In spite of the early hour, Kitara was dressed for the day, playing cards with a couple of her ladies. They played dutifully, but did not look particularly happy to be up so early. She threw her cards down when Greghar was announced and jumped to her feet. Seeing the surprised looks of her ladies, she restrained herself from running to him and said merely, “Welcome, Lord Greghar. How good of you to come so promptly. Please join us in a hand of cards before breakfast.”
He approached and took a vacant chair at the table.
“I am sorry, my lady, I am not much of a hand at cards. You must forgive me. However, I will be happy to observe your play.”
They played a desultory hand before Kitara rose and stretched, saying, “Oh, la! The cards are not going my way. I think I have had enough for now.”
Her well-bred ladies immediately took the hint, rose, and departed with deep curtsies. As soon as the door swung shut behind them, Kitara put her arms around Greghar’s neck and sighed, rubbing herself against him like a cat.
“It is a bore that we have to resort to such subterfuge,” she whispered. “But there is no help for it, we must steal as many moments of happiness as we can. I will try to make them plentiful! Sometimes, I wish I had met you when I was single, at court in Dreslin Center. But on the other hand, the risk gives our relationship so much spice, doesn’t it?”
He did not respond but stood in silence. After a few moments, she took his hand and led him to a window seat that provided a magnificent view of Tirut harbor. She unwound her scarf and put his hand on her bosom.
“Feel the beating of my heart. You always make it go pitter-patter.”
He did not extricate his hand, but he did not make moves to take advantage of her obvious invitation either. She paused to marshal her thoughts before proceeding.
“My darling, I have great news and I hope you will be as happy about it as I am. I have just learned that I am pregnant—it is our love child, there can be no doubt. I have been to my astrologer, and he assures me it is a boy. The One God has blessed us.”
She leaned into his arms and looked up into his eyes. His expression was neutral, but he allowed her to take his arms and drape them around her.
“I understand your reticence, my love. It is true that the boy will be brought up in this House and bear the va Alsor name. But what does that matter? That just ensures that he will have a title and wealth. You and I will know that he is ours, the living proof of our love.”
Greghar’s face was pained, for the revelation cast a pall over his joy from the previous night with Caitlin. He squared his shoulders, took his arms off her, and sat back against the wall. He looked out into the harbor, recognizing the hull and rigging of the Darling Thoma, moored at one of the quays.
“Kitara, I cannot carry on like this any longer.”
She clucked understandingly and took his hand in hers again.
“Oh, don’t worry on my account, love. There is little risk, for I have everything in hand. My father-in-law trusts me implicitly and delegates all manner of activities to me. I am to go on an inspection tour of Gold Port next week. I know a beautiful little island paradise in the Giants’ Teeth; we can travel there separately. Then we can spend some days together in utter bliss—”
“No, no, Kitara,” he said, throwing politeness and tact to the winds in his distraction and jerking his hand free of hers. “I am in love with Cat Avedus. I have always been in love with her. It was wrong of me to dally with you. I should never have done it. This pregnancy is a shock to me. I am sorry to burden you with it, for I cannot rejoice in it.”
Kitara was so surprised that her mouth dropped open for a moment. Then as she regained control of herself, her eyes grew hard and her lips compressed in a thin line.
“In love! With that…that…” She stopped and a confused look passed over her face. There was something that she knew about this Cat Avedus, but there seemed to be a fog in her memory that blotted it out. She frowned for a moment and then gave up. “With that hulking, uncouth rancher girl who dresses like a warrior? You would give up my bed for her! What can you possibly see in her?”
“Kitara, you have everything—youth, beauty, wealth, a husband who loves you, and a family that cherishes you. Your life here in Tirut is complete without me. I ask you to forget our dalliance and return to your marriage vows. It is best for both of us.”
“I don’t need you to lecture me,” she said, picking up her scarf. She played with it for a few moments, her expression becoming set. “Well, if I can’t have you, then I will certainly not give you up to that redheaded bitch.”
She paused, and her look turned malicious.
