A Parliament of Owls

by Beth Hilgartner

  "Sir," one said. "We've brought Owl Ghytteve."

  There was the scrape of a chair and the sound of someone getting to his feet. "Ah. Good." Captain Ysmenarr's voice. "Did any of the Ghytteve give you trouble?"

  "No, sir."

  "Good. Put him in the cell. Lord Owl, there's a basin, a pitcher and a chamber pot to the left of the door. The bed is against the far wall."

  They pushed him through a door and released their hold on his arms. Owl staggered slightly before he caught his balance. As the door shut behind him and he heard the bolt slide home, he sank to the stone floor. Mindful of Vixen's remark about poisoned needles in the bed, he settled himself cross-legged, elbows on thighs, resting his forehead against his fettered hands. Then he reached with his mind. Lynx.

  Owl.

  Tell Cithanekh I'm all right. They've put me in a cell. The bed may be trapped and the water is probably drugged, but I don't seem to be in any immediate danger.

  I'll tell him. Be careful.

  I will. I am. At a sound behind him, he broke the contact. There was the scrape of a bolt—not heavy enough to be the door; maybe a window or some other means for the guards to check on him without risking an open door.

  "Would you like some coffee, Lord Owl?" Captain Ysmenarr's voice came to him.

  "No, thank you."

  "Or some wine—or brandy?"

  "No, thank you," Owl repeated.

  "You don't have to sit on the floor, Lord Owl. We're not barbarians. There's a bed; it's about three feet straight ahead of you."

  "I know where it is," Owl said wearily. "I prefer the floor."

  "As you wish, Lord Owl," he replied and the window creaked shut.

  Owl shivered. He wasn't sure whether it was cold in the dungeons, or whether if was just the reaction setting in. He wished he dared to take the blanket off the bed; but he didn't.

  He wasn't sure how long he'd been there before he heard noises again: muffled voices; then the scrape of the lock and the creak of the hinges.

  "There, lad—or I should say, m'lord," one of the Guards said. "Captain said you weren't comfortable, so we're moving you to another cell." He took Owl by the arm and hauled him to his feet. "Come on."

  They didn't take him far. A moment later, he was thrust into a new room. "Basin, chamber pot and pitcher are to the right." The guard told him. "Here's the bed."

  Owl felt the bed frame against his knees. "Thank you. I'm not ready to sleep, and I'd rather sit on the floor. If you're really worried about my comfort, you could take the manacles off."

  The guard laughed. "I daresay, but we want you to be here in the morning. I'll bring you coffee or ale if you want it."

  "No, thank you. You're very kind," Owl said. He sat down on the floor. He didn't like this. Why was Ysmenarr moving him? Was he just trying to keep Owl off balance, or did he have something else in mind?

  He sighed and shifted, trying to ease his wrists. As he settled to stillness, he heard a faint sound, a slithering rustle. He froze as he tried to identify the sound and pinpoint its location. His Gift offered him an image: the snake, coiled to strike. The sound came closer, then stopped. Owl hardly dared to breathe.

  Lynx, he thought.

  Owl.

  He gave her the image of the snake. I think there's a snake in here—at least, something that sounds like scales against stone.

  Hold very still, Owl. That's a hooded asp: very poisonous and quite aggressive.

  I'm holding still, he said, an edge of panic under the thought, but I won't be able to do it all night!

  If you don't threaten it, it may lose interest. Remember, Arre went to the Emperor. I'm sure he'll be down to countermand the arrest orders.

  And what will the snake do when someone opens the door? Owl demanded.

  Owl, just hold still. Use the body control I've taught you, and be still. I'm off to find Arre and the Emperor, and warn them.

  ***

  It did not take Thantor very long to assemble Commander Bhenekh and five hentes of the Imperial Guard, though it seemed like a thousand years to the Emperor, Arre and Lady Khycalle. The company formed up, the Ghytteve bodyguards rejoined them, and they all set out at a rapid pace for the Palace dungeons. On the way, Lynx joined them.

  "Owl thinks there's a hooded asp in the cell with him," Lynx told them, her voice low and urgent.

  "Gods!" the Emperor exclaimed. "He hasn't been bitten, has he?"

  Lynx shook her head. "He heard something and his Gift showed him a hooded asp. He is holding very still. Your Majesty, when you order Owl released, let me open the cell door and get him out."

