The Swithin Chronicles 3: The Comet Cometh

by Sharon Maria Bidwell

  “Most of what is in the book is forbidden, apparently. It’s a little late for you to worry about that now. Are you in this or not?” Anger seeped into his voice. Ryanac laid a hand on his shoulder. Just as well. Kilan’s next words did nothing to help.

  “I meant it’s specifically forbidden to do such a thing with a normal person.”

  “Does that make Uly and Ryanac less than us or the two of us abnormal?”

  His brother blanched, his face turning whiter, highlighting the strain they both suffered. “I’m no ‑‑”

  “No what? Freak?”

  “Take it easy,” Ryanac said, his warm voice soft. Markis slapped his hand away and rose to his feet. Ignoring the guard, he gazed down at his brother.

  “If you thought my being your brother would make me an easy teacher, you are mistaken. If you want, I’ll hand you back to the council and let them oversee your training. A few hard months with me, or choose a couple of decades, no sex, lessons where you call the power, and it has nowhere to go but to wreak havoc with your bowels. It even splits your skin, so you can sit in blood and piss, listening to old men preach how they know best while your balls want to burst for want of release, or your skin aches for one friendly touch…”

  He had taken a step towards his brother, only realising it when Ryanac’s arms slid under his, the hands going behind his neck and gripping. His friend, his personal guard, held him captive the same way he had once held Uly so long ago. Markis wanted to struggle, but knew he couldn’t break the grip. He shouted at Kilan instead. “Get out!” His brother obeyed him, pressing a hand over his mouth as he left.

  “Let go of me,” Markis snapped the moment the door closed.

  “No. Not until you calm down.”

  He struggled, tried to push backwards, tried to twist, tried to kick. The kick might have worked if Ryanac hadn’t kicked him first, lightly, in warning.

  “Calm down, Markis.”

  “I’ll hurt you.” The only way he could do that was with the comet.

  “No, you won’t.” That warm voice sounded so self-assured. “You love me too much.”

  Despite everything, he made Markis laugh. The humour dissipated, turning to pain. “You trust me that much?”

  “I trust you with my life, my heart, my spirit. If you don’t know that by now, you never will. Right now, Uly’s trusting you as much as I am.” He relaxed his grip, and Markis turned.

  “How long have you been mine?” Markis asked him. He watched the smile appear and grow.

  “Since you fell in a well, and I jumped in to save you.”

  “We were children.”

  “So? It’s not unusual for children to grow up together and fall in love as a result. Often, those are the strongest relationships.” Ryanac’s gaze flicked from side to side. “Don’t you remember what happened? You can look into my mind and see it, but I can tell you. I jumped in to save you, true. Yet when I asked you to trust me, you just did. You swallowed your panic and did what I told you without question. You trusted me to save you. How is that different from my trusting you every day since? You’ll never let me down because it’s not possible. You can’t fail me. If I had died the other day, it wouldn’t have been because you hadn’t tried.”

  “You should listen to your own words.”

  The smile turned rueful. “I know. But I made a foolish promise, and right now, Uly thinks I died and cannot keep it. I would spare him both pains. We need you, so hold it together. Apologise to your brother. Also, stop threatening him with what will happen if you stop the lessons. If he needs to know how bad the alternative is, I’ll be the one to tell him.”

  * * * * *

  When Markis walked into the room, Kilan stood bent over the sink. He took a mouthful of the running water, rinsed out his mouth, and spat. There was a sour smell to the room.

  “Did I make you sick?”

  The younger man shook his head. “No. My headache did.” He closed his eyes, frowning, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Were the lessons really as bad as you said?”

  “Worse.” Markis crossed the room and leant against the edge of the basin. He took hold of his brother’s hand and squeezed. “If you doubt me, Ryanac has just said he will describe them to you.”

  “I thought he wasn’t allowed in during a lesson.”

  “You ever tried telling Ryanac he can’t go somewhere or do something?”

  “I wouldn’t like to.”

