Gavriel spun around twice, confused and then shocked. “She’s gone,” he said.
Leo let out a howl of anguish. “I knew it! I knew the Davarigon bitch couldn’t be trusted!”
Gavriel loomed before him. “Be careful, Leo. Be very careful. I’m sure Elka has an explanation for this.”
“Explanation? Explanation? How about treachery? Or betrayal? That has a nice ring. Was it just my imagination or did you notice how friendly the two of them were? She protected his life with her own not so long ago. Now she’s taken him somewhere.”
“You don’t know that!”
“Open your eyes, for Gar’s sake, Gav! She’s gone. And so is he. It doesn’t matter how it came about. It makes no difference whether he charmed her or overwhelmed her or simply persuaded her with reason, but she must be helping him. Or at least one of them would be here where we left them not so long ago.”
“But why? Give me a reason why she would do this?”
Leo shook his head. “What does it matter?”
“It matters. Elka does nothing without rationale. She thinks everything through. I think the last truly spontaneous act that woman made was interfering in my life and wresting me back from those barbarian soldiers.”
“Well, here’s her latest rash act. She’s chosen the emperor over you.”
“That’s ridiculous. Elka and I . . .”
“What?” Leo demanded, his tone full of derision.
Gavriel paused and ran his hand through his hair. “Well, we’ve been close friends for a decade. She hardly knows him. And she’s disgusted by the death he’s wreaked on the Set.”
“And now she’s met him and he’s convinced her to get him away from us. Now more than ever I need the protection of an aegis. Until now I’ve had the disguise of anonymity, the cover of Loethar’s belief that I was killed a long time ago. That is all shattered now. You have to help me. We have to get Faris trammeled.”
“I have to go after her. Make her see reason, understand why she did this. She could have been startled. Maybe she saw other enemies and got him away for all the right reasons?” Gavriel tried.
“Then where are these intruders? We’d see some evidence. And who is going to be traveling this high up, this deep into the forest, by chance?”
Gavriel shook his head. “I just want to know why.”
“First we must return to Faris. I’m now so vulnerable we can’t waste another moment on recriminations. Let’s get the protection we need and then worry about Loethar. He’s injured. He can’t get that far, even on her back,” Leo said with immense disgust. Turning, he headed back through the woods toward where they’d left Kilt.
Gavriel followed, his mind in a daze of confusion.
Chapter Five
He glanced over at her. “Are you all right?”
She gave a tight, nervous smile. “Yes. Just a bit overwhelmed, I suppose.”
“Just move as though you mean it, Lily,” Kirin counseled. “Freath told me this many times over the last ten anni. Half the battle with any form of guise is confidence. Talk like you mean it, walk like you mean it, is what he used to say. If we can convince the first few people we meet, you’ll blend into the palace with ease. I have rooms well away from any of the people you need to fear.”
She nodded. “I trust you, Kirin.”
“I’m glad. Just act the role, Lily; no one’s got any reason to disbelieve it. We’ve gone over our story so many times I almost believe it.”
“Well, we’re not lying, we are married,” she said as she held up her hand. They both looked at the ring on her finger. Lily’s expression was a study in disbelief.
Kirin made his voice as gentle as he could. “Come on, Mrs. Felt, let me show off what a beautiful wife I’ve caught on my travels.”
“After you, Master Felt,” she said, nodding.
Kirin led the way toward the great palace gates, slowing his horse as the guards stepped out. He recognized three of them.
“You’re back,” said a young man whose name, Kirin recalled, was Jert. “People have been worried about you.”
“Worried?” Kirin frowned. “Why? Surely Master Freath told everyone I was on a sabbatical?”
“Erm, well, we’ve had bad news from the north,” Jert said, pointing him through the gates.
Kirin’s anxiety deepened. “What kind of bad news?” he asked as he got off his horse to lead it through.
