“No,” Riana assured him, amused at his uncertainty. “She said it surprised her, when she realized what ye be doing. She had no idea how to take it at first. But then she realized that she could depend on ye the way I do, and even more, as ye be her partner as well. After that, she said it was like someone had handed her starfire when she had no’ expected it.”
He blew out a breath. “Good. Just, good.”
Riana shifted in her chair, leaning more toward the side. “That man we be meeting, ye said he would wear a yellow scarf about his neck?”
“Aye, that was what Edvard said. Do ye see him?”
“I think so.” She sat up straighter while looking over her da’s shoulder. “Ah, caught his eye. He be coming straight toward us.”
They bided until a stranger came around and gestured to the empty chair at their table. From Edvard’s description, this must be the man. He had salty black hair, brown eyes, a stodgy figure, and a yellow scarf tied above a white collared shirt. Broden nodded, encouraging the man to take a seat.
“Riana and Broden Ravenscroft?” he asked in a low voice. “King’s archers?”
“More like wizards’ archers,” Riana corrected in amusement. “But aye, that be us.”
The man relaxed a hair, although his eyes kept shifting about, marking the location of every person within earshot. “Good. I’m Troi and I greet you.”
“May harmony find ye, Troi,” Riana responded politely. Lowering her voice to a confidential level she admitted frankly, “Edvard sent us here, but he did no’ give us much in the way of instruction. What do we need to do?”
“Spread rumors and at the same time, keep your ears open.” Troi focused on them just long enough to say this, his eyes momentarily stopping their ceaseless pan of the room. “Specifically, we’re spreading the rumor that anyone that wants to set fires to the city or starts riots must be an agent of Iysh. It’s about half true, actually, but if we attach that stigma to the troublemakers, then the people around them are more likely to turn them in.”
Made sense. Every person in this city hated Iysh with a passion. They hated the country enough to desert it and abandon the lives they had to come to a new country. If they knew that the man beside them was serving their enemy, they’d be quick to take him down. Riana nodded, admiring the ploy. “That be easy enough. And what do we listen for?”
“Anything. Everything.” Troi’s expression and tone was intense as he responded. “No matter how trivial it might seem. I gather all of the pieces from my agents and put them together. You might not know enough to see how it fits into the overall picture, which is why I need you to tell me everything you hear. Clear enough?”
“Aye, man, we hear ye.” Broden scratched at his jaw with a finger. “Anything else?”
“If you can, straighten people out if there’s any confusion. I hear the most interesting interpretations on the law sometimes.” Troi shook his head in exasperation. “I’m not sure if it’s Iysh agents messing with us or if it’s just general stupidity. It could be a mix of both.”
Broden grunted sourly. “I bet on the latter. Aye, man, we will do that when we can. Where do we start?”
“Here is fine.” Troi inclined his head toward the room in general. “Stay for about two hours or so. I’ll meet you at the castle in the morning, before you both head out, and get a report from you then. I promised Edvard I wouldn’t keep you long in the evenings. I’m just short on manpower right now, and this tavern is a hotbed for gossip. You staying just those two hours will help a great deal.”
Ah, now she understood why Edvard wanted them doing this. “I think I ken, Troi. Then, Da, shall we start?”
Broden eyed the room with its crowded occupants, people squashed together, and blew out a resigned breath. “Aye, daughter, let us get this over with.”
Chapter Twenty-nine
“Edvard! Ashlynn!” Bria called out excitedly, waving an arm high above her head.
Broden watched indulgently as the girls more or less crashed together, and hugged and cried and talked all at once. The way they acted, it was as if they had not seen Ashlynn recently at all, even though it had only been about three weeks. Edvard they treated the same way, and he tried to hug all three of them at once, although his arms were not long enough to manage it.