  The Emperor nodded.

  Shortly, they came to a halt outside the gates to the dungeon sector. Soldiers in the uniform of the Queen's Guard leapt to attention when they recognized the Emperor.

  "Your Majesty," the sergeant in command said. "To what do we owe—"

  "Open it," Commander Bhenekh ordered shortly.

  The sergeant looked as though he wanted to protest, but a glance at the Emperor's set face dried the words on his tongue. The gates were unlocked and they passed through.

  Captain Ysmenarr met them outside the cells. "Your Majesty," he said with a crisp salute.

  "Captain Ysmenarr, why did you have Owl Ghytteve arrested?" the Emperor began without preamble.

  "The evidence seemed to warrant it, Your Majesty."

  "Oh? Is there more evidence than the testimony of the two—unreliable—kitchen servants? Why wasn't I told?"

  "Well, no—or, not yet, Your Majesty," the Captain responded. "I had heard a rumor that there was more information about to come to light, and I thought it might be wise to secure the young lord before—beforehand."

  "I see. And did this rumor say what this evidence was?" the Emperor persisted.

  "No, Your Majesty. The rumor was not specific."

  "I, however," the Emperor went on caustically, "thought I had be very specific when I gave orders that Commander Bhenekh and I should be kept apprised of every development in this matter."

  "There is a full report in the dispatches, Your Majesty. Commander Bhenekh was off duty when this matter came up, and you had left word that you were with your family and did not wish to be disturbed."

  Lynx moved quietly to the Emperor's side. "Majesty," she murmured.

  He nodded shortly. "I want Owl Ghytteve released. Now."

  As Captain Ysmenarr gestured to one of his men, Lynx moved swiftly to intercept the man.

  "Give the key to Lynx," the Emperor instructed. "She'll get Owl."

  "Give the key to— Your Majesty," Captain Ysmenarr protested.

  "To Lynx," the Emperor repeated, gesturing at the bodyguard. "Captain Ysmenarr, are you insubordinate or deaf? Give the key to Lynx, and none of you—on pain of death—move or make a sound until she says you may."

  Lynx took the key and leaned against the door as she touched Owl's mind. I'm coming in. Don't be startled—and don't move.

  The key turned slowly, grating as it drew the bolt back. Then, Lynx gingerly eased the door outward; when it was open enough, she peered around its edge. Owl was seated on the floor, facing her, his head slightly bowed and his manacled hands in his lap. The snake was coiled between him and the door, its head reared up ready to strike. Lynx slipped silently into the doorway, a knife appearing almost magically in her hand. She gauged her distance carefully and sprang. The force of her attack sent Owl sprawling out of range while she grappled with the asp. In an instant, it was dead.

  "Owl, are you all right?" she demanded.

  "You could have warned me," he said shakily.

  "Did you really want to be told: Hold still. I'm about to jump on you?"

  Owl managed a laugh. "I guess not. Was there a snake?"

  "Indeed."

  "And you weren't bitten?"

  "Indeed not." She took his arm in a careful grip. "Let me help you up."

  Lynx guided Owl out of the cell. Her mouth quirked in an ironic smile as she surveyed the statue
-like guards. She laid the dead snake on the duty officer's desk and said. "You may move. As you see, Owl is unhurt—although it does occur to me to wonder how a hooded asp found its way into his cell. Are the dungeons usually plagued with such vermin?"

  The Emperor came over to Owl and embraced him. "Thank the gods you weren't hurt." Then he looked down at the manacles. "Free his hands," he ordered. "And answer Lynx's question, Captain Ysmenarr."

  "Usually, it's just the rats we worry about. It has seemed, lately, that there were fewer of them, but it never occurred to me to wonder why."

  As the manacles were removed from Owl's wrists, the Emperor said, "Captain Ysmenarr, Commander Bhenekh, I want this understood. No matter what evidence surfaces, Owl Ghytteve is not to be taken into custody again without my explicit order. Is that entirely clear?"

  "Yes, Your Majesty," the two officers said.

  "Good. Now, let's take Owl home. Good night, Captain Ysmenarr."

  "Good night, Your Majesty," the Captain replied evenly.

  When they had left the dungeons behind, Owl said, "Where's Cithanekh?"

