No one actually paid their act that much attention. Raufasger's court was doing what it did best—plot, plan, scheme and gossip. Tonight she would participate in that.
Ashra watched the crowd. It wasn't a night for high drama, more a typical night. Raufasger was apparently feeling deflated at the moment, and the night reflected it. The troubadours, in their bright costumes, were trying to lift the mood, acting silly. Their act was a little too safe to garner much attention. More cutting material drew the liege's attention and admiration, but was risky as they could so easily upset him. His mood went from amusement to murderous intent in the flash of an eye. The consequences for these people would be severe.
This group was hoping that complete lack of offense was the best way to proceed. That had its risks as well, as Raufasger didn't like being bored. And he looked bored right now.
Spotting Wierstoke amongst the crowd, she started to walk toward where they would intercept. "Lady Greve," he said cordially. "I hope you fare well tonight."
"Of course," she responded.
"You look as lovely as a vision."
"Thank you," she said. "My vision has been in another direction, I must confess."
"Oh?"
"There's a bit of land I have my eye on."
Lord Wierstoke smiled. "We all have bits of land we keep our eyes on, don't we?"
"Not land as such, more a message I want to send."
"Knowing you as I do, I can only assume this land would belong to our venerable Lord Lorcan."
"How did you guess?" she said without an ounce of surprise in her voice. "I suppose my desire to take a bite out of his ego hasn't gone unmentioned before."
"Enough to start an all-out war with the man? That could be destructive to everyone."
"You know full well that at some point we will have to face him."
"Doesn't mean the need to rush toward it."
"But at times, a small war can serve as a deterrent for a big war."
"There is no assurance that a war can be contained to small with a man like him."
"I think it can, because, you see, even he believes an assault on him is justified."
"Doesn't mean he will respond kindly."
"No, but I think that, along with a show of force, will temper him. He is too pragmatic to go for complete mutual destruction."
"I worry that your emotions carry you away and color your intentions."
"You mean the fact that someone under his protection murdered my husband?"
"You have proof of this? It is a heavy accusation."
"I have an admission. There is nothing I do here that colors my intention, Lord Wierstoke. I am fully cognizant of what I am proposing. I cannot accuse his house directly. There are influences that forbid it. I am not being unreasonable here, but I also want him to know that he cannot trespass against me, against us, and there be no consequences."
Wierstoke pursed his lips. He didn't like this, but he saw the quandary she was in, and she had depended on that. An alliance was only as strong as its weakest member, and if she appeared weak, then they all appeared weak, likely urging Lorcan to make a move of his own before long.
"It would be a considerable risk. There is little to stop Lorcan from escalating this, even if you think he believes it is justified."
"Yet, this forces my hand. I must do something, or I will appear too weak to achieve something as simple as avenge my husband."
Raising his hand, Wierstoke stroked across his cheek and chin, carefully considering what she was saying. "What do you have in mind when you say a small war?"
Ashra smiled, knowing she had him. He had more or less agreed. "A specific piece of land, actually. One of sentimental value more than practical."
"Perhaps we need to get the others together," Wierstoke suggested. He looked around and made a signal to Niel Coxcomb and Lucas Briestone, who smoothly detached themselves from their conversations and came over. Wierstoke explained the crux of the situation to the two men who were the extended part of the alliance, and men that Wierstoke apparently trusted.
"Now the land," Ashra explain, "was a lot that came with the marriage bargain."
"Not traditional Lorcan land?"
"No," Ashra said. "It was very useful to him at one point, but largely symbolic now." It was the fact that it was Amethyst's land that made Ashra interested in it. She didn't care about Lorcan land, she wanted this piece of land because it was what Amethyst had brought into the marriage, the sum of the wealth she'd had. Lorcan had to bear the loss because he was harboring a murderer and he'd lied about it. Lorcan would understand why this land, even if Amethyst didn't, and on some level, she felt she needed to punish Lorcan as well.
"We might need Alfrey Tilley for this to succeed," she continued.