When word had reached them that the ship had arrived, he and Ashlynn had raced down Port Road to get here, and Broden admitted only to himself that he was a bit winded from the mad sprint. Ashlynn had been half-convinced that someone on the first ship they’d taken to reach Lakepoint had been an informant for the Iyshian king, or at least a tattletale. If he had not known that, then they would have been ambushed and attacked on the way back to Estole. Just like they had been on the way down to Trenena. But Zelman must have known the sisters were no longer with them, because they did not have any resistance on the trip back. Broden admitted the lass had a point, but they had no proof. He was just glad to see the girls had gotten here safe and sound.
All three of them looked better than they had three weeks ago. The sea air had done them good. There was a flush to their cheeks now, and they didn’t move as if their limbs dragged at them. That was just as well, for if Edvard had seen what they were like at the abbey, then he really would have gone to war with Zelman over it.
Everyone at the port indulgently let the family reunion play out in their midst, trying to dodge the five people as much as they could, but this was a busy dock area. There was cargo to be unloaded, crewmen wanting liberty, and other ships needing to come in. Eventually, after being almost hit for the umpteenth time, Edvard seemed to realize they needed to change locations.
“Let’s go home,” he suggested to everyone. “I’m actually expecting Tierone for dinner—he sent a message this morning saying he’d be coming and to expect him in the evening. So if we hurry, it’ll give you time to freshen up before he arrives.”
“Oh!” Cat’s face lit up in a smile. “I haven’t seen Tierone in forever. Is he doing well?”
Edvard linked arms with a sister on either side, leaving Bria to link arms with Cat, and they started walking back to the castle-manor. He chatted with the girls on either side of him happily, talking about everything that suited their fancy.
Ash and Riana had been told about the sisters’ arrival, of course, but being as they were out on the border, they could not come quickly. It was afternoon already, so Ash told his twin they would work another hour more and then quit early to head back to the castle.
In the past two weeks, things had improved. No one else had dared to set fire to any buildings, not with Ashlynn’s threat hanging over their heads. They’d had one riot a few days ago, but even that was squashed quickly, thanks to the rumors that Edvard had spread about the city. Now, even passersby were likely to jump on anyone trying to incite a riot, thinking they were stopping an evil spy of Iysh. Like as not, only half the time that was the case, but Broden was not about to abuse them of the notion.
Troi had said the morning after their meeting that he had at least some of the Iysh agents pinned now, and was already moving to get rid of them. Broden hoped that meant he and Riana would be let off from this spy-duty Edvard had forced on them soon. But time would tell on that.
By the time they made it back to the castle, Ash and Riana were already there, standing in the doorway, clearly waiting on them. Broden snorted in amusement. ‘Work another hour’ was it? Yes, he could tell that had happened.
The girls lit up when they saw Ash and raced forward, surrounding him as they had Edvard earlier. The wizard had a full smile on his face as he exchanged hugs and greetings. Riana seemed overwhelmed by all of this and stepped back, giving him space. She did not get more than two feet before Ash reached back, grabbing her arm and drawing her forward. Broden watched this with a strange feeling in his chest. Ash hadn’t been looking in his daughter’s direction at all. So how had he known that Riana was backing away from him?
“That bond of theirs is growing strong at a
n amazing rate,” Ashlynn observed to no one in particular.
Broden’s head snapped around. “What?”
“Their bond,” she repeated patiently. “Riana said she wanted it deeper than the first level, and it looks like she’s getting her wish. Haven’t you seen how they act around each other? I swear they don’t even need words half the time, they just react to what the other person is feeling.” Her smile became indulgent as she expounded. “It’s sweet to see, actually. I think Riana desperately wanted a true connection to someone else, and I certainly don’t see Ash complaining. Broden…that’s a very odd expression on your face. Hadn’t you noticed what was going on?”
He let out a growl and grumped, “No, lass, I had no’.”
“In other words,” she drawled knowingly, “you had, but were doing your best to ignore it.”
Broden gave her a flat, unamused glare.
Not fazed, Ashlynn chuckled in wicked amusement. “There, there. It’s not as bad as all that.”
