A muffled male voice responded. “Who is it?”
“Lady Irvaine. I need to speak with Kuylan.”
Silence.
My heart thundered in my chest despite my deliberately slow breathing. Finally the lock turned and clunked, each sound echoing in the space around me. The door opened few inches, and the half familiar features of Kuylan peered at me through the crack.
“It is she,” he informed someone behind him. Stepping back, he made room for me to enter. The moment I was through, he closed the door again and a second man locked it.
I swallowed back the panic that gripped my gut. One door in and out. The one locked door to which I did not hold the key. I forced myself to focus on assessing my surroundings.
Long and low, the room offered little to cheer its occupants. The dirt floor was swept clean. Three pallets leaned against the far wall and the fourth lay next to them, made up as a bed and recently slept in. Considering Kuylan’s rumpled appearance, I surmised he had been resting. Four lanterns and a roaring fire in the fireplace lit the whole room in a golden glow.
A scarred table crowded the center of the space. Two of the four chairs around the table were occupied by young men, neither familiar. A fourth man, the one with the key, stood–no, stooped since he was unusually tall and lean. The ceiling barely cleared Kuylan’s head and he hunched slightly cradling the thick bandage about his middle.
“Stand to attention men,” the tall, lean one barked, “Lady Irvaine is here. Captain Parrian at your service, my lady.” He bowed gracefully.
The other two scrambled to their feet and saluted as best they could considering the conditions.
“Woral and Isankin,” Parrian introduced the two. Isankin looked like he was barely old enough to leave home, and Woral’s smile warmed my heart with its sincerity. All of them were a refreshing change from the stranger guarding the armory.
“Parrian, I have reason to believe that an escape is being planned. Are you the commander of the remnant of men my husband left behind?”
“I am, my lady. What kind of escape? How do they plan on getting him out?” He nodded toward one of the doors lining the far wall. “It isn’t as though they would get far. We post four on duty in constant rotation. No one has keys to both locks, not even yourself, my lady.”
“I don’t know their plans, but I do know they plan an attempt tonight.”
Parrian frowned. I could see him debating whether or not to request my source.
“I overheard two of the conspirators, the former Lady Irvaine and an unknown man.” I pushed back against the shame, but I couldn’t hide the heat rushing to my face. “They were discussing me as an incentive, should he cooperate.”
Genuine sympathy warmed Parrian’s eyes. “I am sorry, my lady, but I am not sure what I can do to prepare beyond extra vigilance and giving you a personal guard.”
I could see they were already doing all they could to ensure Jorndar stayed right where Tomas had put him.
“I will consider it. For now, be wary of Rolendis and anything connected with her.”
“I assure you we shall, my lady. Thank you for informing us.” A chorus of thank yous from the other three supported his gratitude.
Realizing there was nothing more I could do, I turned back toward the locked door. Parrian unlocked it for me. When he eased it open to let me pass, he spoke again. “Pardon my forwardness, my lady, but is there more?”
Looking up into his honest, friendly face, I wanted to spill the whole story of the scene at the armory, including the plot against Mendal. But then he would feel obligated to confront the man. Dealing with that man would not deal with the root problem, and I knew Parrian had very few loyal men at his disposal.
“Thank you, Captain, but I intend to handle it myself.”
He frowned slightly, but nodded. “I understand, my lady, but should you need anything, ever, please let me know. Lord Irvaine made it explicit that you were to be protected at all costs.”
I shifted my attention to climbing the stairs as though he had not mentioned Tomas. But, in the depths of my heart, I was pleased Tomas took the time to see that I would be defended should I need it. Pausing on the first step, I turned to meet the Captain’s watchful gaze. “Thank you, Captain, you have eased my fears already.”
I climbed to the outer door by the light of the open lower one. The key came to my hand readily. The moment I set the teeth into the lock, Parrian closed the door at the foot of the stair and secured it. I stepped out into the suddenly expansive corridor and turned my face to the sunlight pouring through the casements high above.
I needed a better solution. Waiting for the conspirators to move seemed more foolish by the moment. If they wanted me, they would have to find me. I was going to go and do what I could to stop another civil war.
I strode to the entrance to the great hall. The doors were spread wide. As I hoped, women moved about preparing to serve the coming meal. I spotted the young serving girl from the garden among them. Approaching her, I was once again struck by her youth.
She didn’t notice me until I stood practically at her side. She dropped the jug of ale in her surprise. I caught it, barely.
“My lady?” Her face drained of color. “I am sorry, my lady, I didn’t see you there. Here, let me take that for you.” She reached for the jug.
I pulled it closer to my chest and stepped back out of her reach. “Not until you tell me your name.”
Her confusion swiftly melted into suspicion. “I am Tatin.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Tatin.” I extended the jug to her. “May I ask a favor?”
“You are the lady, my lady.” A sullen curl pulled at her bottom lip.
I tilted my head as I studied her expression for a moment. “No, this truly is a favor, Tatin. You may tell me nay.”
“Without punishment?”
“None.”