"Tilley? What can someone like Tilley bring to the equation?" Lucas Bridgestone said dismissively, and he was right to be dismissive. The Tilleys, even in their wild hope that she would accept a proposal from them, had very little power of any kind. "Well, they do own the adjoining property," which was always a bonus in a land grab. Historical ownership and all those kinds of justifications.
"Let's call him over," Wierstoke stated.
The young man with a weak chin was both worried and excited about the company he'd been drawn into. The mere fact that he'd come to her with a proposal showed that he, or his family, had ambition, although little means to attain it. This was a means, and he would either take it or shy away from it.
They asked Tilley to explain his lands and he blushed as he described their modest estate. And yes, apparently they had been there for centuries.
"Sometimes, Tilley," Wierstoke explained, "it is not how much you have, but what you do with it."
"I don't understand," Tilley said, swallowing hard. Ashra could see his Adam's apple bobbing with nervousness.
"See, we want the land adjoining yours, but you are the one with a credible claim."
"That is Lord Lorcan's land," Tilley said with horror. Ashra could imagine the Tilleys had been very nervous in Lorcan's shadow for quite a while. "He would destroy us."
"Not if you have a powerful alliance protecting you."
Tilley's gaze went from one to the next, trying to ascertain if they were serious, and for a moment Ashra wondered if he was too scared to actually do it.
"Alfrey," Ashra said softly, "at times, power has to be taken. Doing this would mean protection for you and your family by a powerful alliance."
"You don't live next door to Lorcan."
"No, but if you want to change your situation, this is how it's done."
"I will still have Lorcan land on both sides of me. He'll squash me like a bug."
"Doing so would mean moving against us and that would be something he would think twice about doing." Ashra hoped that was true. There was a risk that Lorcan would attack without considering the destructive consequences to himself, but Ashra didn't think so. He was too practical and pragmatic.
Tilley looked at each of them again, probably wishing he was somewhere else. But to his credit, he steeled himself, probably with that gumption that had made him approach her with a proposal. "How can I claim his land?" he asked. His voice was shaking, but he wasn't backing down. Ashra did respect how afraid he was, but the young man was intelligent enough to understand that this risk had great rewards for him and his family.
"You simply move your cattle onto the land and claim it as your traditional grazing fields."
"I don't have that many cattle," Tilley said, looking embarrassed.
"Your herd just expanded. How many do you need?" Wierstoke asked.
Chapter 29:
* * *
The day of their audience approached and Ashra watched as people milled around the hall. It was like many such other days, except today they were making a move on Lorcan.
Lord Wierstoke appeared, looking typical in his satin robes and engraved silver walking stick. Tilley walked nervously beside him, wearing darker clothes of less sump
tuous material. His eyes darted around the room as if expecting an attack at any moment.
As far as they knew, Lorcan didn't know. They had taken extraordinary lengths at being secretive. Stealth was required in these things, so as to not give Lorcan time to plan a creative counteroffensive.
"Do you have it?" Ashra asked.
"Yes," Tilley said, looking down at his feet, shuffling slightly between them.
"It will be alright," Ashra said, trying to assure him.
"Yes, it will," he said. "Or he will kill me." Tilley smiled awkwardly. He was brave doing this.
Ashra put her hand on his arm. "Don't worry. He will know this is my doing," she said.
Apparently, that made Tilley feel better, but it didn't change the fact that Lorcan would know she was to blame for this. How he would retaliate, she didn't know. Obviously, he would do something, but she would have to worry about that later. Amethyst's deeds had to be avenged and paid for. If she then had to battle Lorcan afterward, so be it. She was strong; her alliance was strong, and sometimes one had to do what one had to do to look oneself in the eye every morning.
Lucas Briestone appeared, taking his side next to Wierstoke and silence soon reigned in preparation for Raufasger's entrance. He was never a man to slip into a room, instead his arrival had to be duly noted by everyone.
