The Challenge: Circle of Conspiracy Trilogy (Artesans Series Book 4)

by Cas Peace

  A warm clasp of the hand was his reward, and he laid out his pattern. Sullyan overlaid it with hers, and as the two imprints merged, blended, and strengthened, a soul-thrilling Powersink flashed into being. Their respective powers intensified, amplified by this method, and Taran reeled from the enormity of it. Once more, he received her steadying touch on his arm and was aware of her gaze as she gave him time to accustom himself.

  “Are you stable, Taran?” she asked, no urgency in her tone.

  He took a deep breath and let it out again, slowly. “I am now.”

  “Well done,” she murmured, sensing his warm rush of pride.

  Drawing on the vastly expanded well of power, they each did a separate pass through the substrate. Sullyan’s frustration at their lack of success was evident from her expression, and also from the profanity she uttered as they broke their link.

  “I cannot understand it, Taran,” she said, surfacing from the Powersink’s glory. “There should have been some trace of him! The working I felt was very sure, very confident, and few indeed would be able to cause such a surge through Earth without leaving a sign. We are dealing with a very powerful Artesan here, my friend. We must be very careful.” She deliberately captured his gaze. “That care must be applied also to our communications with each other. If the Artesan behind these events is as skilled as I suspect, he may be able to eavesdrop without our knowledge.”

  Taran was alarmed. “Is that possible?”

  She shrugged, unwilling to commit. “I need to speak with Pharikian. Until then, act on the assumption that it is.”

  Denny and Ardoch reported on the unremarkable behavior of the fair-goers. “What will you do now?” asked Denny.

  Sullyan considered this, her eyes unfocused. “Two facts are known. One: Baron Reen was conveniently on hand today and was quick to accuse me and voice his disapproval. Two: he had the unquestioning support of the Queen. In light of this, and in the absence of any other suspects, I suggest we concentrate on Reen for the moment. Owyn, you say he is bound to accompany the King when we return to the Manor?”

  “Without a doubt. He’s Elias’s despised but inescapable shadow.”

  “Then I propose we use the Baron’s prejudice against him. On the journey, I will take every opportunity to anger and unsettle him. Taran, you will observe him as closely as you can while his attention is on me. Try to remember everything he says and does. We will try to force a slip, make him say something he should not, and maybe that way we can further our investigations.”

  Master Ardoch nodded his approval. “I think I’ll come with ye when the King rides out tomorrow,” he mused. “This could be interesting, and it’s been a while since I visited the Manor. The exercise will do me good.”

  Sullyan raised her brows and he smiled back, showing his teeth. “I have no love for yon Baron, lassie. I’ll back ye up, and together we’ll see if we can’t force something out of him. Now, ye both need a drink and I know just where to get one.”

  *****

  Baron Reen and Queen Sofira sat alone in the Queen’s solar. The Queen sat straight-backed in a plain wooden chair, her hands folded in her lap. The Baron sat across from her, twirling a crystal goblet in his hand and watching the play of light through the ruby wine it contained.

  Queen Sofira sniffed. “So that was the famed Colonel Sullyan? I can’t see why Elias gets so excited about her. She’s very small and no great beauty, in my opinion.”

  The Baron set down his goblet. “That may be so, Madam, but we shouldn’t make the mistake of underestimating her. The King’s forces think well of her and despite the impropriety of her position, she wouldn’t have won the approval of so many military men merely with her looks. Whatever our thoughts on the matter, we mustn’t forget that she has a reputation for shrewdness as well as great skill with the sword.” He shivered. “Not to mention her… arcane talents.”

  Sofira’s sharp face showed her disgust. “It’s so unnatural! But you’re right, Hezra, of course. She’s managed to survive very well, despite our many attempts to remove her. Damn that outlander Rykan for being such a greedy fool! He should have killed her, like he was told to, when he had the chance.”

