The King's bastard cokrk-1

by Rowena Cory Daniells

Lence seemed to recollect his manners. Keeping a firm hold on Elina's hand, he turned towards the youths. 'Elina, you know Arturo and Moran, now Lords Brookfield and Dellton. And this is Lord Cobalt. Illien, this is Elina Dovecotesdaughter, the prettiest girl in Rolencia.'

  Both youths dismounted and bowed formally as if they were in court, insisting that Elina use their personal names, as they made free with hers. Piro had to look away and bite her bottom lip.

  Cobalt swung down from the saddle, handed the reins to his servant and made the Ostronite bow, which should have looked ostentatious but he carried off with great style. He kissed Elina's hand as was the Ostronite custom then held on to it, saying, 'In the court of the Elector of Ostron Isle there are poets who claim Ostronite women are the most beautiful in the world. I believed them… until I met you.'

  Elina blushed but Piro laughed outright.

  Cobalt flicked an annoyed glance in her direction. 'Little Piro, so good to see you again.' He dropped Elina's hand to reach up to Piro's head. 'Hold still, you have hay in your hair, child.'

  He threw something away with a practised flick. Resentment filled Piro. She was not a child.

  While the stable boys ran out to take their horses, Elina smiled and accepted clumsy compliments from Brookfield and Dellton. She was all kind forbearance as they tried to outdo Lord Cobalt. Lence let them flounder for a few moments, then took over. His line of compliments was much more polished.

  Compliments usually bored Piro. Today they annoyed her.

  'Well, Piro.' Cobalt turned to her. 'I did not think to see you here. Where's Byren?'

  The truth would not do. Piro searched for inspiration. 'He's gone hunting with Orrade.'

  'Really? There won't be much game along the canal, too many travellers.'

  'Then it's just as well they're on horseback,' Piro told him. 'Hunting's good up near the lookout.'

  'I wish them luck,' Cobalt said. 'Though I'm sure they won't need it. They tell me Byren is a remarkable hunter.'

  The conversation between Elina and Lence faltered to a stop.

  Cobalt turned to Elina. 'Lence has been singing the praises of your cook. He says Queen Myrella has offered her a place in the king's castle but she wouldn't leave Dovecote.'

  'Yes, father would never part with her. Shall we go inside?' Elina offered her free arm.

  Brookfield and Dellton both tried to take it. There was almost a scuffle. Lence saved them from themselves by walking off with Elina. Piro smirked. Silly boys.

  'Father will be so pleased to see you, Lence,' Elina told him. 'He was sorry to miss the Midwinter's Day celebrations.'

  As Piro watched Brookfield and Dellton hurry after them, she caught herself wishing Lence hadn't arrived. She still didn't know if Elina was going to meet Byren.

  Elina paused and looked back over her shoulder. 'Come on, Piro.'

  Piro caught Lence's impatient glance. It seemed she was a nuisance and it occurred to her that maybe Lence hadn't come out of his way just to see Elina, maybe he was also here to discover why Orrade had been disinherited.

  'Cousin Piro?' Cobalt offered his arm.

  The last thing she wanted to do was take it. She'd much rather go back and play with the puppies. Dredging up a smile, she accepted Cobalt's arm and tried to do her mother proud by making polite conversation. 'How did negotiations go with the warlord of Cockatrice Spar?'

  'That's not for me to discuss,' Cobalt told her.

  Piro flushed and ground her teeth. He was acting as if she was too young to be involved in strategy discussions, but they'd thought her old enough to marry the Cockatrice warlord.

  Brooding over this, Piro hardly paid any attention when Lord Dovecote greeted the new arrivals. Once again, Lence introduced Cobalt as their cousin, making it clear that King Rolen had acknowledged the blood tie, and Piro had to listen to the sad tale of the Utland raid all over again. It would have touched her, if she hadn't known that Cobalt felt nothing.

  While Elina played the perfect hostess and called for wine, arranging to have bed chambers opened and aired, Piro watched Cobalt set out to charm Lord Dovecote. He was up to something and she didn't like it. Suddenly she knew what Seela meant, when she said her nurslings had all grown up and had to play the game of Duelling Kingdoms for real.

  Old Lord Dovecote proudly showed off his latest dove crossbreed. This one had fancy feathers down its legs. Piro thought it pretty enough, but she had seen them all before.