Ashra took the opportunity during the distraction to look at Lorcan, who stood on the other side of the room. His eyes were on their liege—shadowed and mysterious. She seldom had any idea what he was thinking. She knew he both loved and hated it here. Maybe it was just the fact that he thrived here. But today he would take a hit.
Her attention drew his eyes and he raised his brows slightly as if questioning her interest. "I'm sorry," she mouthed. She wasn't sorry, but she wanted him to know that he wasn’t her main target. Lorcan's eyes narrowed and Ashra looked away to the liege who was taking a seat on his throne.
"We have a petition today," Raufasger said brightly. The man relished this part of his role, the infighting, and particularly any kind of vicious move within his court. They had lodged the request for an audience this morning. "Who is this petitioner?"
Ashra hadn't been aware the room could go more silent, but it did, as if every person in there held their breath. A petition could target anyone and someone was about to be targeted—although the person already knew.
She refused to look at Lorcan as Tilley was nudged forward. The man shook like a leaf and Ashra wished he was a little more collected, but that couldn't be helped.
"It is I, my lord," Tilley said. "Mr. Tilley, on behalf of my father, Lord Tilley."
"Speak up. We can't hear you." Raufasger looked around, expecting laughter and the court complied with muted chuckles.
"I ask that a piece of land be returned to my family. For some reason, it has been unjustly requisitioned by others while they have no right to it."
Raufasger looked around, ascertaining people's reaction. He didn't care, but he liked making a show of these things. "Go on."
"For indecipherable reasons, parties have laid claim to this land while it has always been ours. This land is and has always been in our use and we were unaware others had placed claims on it. I humbly ask that you clear up any confusion to other parties with regards to the rightful owner." Tilley bowed low, staying down for a long time.
"And you have proof of the ownership of this land?"
"Yes. It was deeded to our family by marriage back to the olden days."
A murmur spread across the room. Deeds to the olden days, the time before Raufasger had conquered all the lands, were slowing being put forward. Initially old claims had been ignored as Raufasger settled his sovereignty and assigned lands to his favorites, but the finer details of disputed lands were slowly being acknowledged, particularly for families within the court.
"Let me see this proof," Raufasger said and Tilley pulled out a parchment with a red ribbon around it. He handed it to one of the guards who handed it up to the liege. "This land is still in use?"
"Yes, our cattle have always graced it. It is land between the Shyborough river and the Coller forests."
"If I may," Lorcan said, stepping forward. "That is my land Tilley is petitioning for, and it belongs to me, gained by marriage deed from the Morice family. I assure you the land ownership is well documented and legally entitled." Except they had learned that it wasn't.
Raufasger looked up. "Mr. Lorcan. This is your land?" Raufasger smiled, knowing it was an extraordinary thing, a mouse like Tilley standing up to take on Lorcan. "Young Mr. Tilley here seems to feel quite strongly that this was his land, and it certainly was part of this marriage bargain, which supersedes yours by hundreds of years. I assume this marriage went ahead."
"Yes, it was the marriage between my great great grandparents."
Raufasger expectantly turned his eyes to Lorcan.
"The terms of my own marriage are well-known," Lorcan stated. "The land passed to me as part of it."
"But was it ever theirs to give?"
In her research, Ashra had never found any record of the gambling debt by which the Tilleys had lost the land to the Ruthledges, who then bequeathed it to the Morices. There was apparently no trace of the transaction. All other Lorcan land would be well documented, even if under duress, no doubt, but this wasn't technically Lorcan land.
"Amethyst?" Raufasger said, looking to her as she stood in the crowd.
She stepped forwards. "It has always been in my family," she said sharply and disdainfully.
"Apparently not," Raufasger said, holding up the parchment. "Unless you have some form of claim on the land, it is hard for me to dispute this deed."
Truthfully, Raufasger couldn't care less about justice and fairness; he liked to see people under his thumb. And Ashra had suspected he really liked seeing Lorcan challenged. Perhaps there was a part of him that was wary of Lorcan's strength and sought an opportunity to chip away at his power. Ashra had banked on that anyway, and she would soon find out if her gamble was correct.