  “He should have taken better care of that weapon you drained the Treasury to finance!” growled Reen. “Had he not been so inattentive and allowed it to be stolen, he would not have had trouble with her in the first place. With him on the Andaryon throne and beholden to you for it, we would have had access to all the spellsilver we desired. Not only did his arrogant carelessness result in his death and the destruction of the Staff, it also caused us considerable inconvenience. Now we will to have to resort to our second plan in order to accumulate enough silver. And that means more traffic with those damned Andaryan outlanders. The sooner we put a stop to such blasphemy, the better.”

  Reen felt his face grow hotter as he spoke. His intense feelings and deeply held beliefs concerning outlanders consumed him, as usual. He struggled for calm.

  The Queen, well used to his rants, nevertheless regarded him with concern. “I know you believe our action against this demon ruler is justified, Hezra, and you know I support your plan, but I’m still not happy about our side of it. Is it truly necessary?” There was a faint hint of pleading in her voice, and she glanced down at her hands, which twisted together in her lap.

  Having composed himself, Reen hastened to reassure her. “We have been through this before, Madam. In order to convince both rulers of the gravity of the situation, my plan may be needed in its entirety. But you have no need for concern. Izack and I have things well in hand. No harm will befall him, you have my sworn word on that.”

  The Queen nodded reluctantly and sighed. “What is our next step?”

  “My men are even now in the Fifth Realm, carrying out my orders. I should hear from them soon.” Reen smiled unpleasantly. “And I intend to pay a visit to my niece. She spent the day with that captain who came with Colonel Sullyan. She seemed quite taken with him, silly girl, no doubt due to her rescue in the forest. You know what simpletons young women are. One gallant gesture and their hearts melt. But I told her to get as much information out of him as possible, and perhaps she learned something I can use.”

  “Will she do as you bid her, if she’s that enamored of him?”

  “Oh yes, Madam, she knows what’s good for her. But even if she fails me, we still have our contact at the Manor. I have great hopes for him. He hates and fears Colonel Sullyan as much as we do. And when I tell him of our other little plan, he will have access to their internal dealings as well. Imagine that, Madam, a spy in the middle of their camp! He should prove most effective.”

  He raised his goblet to the Queen and she returned the gesture, smiling coyly over the rim of her priceless glass.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Before retiring for the night, Sullyan prepared for her scheduled report to General Blaine. She knew he would be as disturbed as she by the events of the day. Settling herself on the edge of the bed, she quested for contact.

  She raised him at once, but the General gave her no time to report her news. She listened in alarm as he tersely described the raids in Andaryon.

  Were there any casualties, Mathias?

  Only flesh wounds. The men are all safe and returning home. The Hierarch is greatly upset and the Lord General is furious.

  Yes, she said, imagining the huge man’s snapping black eyes and bristling mustache. I expect he is. He has every right to be. Did Robin find any clues as to who they were or who sent them?

  Nothing conclusive. None of the dead wore livery or bore markings. You’d better tell Elias about this before you set out tomorrow. We can’t have him finding out from someone else.

  This alarming news underscored the seriousness of her own, and she quickly told Blaine about the day’s events. When she reluctantly admitted that she could not rule out the possibility that it was actually an attempt on the King’s life or hers, the General was shocked and horrified.

  M
ake sure he brings a large and trusted escort with him tomorrow, Brynne. I’d rather he didn’t come if what you suspect is true, but knowing Elias, you won’t be able to dissuade him.

  Sullyan assured him that Elias’s honor guard would consist of the best men. Trusting her to keep the King safe, he broke their contact. Sullyan then reached for Taran’s mind. She wanted to tell him of the Andaryan raids before he heard the news from Cal. He responded sleepily and it was clear he was preparing for bed, but when she reminded him of the possibility of an Artesan eavesdropper, he immediately agreed to come to her room.

  *****

  Frightened as she was by the King’s accident that afternoon, Jinella’s overriding emotion was outrage at Taran’s casual abandonment of her at the snap of the Colonel’s fingers. He had made her no excuses and hadn’t even troubled to bid her farewell. Seething and slighted, she was forced to make her own way back to the castle, totally unprotected, through the press of shocked fair-goers. She fumed and cursed under her breath as she went, thinking that even if he had mentioned Sullyan’s name far too often for her liking, he had behaved gallantly toward her up until then. She had expected better of him.