The young man shook his head. “We’re not sure what it means—not much detail filters down to us. But the news this morning is that General Stracker is headed back to Brighthelmstone today . . . alone. He should be here shortly. The runner came by almost exactly on the last bell.”
“Alone? Without whom?” Kirin asked, shaking his head, confused as another familiar soldier joined them, an older man. “Hello, Kain.”
“Master Kirin. Good to see you back safe and sound.”
Kirin found a grin. “I’ve been a little busy finding myself a wife,” he said, gesturing to Lily as he handed over his reins to a young stableboy.
His two companions laughed and Kirin snuck a glance at Lily. She was smiling, but he could tell she was uncomfortable with the men’s attention. Clearing his throat, he said hastily, “I suppose I should have sent word but I presumed Freath would advise all who needed to know. Anyway, who did you expect should be accompanying the general?”
“The emperor, Master Kirin,” Jert replied. “Loethar went north in search of his brother after their mother died.”
Kirin paused, privately delighted at this news. “Gar’s breath!” he forced out, making sure he sounded shocked and appropriately sorrowful. “She seemed in good health when I left.”
“She was,” the older man said, an edge of sarcasm in his voice. “And while nothing’s being said, we all think that’s why the empress has been banished.”
“Banished?” Kirin repeated, definitely surprised by this news and even more delighted. “Why?”
Kain winked. “It’s not for me to say. Let’s just agree that the emperor didn’t trust her story that his mother died of natural causes.” He tapped his nose as though they were speaking in confidence.
Kirin felt his mouth drop open. Finally he said, “I’ve only been gone a short while. Any more death or drama to speak of?” He said it lightly, as a means of extricating himself and Lily, expecting the guards would shake their heads and he could move on, but the soldier called Kain grew serious.
“It sounds like you haven’t heard about Master Freath?”
Kirin felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. “Freath? No. What’s wrong with him? I was at his side just a few days ago.”
Kain nodded. “Yes, I thought so. I presume that’s why the general is keen to speak to you.”
“What? Why?”
Kain shrugged. “To ask you who might have killed Freath.”
“Killed . . . pardon?” Kirin took a breath. “Freath is dead?” he murmured, the final word catching in his throat.
“Already buried, I believe.”
“But why . . . who? . . .” Kirin trailed off, feeling sick and frightened. “And the general thinks I had something to do with it?” he continued, his throat feeling as though it were closing.
The man nodded. “Well, I think the emperor and our general believe that you might have some information that could help,” he said carefully.
Kirin couldn’t speak for a few moments. Finally he stuttered, “Forgive me, this news is a shock.”
“I know you and he were close. Anyway, I shall let General Stracker know you are returned. He will want to speak with you immediately.”
“Excuse me, Kain. I . . . I need to . . .” He didn’t finish his sentence. Grabbing Lily’s arm, he urged her away from the guards. “We have to get away from here,” he growled beneath his breath.
“What?”
“Don’t react. Just walk. Smile at me. I said smile.” She found one. “Good, well done. Now put your hand against my chest as though you’re concern
ed for me.”
She did as she was asked. “Believe me, I am concerned for you. What happens now?”
He turned to her and swallowed. “Freath’s dead. I don’t know what to do. He was our protection.”
Lily looked ahead, and he could tell her head was swimming with the same anxieties as his own.
“We’re going to get some money and then we’re gone. All right?”
She nodded, looking frightened. “Are we in immediate danger here?”
“Yes, we could be.”
“Oh, Kirin—”
“You have to trust me now. I won’t let anything happen to you, Lily.”
She didn’t look convinced. “You said I was a liability from the moment I opened my mouth and claimed to be your wife.”
“None of this is your fault. And you are my wife, don’t forget that.”
She nodded, none of the fear leaving her expression.
“I need you to force yourself to be calm and to just pretend. We will get through this.”