  They rested a moment, and then Markis said, “I came in to ask if you wanted a break, perhaps to eat.” Kilan looked positively ill at the thought. Markis smiled. “I remember how that feels.” He paused, about to make a confession. “What I’m pushing you to do is similar to a lesson. It’s too much too soon, and I had promised myself I wouldn’t do this to you. I should have warned you, but I was afraid you’d refuse.”

  Understandably, the other man didn’t look pleased, but his expression quickly changed. He shrugged. “I would do the same for someone I loved.”

  “Still, I don’t like using people.”

  Kilan looked up. “You’re a king. One day you may have to. There’s one difference between you and our father, and it’s a big one.” They looked at each other. “If you think our father ordered men to their deaths easily, you’re mistaken, but he didn’t pay it any attention either. He accepted it had to be done so he didn’t think about it afterwards. You would do the same, but you’d cut yourself up about it. Do that too often, and you’ll cease to exist in the manner we know you. Ryanac is going out there to be ruthless. What do you think he’s going to do?” Kilan’s bright gaze looked a little feverish as it darted back and forth. “When he finds Uly, he’s going to gut every person who stands between them. He’ll be as ruthless as he needs to be, no more and no less. I suggest you do the same, so forget what I said in there. I had no right. You don’t need to apologise, and you didn’t have to explain yourself either. You’re my king as well as my brother. It may not always feel like it, but the Swithin people need you.”

  “You trust me as your king?”

  Kilan nodded.

  “You trust me as your brother?”

  He hesitated this time, but clearly only in confusion. He nodded again.

  “Then maybe there’s something else you do need to know. About Mairtin.”

  Kilan’s gaze narrowed, and Markis began to tell him about the portal and the person responsible.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “You’ll wear a groove in the floor.”

  He had decided Uly was no more than thirty miles away. That meant the Eastwood. Ryanac had left a few hours ago after making Markis and Kilan promise to stay close to each other as though they were small boys. With Antal guarding Tressa, and Harton off with Ryanac, it did leave Markis feeling strangely exposed. Ryanac had stood at his side as an almost constant companion for so long that more than a few hours apart left him feeling isolated.

  Alone.

  He loved Tressa. They would have a fine life together. He cared for his youngest brother. Harton and Antal were excellent Sonndre, but none meant as much to him as the two men who couldn’t be with him right now. Faith. He had to have faith. Uly would hold on. Ryanac would save him. They would be together again.

  “Are you all right?”

  His brother, who had just complained about his pacing, now looked at Markis with an uneasy expression.

  “I wouldn’t say that exactly. I’m as fine as I can be.”

  A knock came at the door. Both men jumped and swung their gaze around to look at it. Kilan stood up, hesitated when Markis looked at him, and then shook his head before marching purposefully across the room. Markis stood there, feeling foolish. This was ridiculous that a young man only a little more than half his age should be acting as his Sonndre, but he and Ryanac had insisted.

  Someone spoke through the slight gap in the door. Kilan’s expression was unreadable but somehow priceless. He nodded and closed the door, leaning against it for a minute. “That was someone inform
ing us that our brother has just arrived.” He looked up, eyes just a little too wide. “Is it me, or has the world suddenly become a very strange place?”

  “Strange and awkward. He’ll want an audience.”

  His brother’s gaze roved about the room. “We can’t have him here. He’ll be asking to see Ryanac’s body as it is. I’ll have to stand guard and make sure no one gets in.”

  He winced. Kilan was right, of course. Mairtin would want to stand over Ryanac’s corpse and gloat. That brought bile to the back of his throat, but the situation could work in his favour. It wouldn’t look so strange for him to refuse, as even if Ryanac were dead, there was no way Markis would have let Mairtin anywhere near him.

  “I don’t like this.” Kilan sounded as though he might vomit again.

  “I know, but he won’t do anything obvious. You can serve me best by staying here as you say.”

  The younger man’s gaze grew troubled. “Are you sure he’s involved? Are you so certain he’s to blame?”