“I am a passionate creature, Greghar. I can give boundless pleasure to those who please me. But I can be as cruel as the Utrean winter to those who earn my hatred. You say you love that rancher girl. And I know you have tender feelings for Lady Nitya. Well, you will never see them again!”
She stood up and pulled a long gold pin from her hair, allowing it to cascade loose. She hooked her fingers in the neckline of her gown and ripped it open, laying bare her flimsy underbodice. Then she began to scream at the top of her lungs. Her cries triggered an alarm, and almost immediately there was a thunder of boots in the corridor outside. Greghar jumped to his feet and looked around the chamber desperately for other means of egress, but there was only one door.
“Oh, help! Someone please help me!” screamed Kitara when she heard the approach of the soldiers. The door was flung open and men-at-arms in shining light armor poured into the room, led by Quirus va Alsor, commander of the Color Guard. Kitara staggered over to him and collapsed into his arms.
“Oh, Quirus, oh, sir, I appeal to you as my husband’s cousin,” she sobbed. “You must defend my honor. I invited this man into my suite, thinking him to be a gentleman, but he has outraged my modesty. Please protect me!”
Quirus did not hesitate. He held Kitara in a protective embrace, simultaneously rapping out orders to his men.
“Arrest him! Disarm him and take him to the dungeons!”
The men-at-arms carried ceremonial halberds, unsuitable for combat in the confines of the chamber, so they advanced warily. Greghar drew Karya and made some rapid judgments. There were far too many of them. His sword would make them cautious, but if he fought, the result was not in doubt.
He ripped one of the curtains from the window frame. He wound it over his right hand in which he held Karya’s hilt. With a few quick blows, he used the hilt of the sword to smash a large enough opening in the window for him to pass through. As he stepped outside on to the parapet, he heard Kitara’s hysterical voice crying, “Quirus, send a troop to the Three Feathers inn. Arrest a red-haired wench who goes by the name Cat Avedus and a young woman called Nitya. They are this scoundrel’s accomplices. Bring them to me in chains.”
The drop off from Kitara’s windows fell directly into the sea. Greghar looked around to see the men-at-arms almost upon him. That immediate danger completely drove his fear of heights from his mind. Sheathing Karya, he leaped out into space.
A MAID IN the kitchen of the Three Feathers Inn had just finished cleaning and drying a large metal tureen. Giving it a final rub with her dishcloth, she lifted the heavy pot to hang it on its hook when it slipped from her hands and fell to the floor with a crash. The loud clang reverberated around the kitchen and through the lower level of the inn. Caitlin’s room was just adjacent to the kitchen, and in her dream she was continuing her enchanting night with Greghar, luxuriating in the feel of his arms around her. The noise rudely dragged her from her idyll, and she sat up with a start.
It was a gray and drizzly morning, but Caitlin was so happy that everything seemed perfect to her. He loves me, he has always loved me, she thought, and found herself grinning foolishly as she brushed her hair. She walked into the parlor with a light step, humming the melody of one of the airs she had danced with Greghar.
Binne and Dhanraj sat opposite each other, eating their breakfast. Binne smiled wh
en she saw Caitlin’s expression and demeanor.
“Why, my dear, you look like the cat that has found the cream jug,” she said. “What has brought this on?”
“Nothing but sin can be so satisfying,” said Caitlin mischievously.
“Sin is no joking matter,” said Dhanraj, putting his spoon down.
She tousled his hair and sat down beside him.
“Oh, don’t get all pious on me now,” she said.
“No one deserves happiness more than you, my darling,” said Binne.
Caitlin reached over and squeezed her shoulder.
“I have had such good luck. I could not have asked for a better mother than you.”
“It is not luck,” said Nitya, entering the parlor. “The good are drawn to you, just as those with evil in their hearts are moved to hate you.”
“You are all dear to my heart,” said Caitlin coloring at the praise. “I knew Nitya as a child, and she has now grown into the lovely girl you see before you. Nitya, Binne is my adoptive mother, and Dhanraj is her ward.”
Binne stood and curtsied to Nitya, but Dhanraj sat and eyed her without warmth. Nitya looked abashed at Binne’s show of respect, but when she met Dhanraj’s dark eyes a quick look of understanding passed between them.