  'Play with me, Piro?' Garzik suggested, beckoning her over to where he was opening the carved box that held the Dovecote's Duelling Kingdoms game.

  'Of course.' Piro joined him, relieved one male wasn't behaving like a besotted idiot, but then, Elina was his sister. As she helped Garzik lay out the board she leant close enough to whisper. 'Do you think Lence is here to find out why Orrie was disinherited?'

  After casting a quick glance to their visitors, Garzik caught her hand, placing her piece in her palm and squeezed her fingers. 'Don't worry, none of the servants know, only the family. And we're not going to tell.'

  So she settled down to play.

  Later, when they went upstairs to clean up for the evening meal, Piro finished dressing quickly and darted down the hall to the room Lence always used. She tapped on his door and thrust it open to find Cobalt with him.

  Both turned towards her, startled by the interruption.

  'Sorry,' Piro said, perfunctorily. She'd been marshalling her arguments since Cobalt refused to discuss the Cockatrice warlord negotiations and was determined to hear what Rejulas had said. 'Did you manage to patch things up with Rejulas, Lence? Is he coming to the Jubilee? Is he mad about — '

  'Quiet, Piro.' Grimly, Lence pulled the strings of a small velvet bag closed and handed it to Cobalt.

  'Well?' Cobalt asked.

  'You've convinced me,' Lence said, with reluctance. 'Go. Do what's got to be done.'

  'As you wish, kingsheir.' Cobalt tucked the bag inside his vest, cast Piro a swift glance then left.

  'Well?' Piro pressed as the door closed.

  Lence focused on her with a distracted frown. 'What?'

  She rolled her eyes. 'What did Rejulas say? You can't put me off. I want to know.'

  'It's none of your business and besides — '

  'I was there, at the war table, when father sent you. I was the one Rejulas was going to marry.' Piro relished saying this, certain she was on solid ground. 'I think that makes it my business. After all, I am a kingsdaughter.'

  'You're a spoilt brat, Piro. And, after spring cusp you won't be a kingsdaughter bred to serve Rolencia, you'll be a lowly nun serving Sylion Abbey!'

  She gasped, taking a step back. It was true and she hated him for it.

  'Now get out,' Lence told her, voice rising. 'And knock next time!'

  A year ago she would have told him just what she thought of him. But not now, for he was wrong — she was no longer a child. Collecting her dignity, Piro gave Lence a stiff little bow and backed out. It was only later that she wondered what had been in the bag Lence gave Cobalt and what it was he'd sent Cobalt to do.

  Byren packed the entrance to the snow-cave to seal it and crawled back to his side. Orrade knelt on his haunches as he stirred their food, a small pot of stew, prepared back at Rolenhold and preserved with spices. The glowing coals of the brazier made his pale skin ruddy.

  It was time. 'Why didn't you tell me Cobalt blackmailed you to be his spy?'

  Orrade went utterly still for a heartbeat, then continued stirring the stew. 'How did you know?'

  'I was there in the devotional box.'

  Colour crept up Orrade's cheeks. 'Then you know I was not a willing party to this deception.' He glanced at Byren. 'Why didn't you bring it up before?'

  'Why didn't you tell me before?'

  Orrade made a helpless gesture. 'I didn't want to worry you. I've cost you too much already.'

  In all honesty, Byren couldn't deny this.

  'If you knew, why didn't you say something?' Orrade
asked. When Byren didn't answer, the slow burn of anger made his black eyes gleam. 'I'd never betray you, Byren.'

  'No?' His chest felt so tight it was hard to speak. 'What did you tell him, when we got back from Unistag Spar? He would have been expecting a report.'

  'He was.' Orrade met his eyes. 'I told him only what he needed to hear — '

  'Piro?'

  'Nothing of Piro. When your men spoke of Lady Unace's unistag, he put two and two together, but I claimed I knew nothing. I told him we hardly speak any more, that you blame me for losing Elina's love.'

  'I don't,' Byren muttered, frustrated. 'She should have known how I felt.'

  'Why?' One side of Orrade's mouth lifted in a rueful smile. 'Because you feel so strongly?'

  Byren nodded.

  'It doesn't work that way,' Orrade told him.

  Byren heard the painful self-knowledge in his voice and winced. 'Orrie, I — '

  'Stew's ready.' Orrade began ladling it out, then grabbed a roll that had been heating on the brazier's edge and tossed it over to Byren. It was several days old but the heat had made it crispy.