So she said. It was not her little girl cozying up and making bonds with a man.
Patting him on the arm, she encouraged, “Let’s go have a quick wash, shall we? I expect Tierone any minute and I stink of sweat after running around the city all day.”
Might as well.
When Tierone, Duke of Dahl, arrived, Riana was surprised by how he looked. She didn’t know why she had half-expected another version of Edvard to appear, but she had. Tierone did not look a thing like his brother except the dark hair. He had dark eyes, not blue, prominent bone structure, and a massive body that any logger would envy. He greeted his siblings with open delight.
Riana had not known how to take this outpouring of acceptance and glee earlier from Ash’s not-quite-blood-sisters. They were radically different from Ashlynn, being softer and more womanly, so it felt odd being in their company. But she didn’t dislike them, and the more time she spent with them, the more comfortable she became.
When they sat down for dinner, Gwen took great delight in sitting between her two big brothers, and monopolized both Edvard and Tierone. Or tried to. Edvard Knolton’s table at dinner was never a quiet one, but tonight it was especially boisterous, and Riana’s face hurt from laughing and smiling so much.
Eventually, the girls went off to bed, leaving kings, wizards, and archers left at the table.
Edvard turned to Tierone and offered, “We can talk about everything tomorrow if you wish. It doesn’t have to be tonight. I know you had a long ride getting here.”
“No, I’m in no mood to rest. I want to hear what you’ve come up with,” Tierone denied, voice deep and pleasant on the ear. His was the kind of voice that a woman could listen to all day without tiring of it.
“Then let’s move to my study,” Edvard suggested. He seemed pleased that Tierone had chosen to talk now instead of later. Catching their eyes, he made it clear that he included all of them in that invitation.
Riana stood readily and followed after him, not surprised he wanted them all there. After all, they had all had a hand in making the laws and government. If there were to be any discussion on merging the two kingdoms into one, then it would be best they were there.
The study had obviously been set up for this meeting, as the top of Edvard’s table could be seen (for once). The map of Estole that he had marked was also spread atop his desk.
Ashlynn was all of two feet inside when she announced, “It’s stuffy in here. I think I’ll sit outside on the balcony while you two talk things over. Call me if you need me.”
Without a by your leave, she did just that, opening both balcony doors and sailing outside. Broden, with a shake of the head, followed her. Riana wasn’t sure why—unless it was sheer habit. After all, he followed her all day.
Riana and Ash took a seat at the far end of the table, while the brothers sat in the middle. Clearing his throat, Edvard began, outlining the plan he had been working on for the past several days. He was only half way through when Tierone started shaking his head in disagreement.
“Edvard,” Tierone said in exasperation, “why did you think that would work?”
“You’re the one that wanted to join forces with me and make this a single country!” Edvard retorted, flinging both arms into the air in exasperation.
“I said I wanted to ‘join in the rebellion’ not that I wanted to make Dahl a part of Estole!” Tierone looked toward the heavens in a clear prayer for patience. “Brothers we may be, but we don’t do anything alike. We don’t even think alike! We manage our people in completely different ways. You really expect us to be able to co-rule a country and agree on what needs to be done?”
Edvard had his mouth open, ready for a hot retort, only he couldn’t quite seem to gather it together. Finally he slumped in on himself, letting out a year’s worth of sighs. “Fine. I take your point. So, what did you want, then?”
“To simply join hands.” Tierone extended one in illustration. “As we have always done. When you declared independence of Zelman and Iysh, I simply stood by and watched, as I wasn’t sure if your actions were wise. Now I see that they may not be entirely prudent, but they are necessary. We have put up with evil for far too long in silence.”
“Well, I agree. It’s why I did what I did.” Edvard did not respond as quickly as usual, as if he were choosing what words to say. “So, what? You simply want us to agree to help each other when the other needs it?”