People nodded and smiled at them, some even stopped to pass a few words with Kirin, and Lily felt herself in a whirl of activity and congratulations as her husband put aside his fears and feigned precisely the right blend of charm and sorrow. Yes, he’d just received the terrible news of Freath, yes, they’d only just arrived back into the capital to hear the dire revelation, wasn’t it dreadful about Dara Negev—whoever she is, Lily thought—and this was his new wife. She found herself being admired, eyed up and down, even hugged by a very jolly woman, and all the time Kirin was dragging her gently forward. They walked down corridors, up two flights of stairs, across landings, and then up another spiraling staircase. The palace became quieter and quieter until Kirin stood before a door. From around his neck he pulled a thong. And the key that hung from it opened the door, the timber creaking as he pushed it open.
“Here we are,” he said, throwing her a sad glance. “Welcome to my home of the last ten anni.”
* * *
The general threw the reins of his horse at the approaching stableman, barely acknowledging the soldiers around him who stood straighter and touched a hand to one cheek in a sign of recognition of the tribes.
Stracker’s tatua was drawn back by a snarl. How had Loethar got away? He’d ridden ahead of his henchmen, too disgusted to travel with them or even look at them right now. Fires of Aludane! The man had too many lives! Now he had no ally, only enemies.
Stracker strode through the halls and corridors of Brighthelmstone, startling palace workers, making for the wing reserved strictly for the emperor. His towering, threatening presence brooked no argument and he was permitted to barge into his brother’s chambers unchallenged. Once in Loethar’s salon, he slammed the door shut, yelling that he was to be left undisturbed unless information was forthcoming. Then, standing by one of the tall windows where he had so often seen his brother position himself as he pondered an issue, Stracker now adopted a similar position and brooded.
He had never been the clever son but it angered him that his family constantly underrated his ability, ever since Loethar had beaten him—more than beaten . . . humiliated him—on the day when the tribe fought for leadership. Yes, Loethar had been a magnificent warrior in his day, although Stracker wondered how fast those lightning quick skills might be today. He had certainly capitulated with ease back in the forest; hadn’t even offered the slightest resistance.
Instead, his brother had spoken about honor and duty. Stracker gave a choked sound of anger as he stared out toward the forest fringe. Loethar had become so naturalized as a Denovian that not only did he no longer look like he was Steppes-born, he didn’t even seem to think like a tribesman any more. His brother had become more and more a stranger to him until now their intentions, their whole outlooks, seemed to be on opposite ends.
Once again Stracker wished he had been able to wheedle out of his mother which of the tribal lords had fathered Loether. Stracker had tried many times but it was one subject she had been entirely closed to. Being her first born he would have thought she’d one day share this detail with him but she took that secret to her death. He wondered if Loethar knew.
But where was he now? he screamed in his mind. And who was protecting him? He had never seen who hurled the stone that struck his temple. He touched the spot now and felt the tenderness, pain shooting across his head. It made him livid to think that anyone would dare take a shot at him. He would find that person and tear him limb from limb with his bare hands.
A knock at the door interrupted his angry thoughts.
“What?” he roared.
The door opened slowly, tentatively, and a young messenger peered in.
“You’d want to have some news to risk interrupting me,” Stracker snarled.
The young man cleared his throat. He didn’t step inside any further and he didn’t close the door behind him. “General Stracker, you asked me to find out if there was any news regarding Kirin Felt. General, Master Felt arrived today.”
“What?” Stracker roared and took a pace forward.
The youngster quailed, instantly fell into Steppes language in his fear, and began to gabble. “He is in Brighthelmstone. According to the men at the gates, he has a new wife. They . . . they arrived during the last bell, not that long before you did.”
“Find them! I wish to speak with them immediately.”
“I thought you would say that, general, and I have already organized an escort. I sensed this man is important to you.”
Stracker was surprised. The boy showed intuition. The useful kind. “Very good. What is your name?”
“Leak, general.”