  "Cezhar is sitting on him," Lynx said.

  "This Captain Ysmenarr," Lady Khycalle said. "Do you have some punishment in mind for him, Your Majesty?"

  "He's very cool under pressure," Thantor remarked.

  "That's an understatement," Arre remarked. "I've never seen you so terrifying, Kheth. 'Are you insubordinate or deaf?'" she added in a reasonably convincing imitation of the Emperor's freezing tone.

  "I was angry," the Emperor explained mildly. "Thantor, I want you to exert yourself to find evidence of Ysmenarr's venality—something more concrete than the rumors your sources cite. We may need a hold, later."

  "Do you think his mention of a rumor of more information surfacing was anything more than a subtle attempt to excuse himself?" Commander Bhenekh asked.

  The Emperor sighed. "He's a clever bastard. I wouldn't put it past him to have something to substantiate that hint. So keep your ear to the ground."

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  A moment later, they bade good night to the Emperor, Thantor, Commander Bhenekh and the Imperials at the door to the Ghytteve complex. In the sitting room, they found Cithanekh storming around the room while Mouse, Vixen, Cezhar and Effryn took turns trying to calm him down. Owl hesitated on the threshold.

  "Cithanekh," he said quietly. "I'm not hurt."

  The young lord hurried across the room and took his friend in his arms. "Oh, sweet Lady Windbringer, I was afraid for you," he murmured against his hair.

  "Squirrel," Arre said in a rallying tone, "do you suppose you could find enough brandy for this crowd?"

  Effryn managed a return sally. "Define 'enough,'" he said as he headed for the decanters and glasses.

  ***

  "Good night, Bhenekh, Thantor," the Emperor said once they had brought him back to the Royal Apartments. "And thank you."

  "Good night," the chorused as they bowed and departed.

  Khethyran looked around and saw the Queen standing in the doorway to the gold parlor.

  "So," she said. "Clearly, you managed to retrieve your protégé from prison unharmed."

  "Yes—thanks to Lynx. There was a hooded asp in his cell. She killed it."

  The Queen's eyes widened; when she spoke again, the acid had leached out of her tone. "What did Captain Ysmenarr have to say about that?"

  The Emperor's mouth quirked bitterly. "He said that he had noticed fewer rats, lately, but it hadn't occurred to him to wonder why."

  "I had nothing to do with it," Celave breathed. "Please believe me."

  The Emperor studied her face for a moment. "I didn't imagine you did, Celave. But in the future, you should be more careful of letting people use you."

  She nodded solemnly, then she frowned. "I'm glad he wasn't hurt, but Liege, how did Lynx find the snake to kill it. Was someone bitten?"

  "No. No one was bitten. Owl suspected it was there and warned us. Lynx went in first and killed the serpent."

  "But he's blind. How did he know it was there?"

  The Emperor raised his eyebrows at the faint suspicion in her voice. "Celave, I don't entirely understand why you hate the very notion so much, but Owl Ghytteve is a Seer. Even before he went to the Kellande School to train his Gift, he was able to predict some events and convey warnings; he's far more skilled, now. Doubtless, his Gift warned him of the snake."

  "The way it warned him of the poisoned marzipan?"

  "Just so."

  "And you still don't think he could have done it?"

  "My lady Queen, I am certain he did not. Weren't you listening to Arre? Owl has no reason to resort to stupid and dangerous tricks."

  "Well, Klarhynne has no reason to want me dead!"

  "Celave, no one has accused Klarhynne of anything. But if you used your head, you might realize that the poisoning was aimed at Arre, not at you. If she had taken the dainty when you offered it to her, she would have been dead before you had time to set the plate down."

  The Queen paled. "So. Do you think I did it, and I'm trying to implicate your precious Owl to divert suspicion?"

  The Emperor blinked in surprise. "No, I don't think that. You gave your word you wouldn't poison Arre. As for your worries about Klarhynne, no one has found any evidence to link her to the poisoning."

  "Evidence!" she snapped scornfully. "You're the only person who cares about evidence. Everyone else understands how the courts really work: even when the judges haven't been bought outright, they're appointed by the Council Houses, and they all hold their patrons' interests uppermost. If Klarhynne ever goes to trial, it won't be the evidence that matters; what will matter is that some sycophant will assume you want her convicted—and convicted she will be."