“Then no.” She took the jug and settled it on her hip.
I was disappointed and didn’t bother to hide it. “Very well, thank you for your honesty.” I glanced around to find all the other servants had fled. I would have to find another person to help me.
“My lady?” The hesitancy in Tatin’s voice gave me hope.
“Yes, Tatin?”
“What was it that you wanted me to do for you?”
“I need a personal maid, someone I can trust to run errands and not speak of what she sees or is asked to do.”
“Then why me?”
I smiled warmly to balance the possible sting of my words. “You don’t seem to be fitting well into your role as a server. You might be better suited for a different role. I need someone willing to stand alone and apart without friends among the lower servants. My position at this time demands a certain tenacity of character in my personal servant.”
She peered into my face. “You are in earnest? You aren’t making me into a fool for the amusement of the others?”
“I promise to never purposefully make fun of you.”
Her eyes widened. “In that case, may I change my answer, my lady?”
“You wish to accept?”
“Yes.”
“Then, take the jug back to the kitchen and tell your immediate superior—“
“The cook,” she supplied.
I nodded. “Tell the cook that you are now my personal servant, accountable directly and only to me.”
“She won’t believe me.”
“If she doesn’t, bring her with you when you complete your first task. I need you to find my husband’s personal servant, Master Jarvin.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “I know who he is.”
“Good. Ask him courteously to attend me in my chamber. I wish to speak to him. Then report to me in my chamber. I will have many more tasks for you to accomplish before the evening.”
“Are you going to be eating in the great hall, you and the children?”
“Now that you mention it, I don’t think we shall.”
“Then I shal
l order trays brought up.” She turned and bounded a few steps, but then stopped and spun to face me again. “If that is what you wish.”
The mixture of excitement and barely maintained humility on her face made me want to laugh, but that would have been cruel. I smiled instead.
“Yes, that would be perfect, Tatin.”
She curtseyed quickly before leaping into a run in the direction of the kitchen.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter Sixteen
My chamber door was still locked when I reached it. I knocked. Anise readily unlocked it after she verified my identity. Her brow creased at the sight of my face.
“What is wrong?”
“We must leave at twilight.” I crossed to the chest where I stashed my travel gear, but she beat me there and stopped my hand from raising the lid.
“I am not about to drag my grandson on the road again without good reason.”
I closed my eyes and drew a deep breath. “I would not ask you to do it without reason. However, someone wishes to take him from you. Rolendis, that woman in the passage, is the former Lord Irvaine’s widow. She carries his child and is involved in a plot to claim the title for her child instead of your son.”
“How?”
“Sir Jorndar promised her the title in exchange for freeing him.”
Anise turned pale. I had thought nothing would shake her.
“Sir Jorndar is here?”
I nodded and opened my mouth to ask what hold he had on her but was stalled by a sharp knock on the door. The sound disturbed the children. Elise woke with a cry of fear. Darnay rolled to his feet, shedding his covering as he drew his wooden sword.
Anise moved to quiet the children and I answered the door.
Three surprised faces greeted me on the other side.
“You wished to speak with me?” Jarvin’s features regained his usual impassive expression as though I summoned him every day, but his eyes questioned me. I couldn’t read the particulars in his gaze, though.
“Yes, I do, Jarvin. Please step inside. I will be with you momentarily.”
As he stepped past me into the room, the cook finally recovered her shock that I had personally opened the door and found her tongue.
“My lady, Tatin here has informed me that your ladyship has promoted her to personal attendant to your person.”
I hadn’t heard it called that before, but it sounded about right for the position I intended her to fill.
“That is true.”
“She has a reputation below stairs, my lady, for being insolent.”
“I have seen the evidence myself.”
“She tends to forget the niceties I strive to drill into her.”
“I know.”
The woman peered at me. Her eyes narrowed in her wide face. “We have many more qualified girls who would be happy to serve you, my lady. I can provide someone much more suitable immediately. I am not saying she isn’t a good lass, just rough. In a few years, perhaps, she might be ready, but—”
I cut her off with a slight raise of my hand.
“As I explained to Tatin before she accepted the position, she has some qualities that I value more than respectfulness, humility, or knowing her place. I will teach her the niceties she should know, but for now I will take her with her rough edges.”
The cook’s ruddy face broke into a wide smile. “Oh good, my lady.”
“This pleases you?”
“Oh, yes, Tatin is my baby sister’s youngest, my lady. She is a good one at heart, but many can’t get past that prideful streak in her to see it.” She nodded toward Tatin, who stood silently by turning red as a pickled beet. “I just wanted to make sure you wanted her, tongue and all.”
“I do.”
Tatin met my gaze with relief, and I smiled at her.
Cook curtseyed and made to return to her kitchen, but I stopped her. “Cook, if you need a replacement set of hands, please speak to Horacian. Tell him I said you can replace Tatin with a girl of your choice.”
“Thank you, my lady.” The woman’s smile lifted her cheeks into balls. She strode off down the passage obviously intent on returning to her domain and overseeing the pending meal.