“I will remember you, Leak. Go fetch Kirin Felt and bring his wife also. Do not brook any argument,” he said, returning to the Denovian language that Loethar had always insisted upon. “And one more thing: I want you to fetch someone else for me, too.”
As soon as he was inside the deceptively large chamber, Kirin appeared to crumple in on himself. All the bravado and courage deserted him and he sat on the bed staring at the straw on the floor.
Lily waited, unsure at first. Then she sat alongside him and took his hand. Cradling it between her palms, she rubbed it softly. “I’m so sorry about Freath,” she began gently.
He shook his head. “How can it be? I should have stayed with him. Perhaps I could have—”
“Kirin,” she cut in, determined to stop the wave of recrimination that she sensed was coming, “no amount of blaming yourself can convince me that Freath didn’t know he was living on borrowed time.”
He turned to stare at her with damp eyes. “What do you mean?”
Lily raised his hand and kissed it softly, briefly. “From everything you’ve told me about courageous Freath, he has been risking his life since before you even came to the palace. He had committed himself to his double life, knew the risks, accepted the consequences. In a way, he’d already given his life to the Valisars.”
Kirin looked broken. “He often said that. He would tell me that death was not something he feared because death walked alongside him each day.”
Lily nodded. “He truly was a brave and loyal man. Leonel owes him so much.”
“He was on his way to meet with the king. I just don’t see how things could have gone wrong.”
“I imagine we’ll hear the details soon enough. For now you must accept that nothing you do can bring him back. You have to concentrate on protecting your life . . . and mine.”
He gazed at her for a moment, unblinking, and then nodded. “You’re right. We haven’t time to spare for grieving. We have to get away from here. That’s the main task.”
“What are you planning? Where shall we go?”
“Where we go is the least of our problems. Right now we just need to get as far from General Stracker as possible. The man is mad and has always hated us Vested. With Freath I enjoyed a certain amount of protection simply because he was so close to Loethar. But his death will signal a change, especially with the emp
eror not even in the palace. Loethar might have tolerated Freath’s association with me but I doubt very much if he’ll lose any sleep over hearing that I met with an accidental death on the end of one of Stracker’s swords.” He gave a grim smile. “And even if he doesn’t kill me he’s almost certainly going to pack me off to wherever the hell they were taking all those other Vested.”
“Right,” Lily said, nodding, desperate to be optimistic in her trust of Kirin. “What can I do?”
He began opening drawers. “Pack whatever you think we might need. Keep it light. There’s some medicines in that cabinet over there,” he said, pointing.
Lily made a scoffing sound. “We don’t need those. I am a walking medicine cabinet, please trust that.”
He nodded. “Fine. Help me with this floorboard then.” Quickly he inserted a thin letter opener into a crack between two boards, raising one of them slightly.
She squatted opposite him. “Is this where you keep your money?”
“I’m afraid so. Not very creative, am I?”
She smiled and pulled on the lifted board. It sighed and then with a soft creak gave way. Beneath it was a sack. Kirin lifted it out and opened it for her to look inside.
Lily raised a shocked gaze to him. “Kirin, that’s a small fortune in coin.”
He shrugged. “I’ve never had need for money but Freath insisted on my receiving a stipend from the Crown. I’m not sure whether Loethar or Stracker even knew about it. We’ll split it up between us, just in case we get separated or robbed. It’s too noisy for one person to carry anyway.”
Lily nodded, still amazed at the amount of money before her. They busied themselves stashing the coin in pockets and little pouches that Kirin produced, stringing the pouches around each of their necks and two each from their waists.
“There,” Kirin said at last, satisfied. “Whatever we now need we can buy.”
“Then let’s go. What’s the plan?”
He bit his lip. “It’s too risky to try and organize horses. We’ll have to leave on foot and worry about transport later. We can leave by one of the side gates. I think it’s best if we head down to the chapel. It’s probably the quietest area of the palace complex and at this time will likely be deserted. There’s—”
King’s Wrath Page 5