Lorcan turned to Amethyst as did all eyes in the room. There was little he could do as it was not his land. Everyone here had their documentation in order in case of challenge to their property and rights. It would be foolish to exist here without it, because anyone could lodge a petition. But in this case, the belief was that the land had been handed over as part of an undocumented gamble.
"Of course there is," Amethyst said, clearly flustered. She turned around, seeking her cousin, who was in the audience somewhere. He apparently didn't step forward. It seemed that Lord Morice knew the ownership of the land had been a weak point, which was perhaps why they'd been so willing to let it go with her in marriage.
Lorcan looked murderous. His mouth was drawn tight and his eyes narrowed.
"It is my land," she said sharply. "It was part of my dowry. It's hardly my fault they lost it, probably just handed it over like the sniveling cowards they are. The Tilleys have always been spineless. They've lost every bit of their land. They can't come crying about it now."
Raufasger sighed. "That may be so, but when taking someone's land, even by force, it must be in writing. Just like the ruling I am forced to make now. Unless you can convince me otherwise, I must rule in their favor, and mine is a record no one can challenge."
Amethyst looked both blustered and enraged. "It was my dowry," she said harshly, turning her narrowed eyes on Tilley. "And you will not mess with it, or I swear I will make you regret it, you useless worm."
"Tsk, tsk," Raufasger said. "We can't resort to idle threats." He was clearly enjoying this. For being one of his favorites, he did seem to enjoy stripping her land off her.
Amethyst straightened and smiled ruefully. "It doesn't matter. He will just have to sign it over again. Won't you, Tilley?"
"Yes, I'm not sure young Tilley here understands the wrath he'd brought upon himself. These things do have a cost, young man." Raufasger chuckled.
"I suspect he knows perfectly well what
he's signed up for," Lorcan said tartly, turning his gaze back at Ashra. "But yes, there are always consequences."
"In that case, you will have to battle out your grievances. The best of luck with that, Mr. Tilley. I rule in the petitioner's favor."
With that, it was done. Ashra breathed a sigh of relief. Tilley was so spent from nerves he could barely stand. No doubt, he was questioning the sanity of what he'd just been talked into. Well, it wouldn't be too bad. Lorcan knew who the real culprit was. Amethyst mightn't, but she wasn't entirely stupid. It probably wouldn't take her long to understand, hopefully before she decided to murder someone for this challenge to her. Perhaps it was time for the Tilley family to take a trip to their estate.
Chapter 30:
* * *
What had been done, could not be undone and Ashra had to face whatever consequences came. Her time here at court had changed and she was no longer someone sitting on the sidelines, but a fully-fledged player in the intrigues that happened here. And now she had a great, big target on her, and the most powerful, and some say vicious, member would now be gunning for her.
It all sat uncomfortably, but it had to be done. The perpetrator against their family, their house, had been dealt with. She just hoped Lorcan was amenable to see the necessity of it. Probably not, but that couldn't be helped. Her alliance was strong and together they were protected. Lorcan was too pragmatic for an all-out war.
The whole idea of Lorcan sat uncomfortably with her. Not to mention the fact that there was a very real tie between them, one she had to keep secret. Taking some of his marginal land was one thing. It was largely a symbolic gesture and meant very little, but keeping his heir from him, which was of supreme material concern to him, was quite another. Lorcan needed this heir, but over her dead body would she lose her child to him. There would be all-out war if he tried.
In this place, the real play behind the events yesterday would be buzzing around the court and even Amethyst would soon hear that Ashra was the true initiator behind the act. Depending on how stupid the woman was, she would likely figure out that Torunn's death had just been avenged. Perhaps it didn't bring about the suffering the woman deserved, but it was enough for Ashra. She was not about to spend more time thinking about that woman. In fact, she had much bigger worries now.
Dark Court: The Summons Page 16