Tatin slipped past me with a murmured appreciation, her behavior far different than the bold child of before. I knew her brashness would return soon.
“What are you about, Lady Brielle?” Jarvin asked the moment the door closed.
I locked it before answering him.
“Rolendis is plotting to release Jorndar tonight. I have been—” I halted when I encountered Darnay’s wide gaze. I tried again. “A certain prize…” I lay my hand on my chest. “…was offered as incentive for the men of the vargar guard to assist.”
“Surely not our men!” Jarvin’s horror blanched his face.
“No. I warned Captain Parrian that a prison break was planned for tonight, but there is little he can do beyond what he is already doing. I certainly don’t expect him to arrange a personal guard for me, Anise, and the children.” A single glance at the two youngsters listening earnestly to my words made it clear that I couldn’t speak of the plot against King Mendal yet. Such a secret was too grave to trust to such young ones.
“What do you intend do? How can I help?” Jarvin asked.
“If Anise is willing, I propose we all leave tonight at twilight as quietly and secretly as possible.”
“I can arrange for horses to be ready, but where?”
“Is there a postern gate somewhere?”
“I haven’t discovered one yet,” Jarvin admitted.
Tatin waved her hand at me. “I know where you could get out. The gate is in the garden, from when the gardens served as the kennel. There is a tunnel that you can crawl through. Though I don’t think you could fit through, Master Jarvin, with your limp and all.”
“Don’t you mind me.” He frowned. “I can get out just fine on my own.” He turned to me. “But what about supplies and gear? I can’t go gathering up food and such without drawing some attention.”
“That is where I hoped Tatin would come in handy.”
The girl nearly glowed with pleasure. “I can get you food stuffs, right enough. Breads, cheeses, wine, ale, you name it, I will get it.”
“I will make a list.”
“No.” Anise laid a hand on my arm. “I will make a list. I suspect I know more about such things than you.”
“Then you will come?”
Her dark eyes scanned my face. “Aye, we will come. If Jorndar gains control of the vargar, the children and I are in just as much danger as you.”
“Rolendis doesn’t know you are Tomas’ mother.”
“But Jorndar does and he will be ruthless in his revenge.”
What did Tomas do to spark such hate? The question burned on my tongue, but Jarvin’s voice made it impossible to ask, yet.
“Will you need a wagon for the children? I am not sure I can manage one, but if necessary, we might be able to procure one on the way.”
“No.” Anise rested a hand on Elise’s head. The thoughts behind her eyes clearly did not concentrate entirely on the current crisis. “The children can ride with the adults, Darnay with me and Elise with Lady Irvaine.”
“Brielle,” I said.
She looked at me and focused for the first time since I spoke of Rolendis’ plans for me.
“My name is Brielle. I would be honored if you would call me by it.” I waited with tense hope.
“Of course.” She smiled warmly. “I will pack the children. We don’t need everything we brought. Can you write?” she asked Tatin.
The girl shook her head.
“Read?”
“Some.”
“Good. Jarvin?” Anise turned to Tomas’ man expectantly.
“I can write the list for you.”
“But I can’t read well.” Tatin glanced from Anise to Jarvin in confusion.
“You can memorize it; the list is to keep us organized.” Anise patted Tatin’s hand.
She shook her head. “Do you think he will come after me?”
“I think if he believes he can get to us through you, Jorndar will do what is necessary to get the information from you.”
My mind scrambled to find an option. I didn’t know many people this far from the village. The cost of growing up isolated was everyone I knew well lived in my village. Then I remembered Moriah. “You can go to Rathenridge’s estate. Moriah offered me shelter. She will shelter you in my name until we return.”
“You are going to return?”
“I doubt Lord Irvaine is going to let Jorndar claim Kyrenton. Without the food in the vargar’s storage barns, my village, or what is left of it, will starve.” I swallowed back the sob that suddenly pressed at my throat. So much changed so swiftly. Kurios, I want to go home.
Anise’s hand squeezed my shoulder gently. “Tomas will return, Tatin. My son never forgets his responsibilities. He will do his duty and fight for the people of Kyrenton.”
Taking solace in Anise’s faith in Tomas, I turned my focus to packing amid the frenzy around me. Within an hour, we made our plans, packed, and ate. Anise, the children, and I all caught what sleep we could. Tatin promised to wake us in time to slip out to meet Jarvin on the other side of the garden wall.
Leaving the vargar proved disconcertingly easy. The passages were empty and the shadows thick.
Tatin led us into the garden and pointed out the hole. The top of the entrance lay four inches below the topsoil and behind a barren rosebush. I dug with my hands while Anise helped the children into their heaviest clothing to protect them on our journey. Finally, I unearthed a wooden cover. The gap beneath dropped roughly four feet down and spanned only three feet from the wall before disappearing underneath. The wooden square easily shifted when I shoved at it. It would be adequate for us to crawl through one at a time. There was no way to know whether or not the other side was clear or buried as this one had been.
Duty: a novel of Rhynan Page 12