  He caught the bread and accepted his bowl. 'I owe you an apology.'

  'Forget it. I've been thinking of a way we can turn Cobalt's cunning to our advantage.'

  'Oh?' Byren paused, as he dipped the bread in the stew.

  'I'll tell him what we want him to hear. It must be believable but it doesn't have to be the truth.'

  Byren snorted. 'He won't believe the truth. I've already told him I don't want to rule Rolencia. Twice.' Even as he said this, he realised it was true. This was what that first conversation back on the Divide had been about, when Cobalt had approached him outside the council hall.

  Byren caught Orrade watching him with a look that was hard to read. 'What?'

  'Nothing.'

  'Once Lence marries Isolt, he'll see she's not so bad,' Byren said. 'The alliance will be secure and Lence will settle down.'

  Orrade dipped his roll in the stew and tore off a chunk, saying nothing.

  'You don't think so?' Byren prodded.

  'Ask yourself why Cobalt's mischief has fallen on fertile ground with Lence,' Orrade said, then gave the answer. 'Cobalt's telling Lence what he wants to hear.'

  Byren found the stew had lost all taste. For the first time he understood that everything might not turn out for the best. What if the breach between himself and Lence deepened?

  'Have you ever thought of travelling?' Orrade asked. 'Why not go to Ostron Isle as Rolencia's ambassador? I could come with you. We'd — '

  'Leave?' Byren was torn between anger and laughter. As if he could leave home when Rolencia needed him.

  Much later, Piro snuggled into bed, grateful for the warming stone. Except for trouncing Garzik at Duelling Kingdoms, the evening had been an interminable bore. Brookfield and Dellton had been either tongue-tied in front of Elina, or too voluble. And Lence had discussed the Utland reprisal raid with Lord Dovecote. Piro had heard it all before. The only new thing she had learnt was that Lence had sent Cobalt to Rolenhold to let them know Lence had decided to stay at Dovecote for now.

  Piro rolled over and thumped the pillow. She'd hated the way Lence watched Elina all night. He'd even saved the crackling off the top of his caramel toffee-pear for her because it was her favourite treat. Piro knew Elina was secretly heartbroken over Byren but she had seemed inclined to look more favourably on Lence, even though he was betrothed.

  Piro sat up in bed. Did Elina know about Lence's betrothal? The Dovecotes hadn't come to the midwinter feast where it was announced and Piro hadn't had a chance to mention it yet. They may not have heard because news didn't travel fast in winter.

  Elina needed to know that Lence was betrothed in case she contemplated opening her heart to him. She'd always been fond of Lence.

  Slipping out of the bed, Piro reached for her shawl. Her toes curled on the cold rug and she quickly tucked them into her slippers and padded to the door. Elina's chamber was next to hers. She'd tell Elina now, warn her not to believe Lence's compliments and maybe take the chance to plead Byren's case.

  But when she came to the door it was slightly ajar and the room was empty. Where was Elina?

  Piro crept down the hall until she heard muffled voices from the balcony which overlooked the great hall. There was a rustling then a male chuckle.

  'One kiss is never enough,' Lence cajoled. 'Let's see what you have under this — ow!'

  Piro smiled, pleased. The wooing wasn't going all his way for once.

  'I said one kiss and that's all I meant. I'm not one of your rolls in the hay, Lence,' Elina snapped. 'Now, what did you want to see me about?'

  'They've betrothed me to a Merofynian prize cow!'

  'What?'

  'And all the while I've been dreaming of you. Dreaming of your smooth, milky skin, your sparkling obsidian eyes, your — '

  'You're betrothed, Lence? When did this happen?'

  'Midwinter. They betrothed me to Isolt, that usurper Merofyn's daughter. I am the true heir, not him or his daughter.'

  'We had not heard about your betrothal.' Elina spoke slowly, clearly shocked. 'I — '

  'It doesn't matter. I'll be coming for you.'

  'But what about your betrothed?'

  Yes, Piro thought. What about her?

  'Don't worry. That marriage will never come to pass. I'll be back to claim you, Elina. You understand?'

  'I don't see how you can agree to a betrothal then — '

  'I'm going to be king and, when I am, I'll choose my own bride and it will be you. So promise you'll wait for me.'

