out Henry’s thoughts. First he was certain Swenn wouldn’t kill Kayren. Seconds later he wasn’t sure.
Then I had a thought. “Are you confused about Swenn?” I asked as both of us crawled under the sheets.
“Yes.”
“There’s nothing to be confused about. He’s a murderer.”
Henry gave no response, and soon I fell asleep.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I dreamed that Swenn escaped from the castle, causing Henry to cry. Shara hugged him, telling me it hurts to be abandoned. I promised I wouldn’t abandon her. “Not just me,” she said. “Laney, Charlotte, and Terren.” My dream ended with Charlotte gripping the bars of her cell with such force that her hands bled. I told her to let go but she wouldn’t.
I awoke with Henry’s hand firmly pressing on my shoulder. He looked concerned. I must’ve been mumbling in my nightmare.
“I’m fine.” I hurried to dress, glancing out the window for an idea of the time.
The bright sunlight that had filtered into the room when I’d gone to sleep was replaced by a thick blanket of gray clouds. “My gods, is it evening?”
Charlotte…no I couldn’t see her; Jaymes was waiting for me. No, what about Shara! I cursed as I frantically dressed. Henry came in front of me holding up a timepiece. I paused to read it. I had an hour before noon.
My relief faded as distant thunder boomed. Then there was a flash. Thunder came again, this time with such power it shook me to my core.
“Going to be some storm tonight.”
“Yes.”
I hurried to the great library, encountering none of the usual shoulder nudges or mutterings. Henry would probably follow me all the way to Charlotte’s cell, but there was nothing he could overhear that Swenn didn’t already know.
With my hands clasped, I shuffled over to Storell Ampart. The old man seemed tired, struggling to push himself out of his chair at my approach.
“I’m deeply sorry,” I said. “I didn’t wish for any damage to come to your library. It’s marvelous, and I’d like to see it stay that way.”
My words made his lips purse in skepticism. “I hear Shara’s going to live. Is that so?”
“She is, thanks to Mayla. But she couldn’t have done it without the book.”
“And where is this book?”
Gods, I’d been too distracted to think about bringing it back. “I’ll fetch it immediately.”
“I’ll be here.” He set himself back into his chair.
I hurried to the medical room, thankful he hadn’t forbidden me from returning to the library. There were so many books yet not enough time, a feeling that made the world seem ripe, like discovering a hundred delicious foods all at once.
I immediately forgot about the book the moment Shara sat up.
“Hello,” she said with a smile.
“Hello,” I returned, barely able to keep myself from running to her. I walked around Swenn’s bed, thankful to see he slept soundly.
“You look tired,” Shara said, starting into a rhyme. “Were you up worrying about me? I’m fine. Well, to a certain degree. Some movements cause terrible pain. So be gentle, and I won’t complain.” She shifted her legs until her feet were flat on the ground. Gingerly, she stood and held out her arms.
We embraced, a blissful feeling of comfort. Luckily my arms didn’t seem to hurt her, so I held on, squeezing tighter.
“Ouch,” she said.
I lightened. “Sorry.”
“It feels good and hurts at the same time. We have a lot to talk about,” she whispered into my ear.
The murder attempt, it happening in my room, Swenn killing his squire, the upcoming trial, Henry’s doubts, the king’s order disallowing intimacy, Charlotte and Terren…yes there was a lot to talk about, and none of it could be said in this room full of people tending to Swenn.
“There is. I’ll meet you as
soon as I can, though it might be late.” It pained me to lean out of her embrace.
“You’re leaving?”
“I have to.”
I helped Shara back into bed. Laney winked at me, not that I knew what it meant. When she did it again with the other eye, I figured she didn’t know, either. I winked back as I walked toward Mayla and a man in white who were conversing.
I waited for my chance, then spoke. “May I return the book of poisons to the library?”
Mayla handed it to me as she thanked me for my help. “And I’ve never been fond of Gram,” she whispered. “Though now I have to put up with him until his broken finger mends. So I suppose I can’t say I’m particularly glad for what you did.”
I didn’t know what to say.
She shooed me. “Run off, now. You didn’t hear any of that.”
Henry was waiting outside. “You don’t want to see Swenn?” I asked.
“No.”
Storell didn’t particularly smile at my return, but he didn’t scowl, either. I took it as a victory and tested my luck.
“Could you please let me through the back door?”
“No.” He offered no explanation.
“Please, sir. It’s important.”
“Do you want to be allowed in this library?”
“More than any man.”
“Then don’t pester me about going through the back. Consider yourself lucky that you’re not dead after forcing your way in here at night and fighting against the king’s guards. I’ve met young men like you before. You think the gods made the world just for you. Pyforial energy being illegal doesn’t matter. Locked doors don’t matter. Guards’ orders don’t matter.”
The fierceness in his eyes faded as his gaze shifted to Henry. The big man stepped forward and held out a scroll. Storell took it, but not without reluctance. His head tilted as he finished reading the short message in an instant.
Handing it back, he asked, “Is this request to use the back door related to Swenn and his squire?”
“Yes.”
“So you won’t be taking any books?” he asked me.
“No books.”
“Fine then.” Storell started toward the back. “When’s the trial?”
“Most likely tomorrow,” I said. “Thank you.”
“You’re lucky. You remember that.”
Was I? It certainly didn’t feel that way after everything that had happened to me. “I will, and I won’t forget your help.”