  By the time she reached the castle, her anger and self-pity had risen to overwhelming levels. She stormed up to her suite and swept into her bedchamber, slamming the door in Lily’s face. Throwing herself onto the bed, she indulged in a fit of bitter tears. It lasted some time. Finally, having purged herself of the worst of her pique, she emerged and allowed Lily to repair her tear-stained face. Outwardly she was calm, but jealousy made her sullen company for the rest of the day.

  Two or three medicinal glasses of wine and some sympathetic words from Lily eventually calmed Jinella’s wounded pride. Having taken time to reflect, she realized the awful significance of the day’s events. Someone had actually tried to kill the King, and even a man as honorable as Taran could surely be excused a lapse of manners under such dreadful circumstances. The safety of their monarch took precedence over all other concerns, and Taran was a captain of the King’s forces after all.

  Following this reasoning, Jinella became convinced she should forgive him. She decided that a late evening call to his room, with herself in a state of vulnerable distress, seeking comfort and reassurance, might generate some interesting consequences. She told Lily she was retiring to bed with a headache brought on by the worry of the day. The presence of her maid at her side would not do at all, and she gave Lily strict instructions not to disturb her.

  Alone in her bedchamber, she changed into a simple white velvet dress. It could almost be a nightgown and was intended to make her appear young and virginal. As indeed she was. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. After an appropriate length of time, she slipped from her suite and silently paced the darkening halls.

  She had barely rounded the final corner when she saw the door to Taran’s room open. He stepped outside. She was about to call his name, but stopped. He was wearing only his breeches, and had his back to her. She watched him appreciatively, admiring his naked torso. She found it easy to imagine her hands on that smooth flesh, and how it would feel to have his strong arms around her. Wondering where he was going so late and in such a state of undress, she waited where she was.

  Then she saw him open the door to Sullyan’s rooms. The Colonel must be expecting him because he didn’t knock, and she heard the Artesan woman’s soft greeting as he entered and closed the door. Jinella felt her heart clench. Pale and shaking, her eyes wide and her expression grim with shock, she concealed herself behind the long drapes at one of the windows. There she waited.

  It seemed like an eternity before her worst fears were realized. Taran reappeared, running his hands through tousled hair. Sullyan stood behind him, wearing only a man’s green shirt, which left very little to the imagination. Jinella could scarcely believe her eyes. “Shameless hussy!” she hissed, her teeth tightly clenched to still their tremor. She saw Sullyan place intimate fingers on Taran’s arm, and saw the man’s warm answering smile as he clasped her hand. He bid her goodnight. They didn’t kiss, but that familiar touch said it all. Then he went to his own door, and closed it behind him.

  Trembling with renewed rage, hot tears of jealousy and betrayal running down her cheeks, Jinella collapsed against the wall.

  Eventually, worry that some castle servant might find her in this state roused her. She stumbled blindly back to her suite, throwing the door open when she reached it. Unable to hold back the tears any longer, she sank to the floor, sobbing loudly.

  Her cries woke her maid, who ran out into the antechamber. Thinking her mistress had been safely abed, Lily had no idea what to do. She stood over Jinella, wringing her hands.

  “Whatever is it, my Lady? Are you ill? Shall I call the physician?”

  Jinella couldn’t speak, couldn’t tell Lily how heartbroken she was. She stopped her maid when Lily moved to call for the physician, but she refused to be comforted. Her hysteria mounted and Lily panicked, breaking away from Jinella’s grasp. “If you won’t have the physician, my Lady, I’ll have to send for your uncle. Maybe he can calm you.”

  Lily rang for a servant and sent the woman scurrying for Baron Reen.

  *****

  Reen had decided to question his niece in the morning, before he left for the Manor with the King. Jinella was not an early riser, and her uncle intended to rouse her before her usual time; a ploy intended to unsettle her and encourage her to divulge what she had learned. After leaving the Queen’s solar, he spoke with his personal Commander, Izack, and learned of the progress of his plans in Andaryon. Satisfied, he retired to his private chambers and was enjoying a leisurely brandy when the worried servant rapped on his chamber door.