  "As Owl would have been convicted in the Fourth Court?"

  "Exactly so," she retorted.

  "Then perhaps you can find comfort," the Emperor replied, his tone cool though not soothing, "in the knowledge that I will not send Klarhynne Dhenykhare—or anyone else—to trial without compelling evidence. Good night, my lady Queen."

  "Good night, my Liege."

  ***

  "You failed?" Dhyrakh Dhenykhare demanded. "Couldn't you get the snake into his cell?"

  "It was there," Ysmenarr protested. "That damned bodyguard killed it."

  "Bodyguard? Your troopers didn't let him bring his bodyguard, did they? Of all the—"

  "No! Of course not. She came later—with the Emperor."

  "I thought the Emperor had asked not to be disturbed."

  "He did—but clearly they rousted him out, anyway. The spymaster, the foreign witch, the Commander, the woman Lynx and two other Ghytteve bodyguards, the Ythande Councilor, and five hentes of Imperials showed up with the Emperor to demand I free my prisoner."

  "Wait. The Ythande Councilor? Lady Khycalle? What on earth is her interest in this?"

  "The one with the tattoos and the bird; isn't that Ythande? I don't know what her interest is, but she was there."

  Dhyrakh was silent for several moments, his face set in a frown. "That's a wrinkle I don't much like," he said at last. "That boy and his allies are damned hard to be rid of. Oh well. I'll have to think of another plan—or sit back and let some others of his enemies take a turn. Good night, Captain Ysmenarr."

  "Good night, my lord Duke," the Captain said as he went out. In the corridor, Ysmenarr was pleased to see that the steward who had shown him in was gone and that one of Morekheth's men waited instead. The bodyguard turned one thumb up and raised his eyebrows in a silent question. The Captain frowned and turned his own thumb down. Without a word, the bodyguard led him deeper into the Dhenykhare complex.

  "Make it quick," Morekheth said, when the bodyguard delivered Ysmenarr to the library. "What went wrong?"

  "Owl and that damned bodyguard of his were—somehow—aware of the snake. She killed it."

  "And no one got bitten? Gods above and below. What is she?"

  "I had to tell the
Emperor the rumor thing, so could you set that in train?"

  Morekheth nodded. "Will you have another chance when there's more evidence?"

  "I don't know. The Emperor said that no matter what evidence surfaced, no one is to take Owl Ghytteve into custody without his explicit order."

  "That will make things more difficult. Look, you'd better go. I don't want Dhyrakh to know we spoke."

  Ysmenarr bowed, and when Morekheth's man was summoned to show him out, he followed.

  Chapter Twenty-eight—Petitions

  Morning found Owl and Lynx on the practice floor. After the stretching and strengthening exercises, Lynx continued to work on his body control. This morning, instead of simply insisting that he hold various stances and positions, she had him take a stance and then hold his balance even when she pushed him. At first, he fell every time; but eventually, he could tell he was improving. Though he still fell, it was less often; and he was learning to recover more quickly.

  "Now, I'll make it harder," she said. "No more easy clues—like speaking or the noise of movements. I want you to learn to sense where I will strike next. Strive to feel the shift of air; allow the parts of your awareness you usually do not consider to inform you." She fell silent and glided soundlessly to him. Then, she gave a short, hard shove at the small of his back.

  Owl's arms flailed as he lurched out of balance.

  "Tuck!" she commanded. "Roll!"

  He went down, but was up again in an instant, resuming the stance she had assigned. She moved noiselessly again, delivering the same hard thrust. This time, Owl managed to absorb the energy of her strike with only a step forward.

  "Much better," she said. "Did you sense I was there, or just suspect I would use the same attack?"

  He shrugged. "I'm not sure."

  She shoved him again, without warning. This time, she only rocked him on his feet. "I fear I'm getting predictable," she said and pushed hard in the center of his chest. "Very much better," she approved when, again, he only rocked on his feet.

  They went on like this for several minutes. When Lynx looked up and saw Cezhar, barefooted and dressed for sparring, standing in the doorway, she stepped back and said, "Good. Now. Another exercise. I won't push you, this time, but I want you to intercept my hand—to touch me before I touch you. Sense where I am—and show me you know." Then, she nodded to Cezhar, who padded noiselessly onto the practice floor.