“As we have done in the past,” Tierone repeated patiently. “I feel that we should have it in writing, so that the next generation of kings will honor our agreement. But I hope that there never comes a time when one has to wave a signed document in the other king’s face.”
Riana silently wished them luck on that one. She had never seen a case where a long-standing agreement between two family members was honored from one generation to the next. It usually broke down at the third generation, if not the second.
Edvard did not seem entirely happy with this, but he did seem relieved, as if he had worried about the co-ruling. “Well, I suppose that is prudent. Very well, we can sit down with Ash and draw something up.”
Tierone regarded him blankly. “Ash?”
“Ash has drawn up all our laws so far,” Edvard explained easily. “He’s proven to be quite good at it.”
Ash, beside her, just sighed in resignation. Riana had to bite her bottom lip to keep from smiling. Leaning into him, she whispered, “The reward for work well done be more work.”
“I’ll remember that next time,” he grumped, although there was a twinkle in his eye.
Tierone sat back in his chair, crossing his legs comfortably. “While Ash is writing that up, explain to me your new government structure and laws. I might very well copy or adapt what you’ve created instead of trying to come up with something on my own.”
“Our laws are not complete,” Edvard warned. “We simply created the basics of what we needed on the fly, and are filling in the holes as the situation demands it.”
Flipping a hand palm up, Tierone silently acknowledged this. “That is usually how lawmaking works, I think. Regardless, tell me what you already have in place. I have no intention of repeating your mistake and declaring the Bindings overruled until I have something to replace them with.”
“Hey!” Edvard protested indignantly. “How was I supposed to know I would get swarmed with people the very next day?”
“You didn’t,” Tierone allowed, grin widening on his face. “But it was still folly to move until you had a plan in place. You know it was, Edvard.”
“For your information I did have a plan!” Edvard riposted.
Riana rolled her eyes as the mature conversation degenerated into sibling bickering. Clearly, people didn’t ever truly grow up. At least, these two hadn’t. She sat back and let it go on for a minute or two, thinking that they would pull themselves out of it, but it only got worse, with their volume growing. Frowning, her eyes bounced between one man and the other. They honestly thought about governing a land tog
ether? They couldn’t even be in the room more than ten minutes afore arguing with each other!
At this rate, nothing would get done. She nudged Ash in the side with her elbow and urged, “Go break that up afore it falls to fisticuffs.”
Ash shook his head. “Only one person can break them up. Well, no, two actually. Gwen and Ashlynn. Gwen’s way is nicer, but since she isn’t here…” he trailed off before hopping up and heading toward the open balcony door. “Sis?”
Her voice floated through the open door, barely heard over the racket the kings were making. “I hear them.” She sailed into the room like a woman on a mission. Without hesitation or pity, she walked straight to them, hands extended, and smacked them solidly on the back of the heads.
“Ow!” they protested in unison.
“Stop fighting like children and start acting like kings,” Ashlynn scolded, hands on her hips.
“Why do you always hit us so hard?” Edvard complained, rubbing at his abused skull.
“I can use a fist next time, if need be.” She smiled sweetly while holding one glowing fist up in demonstration.
The brothers stared at that glowing hand and gulped before shaking their heads vigorously in denial.
“No?” she asked in mock-disappointment. “Well, I suppose I won’t, then. Now, what are you supposed to be talking about?”
They stopped and looked at each other. Honestly, had the fighting gotten to the point that they didn’t remember? Tierone was right, there was no way these two could co-rule and have it work out.
“Government structure and laws,” Riana supplied.
Trying to help them along in the right direction, Ash snagged a copy of the laws and slid it to them on the table’s slick surface before reclaiming his seat. “Here. Start with the laws.”
With a weather eye on Ashlynn, Edvard reached for them and turned the paper so that he and Tierone could both see. His wizard-sister didn’t hover or try to make them behave, but instead went back out, resuming whatever it was she was doing on the balcony.
Arrows Of Change (Book 1) Page 26