“Lady Nitya, we heard from Collector Yandharan that you were the toast of the va Alsor ball last night,” said Binne. “Lady-in-waiting to the queen of Utrea!”
“I am just plain Nitya,” she responded. “I have no title, it is only that Queen Lovelyn has been very kind to me.”
“You are very late for breakfast,” said Dhanraj, addressing them both. “Cat, I pray you will spend some time with me in the stables afterward. The horses have been sadly neglected the last few days. The grooms at these inns do as little as possible.”
Caitlin nodded at him, smiling her assent. Nitya took a seat by Binne as a serving wench entered bearing a laden tray. As they ate, they talked. Nitya steered the conversation to neutral topics. She skillfully evaded Dhanraj’s questions about her past and ignored his rather clumsy attempts to inject Daksish phrases into the dialogue.
They had just finished eating when there was the sound of the front door of the inn being flung open and tread of heavy boots in the vestibule. In short order, half a dozen men-at-arms stormed into the parlor led by a captain. The officer pulled out a parchment from his belt and began to read laboriously.
“Cat Avedus and Nitya of Nordberg, you are both under arrest for conspiring in an assault on the person of Chevalina Kitara va Alsor.” He paused and pointed first at Caitlin and then at Nitya. “Your descriptions are unmistakable. Come with us quietly, and there will be no trouble.”
Caitlin stood slowly, mentally sorting through their options when they were interrupted by a deceptively melodious voice.
“I would suggest that you and your men leave quietly, Captain.” It was Diana who had entered quietly.
The captain turned on her. He and his men drew their swords. In response, Diana drew Light and Caitlin drew Nasht. Their beautiful long Zon blades glinted in the light coming in the window.
“We Companions are as one, are we not?” said Diana, addressing Nitya. The gold flecks in Nitya’s irises glittered. She glanced from Diana to Caitlin, a wordless question in her look.
“I believe,” said Diana.
“I believe,” Caitlin echoed.
Diana approached the men-at-arms with Caitlin at her shoulder, their drawn swords at the ready. Transferring Light to her left hand, Diana drew her laser pistol and thumbed off the safety.
The laser pistol gave the captain the excuse he was looking for.
“We are too few to fight magic weapons,” he said to his men. “Fall back! We must report this and get reinforcements.”
GREGHAR DOVE DEEP and heard the sound of crossbow bolts striking the surface, so he stayed down. He swam strongly underwater, striving to put distance between himself and the castle. His lungs began to burn with the effort, and finally when he felt they would burst, he kicked for the surface. He stayed up no longer than necessary to gulp down a lungful of air before diving down into the green water again. The sharp-eyed men-at-arms in the castle saw his brief appearance. Again he heard the bolts striking the waves, but there were fewer this time and more widely scattered.
By the time he broke surface the second time, he was out of effective crossbow range. He picked out the Darling Thoma from the multitude of ships in the harbor and swam toward her with a steady, untiring stroke. The activity at the castle had drawn the attention of everyone in the harbor, and the crews of the ships at anchor in the pool thronged their decks to see him as he swam by. Some cheered him on, but most watched without expression. The crew of the Darling Thoma crowded by her rail and watched his approach, urging him on with shouts and gestures. They threw down a line when he drew near. He came up the line rapidly, and Tar hauled him aboard when he got up to the rail.
“We are prepared for sea,” said Martius, even as Greghar took a towel from Tar and began to dry himself. “We were about to sail.”
“Let us wait a short while,” panted Greghar. “Nitya should be here soon, I am sure.”
Martius nodded but gave orders to begin unmooring the vessel. As they were doing this, Greghar watched the castle and the harborfront esplanade with a worried eye. There was a lot of activity in the castle, flags were being raised, and signals sent out. There were a few bronze-badged deputies on the esplanade, and they stared at the Darling Thoma.
Greghar paced nervously, continually glancing at the hourglass on the quarterdeck. As the officer of the deck tapped and turned it to mark the hour, a troop of armored cavalrymen in the livery of the Baron of Tirut cantered onto the esplanade along the shore road. They fanned out, blocking each of the side streets leading into the open area by the water.