  She gave a bitter laugh. 'I'm not about to marry anyone else.'

  'Not even Byren?' Lence countered, as if he couldn't help himself.

  'Byren? He preferred my brother to me!' It was a cry from the heart.

  Piro jumped, thumping her elbow on the wainscoting.

  'What was that?' Elina sounded alarmed.

  'Nothing. Rats — '

  'We don't have rats at Dovecote. I had the best ratters in only last week — '

  'Forget the rats, Elina.' Lence didn't sound surprised by Elina's revelation about his twin. 'What makes you think Byren's a Servant of Palos?'

  'He told father that he and Orrie are lovers. That's why father disinherited Orrade. Da's devastated. He made us promise to tell no one.'

  Then why had she told Lence? Piro frowned.

  'And now Byren wants to meet me at the water-wheel tomorrow afternoon,' Elina muttered. 'But I don't see how anything he says could change the situation. He's a lover of men and I won't be second best!'

  Piro cursed under her breath.

  'Did you hear something?' Elina whispered.

  'There's someone in the hall.' Lence's voice grew alarmingly loud as he strode along the balcony towards the corridor.

  Piro fled.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The next morning, Piro woke late. She'd spent another night with bad dreams, only these hadn't been about wyverns hunting her, but manticores. What next? As she finished dressing, there was a knock at the door, and she answered it, feeling tired and grumpy.

  Elina stood there, flushed with anger. 'Why didn't you tell me that Lence was betrothed?'

  'I thought you knew. Everyone knew,' Piro replied, then said the first thing that came into her head. 'Besides, I thought you only had eyes for Byren — '

  'Byren?' Elina's laugh held fury. 'There's something you should know about your precious brother, he's a lover of men!'

  'He is not!'

  'He is and he used me, whispering sweet words in my ear so he could spend time with my brother!'

  'That's ridiculous.'

  'He made me look ridiculous. An excuse, that's all I was.' Elina's voice rose dangerously. 'How they must have laughed at me, the two of them!'

  'Quiet, Elina. Think of the servants,' Garzik warned, as he came out of his chamber. 'Think of father.'

  'What about my feelings?' Elina implored.
<
br />   'What about Orrade?' Piro countered. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a servant standing open-mouthed. 'Think how he must feel. He's your own brother. How could you turn your back on him? He has no family now, nothing!'

  'He has Byren Kingson for his — '

  'Lina!' Piro slapped the older girl.

  Elina staggered back two steps, stunned, her hand going to her cheek.

  More doors opened. Brookfield and Dellton came out of their room. Lence looked up the hall to see what the shouting was all about and strode towards them.

  Distracted by their appearance, Piro was not prepared for Elina's shove. The door knob hit her between the shoulder blades and a yelp of pain escaped her.

  More doors opened.

  'That hurt!' Piro gasped. 'You — '

  'You deserved it.' Elina leapt for her. Piro defended herself, giving as good as she got. It was a flurry of hands and stinging cheeks, flying hair.

  A strong arm swept Piro off her feet. She writhed and twisted, trying to get free. Then she gasped as the arm squeezed until she saw stars.

  'Enough?' Lence demanded.

  Unable to speak, she could only nod. He eased up but did not release her, so that she hung from his grasp like a kitten, panting for breath.

  When her vision cleared she saw Elina shrug off Garzik's restraining arms. Lord Dovecote stepped between them, his crippled face expressing concern and annoyance. Beyond him, Brookfield and Dellton looked astounded. Piro fought an urge to giggle. They were shocked to see the kingsdaughter in a scrap, but she'd grown up scrapping with Elina.

  'Ho, Garza,' Lence laughed. 'Remember the time it took four stable lads to pull them apart?'

  'What's this all about?' Lord Dovecote demanded. 'Elina?'

  Bleeding from a scratch down one cheek, Elina assumed her dignity like a cloak. 'Piro has decided to cut short her visit, father.'

  His good eye widened. 'Here, there's no need for that.' He turned to Piro. 'My apologies, kingsdaughter.'

  'Put me down, Lence,' Piro ordered, cheeks flaming. She could still feel him chuckling. As soon as her feet touched the parquetry floor, she straightened her bodice and pushed her hair from her face. She had been about to apologise but this was too much. She could out-dignify Elina any day. 'I thank you, Lord Dovecote, but I must be leaving.'