  “I don’t see who else it can be, and his arrival is somewhat timely.” Markis drew in a breath and drew on a coat that looked more official. He looked up as he straightened his cuffs. “I guess I’m about to find out the truth.”

  * * * * *

  “Greetings, brother.” Mairtin walked down the corridor towards Markis, a broad grin on his face, though “walked” was rather too mild a word for it. Behind him, his retinue scurried to keep up. It took all Markis had not to pull away when his brother clasped him about the shoulders in a hug. The hug was hard, tight, without affection, but that wasn’t something the others could see. Only the one receiving the hug could feel the lack of love in it. Mairtin drew back, still smiling. Then his face grew troubled. “I came as soon as I heard. How may I be of service?”

  They fell into step and walked towards the council chambers. There were private rooms there, and Markis would make use of one of them.

  “I would like to pay my respects to the body.”

  “I would rather you didn’t…for now.” Markis spoke carefully, aware those around them could overhear.

  “I understand. Would you permit me to arrange the disposal? Or Kilan? I hear he is here.” Mairtin shook his head as though sadly. “I suppose we should lament that our brother was sent home from the academy in such a shameful way, but we may as well make use of him. I’m sure even he wouldn’t mess up Ryanac’s funeral.”

  “I really haven’t given it much thought.”

  “My dear brother, we have to. The body ‑‑”

  “I have encased the body in ice and will do so every few hours.” He looked at Mairtin directly as he paused by a door. Men rushed forward to open it. He gave Mairtin a gentle smile. “Don’t forget, I am the comet. The body will wait until I am ready to bury it, and that will not be until Uly is safely returned to me so that we can do it together with the proper respect. Shall we talk in here?”

  Mairtin gave a slight bow of his head. “Of course.”

  Markis stepped through the doorway first, leaving Mairtin to nod to those behind to close the door. The king went and sat behind the great desk, his fingers laced, the tips of his thumbs pressed together. The two men stared at each other for a moment.

  “I take it there are to be no more portals,” Markis said.

  Mairtin smiled. “It was flashy, I admit, but it did what I intended it to do.”

  He didn’t just mean contact. Mairtin had wanted Markis to know he was involved.

  “I’m stronger than you.” Even as Markis said it, he realised it sounded churlish, but his brother would know he didn’t mention this simple fact out of vanity. There was a question in there. What did Mairtin hope to gain?

  “I came for the book, Markis. That is all.”

  “The only way you can keep the book is to keep Uly, and I cannot allow that.”

  “Why? What will you do? Fight me for it after I have it?”

  His brother had a fair point but Markis didn’t believe this was simply going to be an exchange. Even if that were true, no way could he sit by while Mairtin used the book wilfully, and his brother knew it.

  Mairtin moved forward, removing his cloak. He sat on the edge of the desk, which put him in a position towering over his king. Their father would never have allowed it. Markis ignored it. If his brother wanted to think he could win the battle with these petty victories, then he was happy to let him. “I’m guessing Stargazer’s part in most of this, but how does he fit into your plans now?”

  Mairtin let out a snort. “He doesn’t.”

  “Does he know that?”

  “No, and I don’t care if you tell him. He won’t believe you.”

  “I don’t suppose he would. I’m just surprised, is all. I’m amazed the old man would agree to let you read the book any more than he wanted me to see it.”

  “He always planned to let me read it. He planned not only for me to read it but to teach me what lay in its pages. He was most put out when they sent him as head of the seers to oversee your training.”

  Markis kept his face neutral as though none of this was news to him, but it was a struggle. Could it be resentment had something to do with way Stargazer had treated him all these years? He must have given something away in his face, or Mairtin was just guessing. His brother laughed.

  “Oh, he was hard on you, but the lessons have been as hard for me. I know what it is like to want release and have to deny it. I know what it’s like to see your blood seep through your skin.”

  “It never seemed to bother you. I never heard you complain.”