As Greghar and the crew watched, four horses suddenly burst out of one of the side streets. Diana led the way on Hikon, with Nitya seated behind her on the huge white stallion. Caitlin followed her on Rufus with Binne and Dhanraj close behind.
The cavalrymen converged, but Diana fired blasts with her laser pistol, killing two and creating a break in their line. She galloped through the break down to the waterside, scattering the sailors, traders, and trollops that were milling about there. One of the deputies tried to grab Hikon’s bridle as Diana rode by. She took a boot out of her stirrup and her steel toe hit his jaw, knocking him senseless to the ground. She turned on to the quay, but did not slow down. As she approached the quayside, she whispered in Hikon’s ear, and they soared over the gangplank and landed on the Darling Thoma’s quarterdeck, shivering her timbers.
However, the cavalrymen were now over their surprise. They reformed their lines and massed, so that Caitlin, Binne, and Dhanraj found themselves facing ranks more than four deep. Caitlin drew her laser pistol and got off two shots, but there were too many of them. Even as their two comrades fell, the remaining cavalrymen advanced from all sides, their long sabers drawn. Caitlin whirled Rufus and galloped back the way they had come, but Binne and Dhanraj were less nimble in handling their mounts. They found the troopers closing the circle around them. Seeing she could not escape, Binne turned her horse Tagan sideways to block the alley. This delayed the troopers enough to allow Caitlin to get a good head start and for Dhanraj to break free. Caitlin twisted in her saddle, about to pull up and return to them when she saw Binne cut down. Shock and grief were numbed by action as she spurred Rufus to a gallop. Dhanraj urged his bay to follow Caitlin as she disappeared around a bend in the lane. However, one of the troopers rode to head him off, and he had to pull hard on his reins to turn down a side alley to evade him.
“Cast off!” cried Martius. “Let us get under way!” He looked to Nexius, seeing with approval that the first mate was already for’ard, supervising the men up on the ratlines as they set the sails. The Darling Thoma began to glide away from the quay.
“No!” cried Greghar. “We must wait…we cannot leave without Caitlin�
��”
Diana swung down from her saddle and approached him.
“We can do nothing for them now,” she said.
“Several of the baron’s ships in the harbor are making sail,” chimed in Martius. “Even now, we will have our hands full getting out to sea.”
“But we cannot leave without Caitlin,” Greghar repeated. “I will go back for her myself!”
He ran toward the rail, clearly intending to dive into the water and swim back to the esplanade, where the cavalrymen had now divided themselves into two groups. One proceeded in pursuit of Caitlin, and the other cantered up the quay from which the Darling Thoma had departed. Diana put her boot out, and with a quick move, tripped Greghar. He fell heavily to the deck, and as he attempted to rise, she struck his head with the pommel of her sword, knocking him out. Satisfied, she turned to Martius.
“I thank you for taking us aboard,” she said. “But I must ask a further favor. My horse must be moved below decks.”
“You did not give me much choice,” said Martius, trying to sound gruff. He guessed Diana’s identity and her reputation had his eyes darting to the laser pistol at her hip with unease. “Passage on my ship is not free, you know.”
“A gold talent,” said Diana. She drew a coin from a pouch on her weapons belt, and he took it eagerly. “One more when we get to our destination.”
Tar picked Nitya up, his face aglow with happiness. She looked like a child in his enormous arms. The ship was slowly beginning to gather way. They were over fifty meters from the quay and it was falling further away from them with every passing minute. A few of the cavalrymen on the quay drew longbows and nocked ballistic arrows.
“Give over my cabin to Greghar and Nitya as before,” Martius said to Tar urgently. “Take them below immediately. And get Lady Death’s horse into the hold.”
The bowmen on the quay launched their arrows. They arced over lazily, but the barrage was too sparse to do much damage, except by a lucky shot. The arrows fell into the sea around them, barely raising a ripple.
The Eclipse of the Zon - First Tremors (The New Eartha Chronicles Book 2) Page 30