  Reen was irritated at being disturbed so late, especially when he learned that the cause was a childish fit of female vapors. Unmarried and childless, Reen had little patience with children. Jinella might be a grown woman, but he still thought of her as the spoiled child she had been before coming to court. When he arrived at her door and found her still indulging in hysterics, he was in no mood to be gentle.

  “For Perdition’s sake, girl, be quiet! You’ll wake the whole castle. Are you determined to humiliate me? Control yourself. Tell me what’s wrong and why I’ve been dragged here in the middle of the night. I warn you, there’d better be a damned good reason or you’ll regret it!”

  His imperious manner was just what Jinella needed. She allowed Lily to dry her tears and took several sobbing gulps of air. Lily guided her to a chair and she collapsed into it. Reen loomed over her like a thunderhead.

  “Now, you silly goose, tell me what has upset you.”

  Jinella tried to compose herself, but a desperate light came into her eyes. Her voice sounded strangled, painful.

  “He betrayed me, Uncle!” she cried. “Oh, he hurt me so much.”

  Reen’s blood froze. “What?” he roared, heedless now of waking the whole castle. He gripped Jinella’s upper arms tightly. “The bastard forced himself on you? Good gods, I’ll carve out his liver!”

  Jinella gasped, realizing what he thought. “No, nothing like that, Uncle! I didn’t mean…. It’s just that he assured me he was unattached—she assured me he was unattached—and all the time they’ve been seeing each other! I knew there was something between them, but he denied it. And now, tonight, I saw it with my own eyes. Oh, how could they do that to me, Uncle? How could they be so cruel?”

  An unholy glee kindled in Reen’s breast and he released his niece’s arms. Seating himself in a chair across from her, he studied her pale face, her red-rimmed eyes, and her wronged expression. Privately, he smiled.

  “Calm yourself, my dear. Lily, get your mistress a glass of wine. Get me one, too.”

  Lily curtseyed and obeyed. Jinella sipped at the strong ruby vintage, her distress gradually fading. Eyeing her over his own glass, Reen was pleased to see her more composed.

  “Now, start from the beginning, my dear, and tell me everything. Tell me
how he seemed, what he did, and how he behaved toward you. Tell me all the little signs you saw that told you they were enamored of each other. And then tell me what you saw this evening that finally convinced you.”

  Tears coming to her eyes again, Jinella obliged. She struggled to stay calm as she related her memories, and all the subtle signs she had seen without fully realizing their import. In a choked voice, she told him everything.

  Her uncle sat quietly, his hands clasped around his wine glass, occasionally sipping but always attentive, ready with a sympathetic look or a click of the tongue at the many slights she had suffered. When she came to the events of the past hour and he heard what she had seen, his face took on an expression of righteous outrage.

  “Well,” he said when she was done, careful to conceal his glee, “you have had a very lucky escape, my dear. I will forbear to say that I warned you against associating with his kind, but I think you have done exceptionally well and carried yourself with admirable dignity in the face of this terrible shock. I have a little something in my rooms which might serve to console you. I will give it to you in the morning. But for now, my dear, you need to rest and recover from this dreadful ordeal.

  “Never fear, Jinella, your inheritance is safe. I think you richly deserve what your father left you. I will personally see to it that these people pay for the injury they have caused you, you have my word on that. And I have no doubt whatsoever that we will find you an eminently suitable match here at court, and you will have the life and security you were born to.

  “I am very pleased with you, niece. Very pleased indeed.”

  By the time he left her, Jinella was feeling soothed and vindicated. Reen, though, was chuckling inwardly at this rare and unlooked-for opportunity. It must be a sign from his God, he thought. Why else should Jinella have needed rescuing in the forest? Why else would it be those two who answered that need? He knew he would never have discovered their sordid little deception by himself, but his niece had been ideally situated to sniff it out. He hugged his delight to his chest. Trust a woman to uncover another woman’s secrets!