  Mairtin sneered. “Unlike you, not all of us whine. I accepted what I had to do.” He stood up, paced in a tight circle, and looked back. “Who are you to break the rules? What kind of Shavar Sardian can you make if you cannot deny your own body’s demands? It’s a cock, Markis, nothing more. You are supposed to control it, not the other way around.”

  “It does not control me. My heart does.”

  His brother’s gaze swept up and down over his body, making his skin crawl, but Markis did not respond. “Pitiful things,” Mairtin said, and Markis felt certain he referred to heart and cock both.

  “I chose to embrace life as well as the comet, and the strange thing is, despite all the protestations I keep hearing, despite those that insist I did the wrong thing, it has made me stronger. I don’t see what you hope to gain. I don’t see why Stargazer preferred you learn from its pages.”

  “Clearly the old man’s favouritism disturbs you.” Mairtin appeared to find the idea amusing. He ignored the question in Markis’s statement. “I’ll make you an offer. Give me the book and I’ll take Stargazer with me as a favour. Do that, and I will arrange for Uly to be returned to you.”

  “Once you’ve left. Once you’re safely many miles from here.”

  “Yes.”

  Markis shook his head, bringing the tips of his fingers up to his lips in thought. He stood and faced the other man. “Even without the book, I am still stronger. I don’t trust you. How do you know you can trust me? I won’t simply forget that you betrayed me. That you are…” He stopped. He had to pretend that Mairtin was responsible for Ryanac’s death. Thinking back on how his friend had looked lying there at the edge of that dark precipice made it easy. “You killed my friend. You hold my Samir. Why should I let you walk?”

  “How can you not? You have no proof. The only proof you have convicts you as well. You took a book from the council.”

  “Most of the council don’t even know it exists.”

  “And most of them are old, foolish men who will take exception to the fact they weren’t told. It will cause years of unrest, and once again, the Swithin race will look weak as it did when our father grew sick. The Azulites don’t like you right now. They might take more kindly to another king on the throne, one who has not soiled one of their women.”

  Now he knew where Mairtin was going with this, but he might as well make him say it. “I would not let them invade.” Markis let a little of
his despair and weariness creep into his voice.

  “Come now,” Mairtin said. “There’s no need for this falsehood between us. We both remember what happened at places like the Kimber Pass. Your…friend fought there. He almost lost his life there, as did many Swithin. Even when our father was strong, he could not be everywhere at once. We hold the power of the universe, yet we are men and have our limitations. The Azulites will not go to war over one little princess, especially after what it is rumoured you did to her. They will consider it only if they think they can win.”

  So his brother intended to betray more than their family. “You against me?” Mairtin nodded. “I’m stronger.”

  “So you keep saying, but they don’t know that. Besides, I have learned a few things from the book before our father foolishly sent Stargazer to oversee your studies. Then the silly old man wouldn’t hand it over. He said I needed him.” Mairtin put all his disgust into that one word. “I told him his guidance wasn’t necessary, which you’ve proved. Still, I had access to it before you did. Oh, you’ve learned some things from the book too, of course, but I have the advantage.”

  The old man had possessed the book for a long time. Markis had learned many things since acquiring it, but there were many more. Stargazer could have passed over something important, something that would destroy Markis without the need to have access to the comet’s full wrath. Stargazer had had the book for many years, almost all his life. The old man knew just what to look for, and yes, he would be happy to teach Mairtin, so despite his brother’s protestations that he no longer needed Stargazer’s help and he would take the old man with him as a favour to remove him quietly from Markis’s sight, Markis knew better than to believe him. The difference this time would be that Mairtin would not allow Stargazer control of the book, but he would let the old man help him. The advantage in Mairtin’s case would be an eager teacher, something Markis had never had, apparently.

  “You accuse me, and you will weaken our race even within these walls.” Mairtin’s voice broke into Markis’s thoughts. “While we are arguing, other races will take advantage of it. You need to prove what I’ve done, and you don’t have proof. It will take years for them to sort out the mess.”