Yerrin: A Book of Underrealm (The Nightblade Epic 6)

by Garrett Robinson

  “Well met. I am Yushan, of the family Ying. I was told you are here to help?”

  “And to receive help in return,” said Loren. “We serve the High King Enalyn.”

  Yushan’s eyes flashed. “I trust those who are here in my employ, but even my trust only goes so far. I would ask you not to speak so plainly—not of whom you serve, nor of anything you might see while you are here. Absolute discretion is the only thing that has kept my special guest alive so far. Do you bear any proof that you are who you say you are?”

  Loren produced her writ, and Yushan scanned it quickly. But her hard look softened not a whit. “It looks to be in order,” she said. “Yet I still find myself suspicious. We only sent for aid a few days ago. How did you respond so quickly?”

  “That is easily answered,” said Annis. “We did not respond at all, but were traveling on other business when we heard of the turmoil in the capital. We came to Danfon with no idea that your special guest was alive, for we pursued another goal entirely.”

  Yushan sniffed. “That has the ring of truth to it. Very well. Follow me—but be warned. I have guards aplenty, and not only the ones you can see. You will not come too close to my special guest, or they will cut you down. The fact that two of you are children will not stay their hands.”

  “Children?” said Gem, lifting his chin. “I would wager I have seen more battles and traveled more miles than you have.”

  Loren slapped his shoulder hard. But to her surprise, Yushan’s face finally cracked into a smile.

  “I like you, boy,” said the merchant. “Come, then.”

  She snatched Gem’s hand and drew his arm into her own as she led them into the manor. Gem looked back at Loren in a small panic as she forced him along, but Loren only smiled at him and shrugged.

  Keridwen walked beside Loren and Annis as Yushan took them through the rear entry hall into the kitchen, and then opened the door to a staircase leading down. At the bottom of the staircase was a pantry with shelves along the walls. But no one waited within. Loren’s hackles rose, fearing a trap.

  Yushan turned to them. “Keridwen, if you would? My bones are old.”

  Keridwen nodded and went forwards to one of the shelves. She knocked on the side of it, thrice and then twice. After a long moment’s pause, four knocks sounded from the other side. Keridwen squatted and took one end of the shelf, heaving it from its place.

  “Let me help,” said Loren. She seized the shelf, and Keridwen gave her a grateful smile that made her freckles dance. They swung the shelf out together.

  Behind the shelf was a small doorway that Loren had to stoop to get through. A chamber lay beyond, with rugs on the floor and chairs and a table in the center. But the room was empty. Loren wondered briefly who had knocked on the back of the shelf, but then Yushan led them through this chamber to another door. This one she opened without knocking, and inside they found their prize.

  The chamber into which the door opened was far larger and grander than the first. Leading off from it were four more doors, but Loren had eyes only for the people in the room. Two guards stood before the party, clad in armor of leather and chain. They had their hands on the thin swords at their belts, but they had not yet drawn them. Behind them was a larger man with a short beard whose hair was cut close to his scalp, revealing a long scar that ran back from his forehead. But behind them all was a man who Loren knew at once must be King Jun.

  The king was not as tall as she might have guessed, certainly not as tall as any of his guards. But he had an imperious air that commanded attention. It was not only in the immaculate cut of his hair, nor in the fine robes that he wore, though Loren guessed they were worth more than all the cloth in the whole tailor’s shop she had visited that day. Nor was it in his eyes, though they were piercing and wise in equal measure. It was the way he held himself, the subtle pose of his body that somehow elevated him above the others in the room. Loren had seen such presence before; the High King Enalyn was much the same. She almost felt compelled to take a knee.

  But then she thought of Wellmont, and her thoughts soured. She inclined her head instead. “Your Grace.”

  King Jun did not answer her. Instead, the man with the long scar stepped forth. “And who are you?”

  “I am Loren of the family Nelda, Nightblade of the High King.” Loren pulled the writ from her cloak. “This letter bears her seal, and will show I speak the truth.”

  One of the foremost guards took the writ and handed it to his commander. He did not even glance at it before handing it back to King Jun. Loren guessed that he could not read any better than she could.

  Jun took the writ and unfolded it. Each movement of his fingers was graceful, and he did not lose his poise even when he held the writ close to read it in the dim light of the room’s candles. After a moment his brows rose, just a hair. He handed the writ back to his guard, and it was passed forwards to Loren.

  “Greetings, Nightblade,” said King Jun. His voice was like silk, and though he was quieter than his guard had been, it only served to make them listen more closely. “You have my gratitude for coming to my city.”

  Loren bowed her head again on instinct, but she looked up at once to match his gaze. “Of course, Your Grace. But as we have told the lady Ying, I did not know you were alive when I came to Danfon. It was only by fortune—and by the wits of Keridwen here—that we discovered you at all.”

  “I see,” said Jun. “Why, then, did you come?”

  “We seek the merchant Damaris, of the family Yerrin,” said Loren. “We believe it was she who backed Wojin in his bid for your throne.”

  Jun frowned. “The family Yerrin. That makes some sense, I suppose. Wojin is too much of a craven to plot rebellion without powerful aid.”

  “Though it should be noted that Damaris does not speak for all the Yerrins,” said Annis. “She has been cut off from the family. Though she is dangerous enough on her own, we do not contend with all the might her clan could bring.”

  The large guard with the scar glared at her. “You speak of ‘we.’ But who are you, girl?”

  Annis gulped and lifted her chin. “I am Annis, of the family Yerrin. And I am Damaris’ daughter.”

  All three guards tensed, but Jun lifted a hand at once. “Stay yourselves. I have heard of this girl. She sundered herself from her mother, just as the rest of the family did. We have nothing to fear from her.”

  Annis bowed her head. She had gone a shade paler, and her voice quivered. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  Jun inclined his head. “But that makes only two introductions. The Nightblade has a second companion.”

  For a moment, all was still, and then Gem jerked upright as he realized Jun was talking about him. “Oh, I—yes. I am Gem, of the family Noctis.” He smiled weakly, and then after a moment he added, “Your Grace.”

  Jun pursed his lips. “Well met. And what purpose have you here?”

  Loren was about to answer, but Gem stood forth and threw out his chest. He actually had the audacity to stare down his nose at the king.

  “I? I am the Nightblade’s bodyguard.”

  The room was dead silent for a moment. King Jun’s guards stared at Gem, the corners of their lips twitching, while the large one with the scar frowned. But Jun showed no trace of a smile when he nodded. “Then you are most welcome. Loyal servants are worthy of the highest honor.”

  Then he flapped out his robes and took a seat on the chair behind him. “Very well. Whatever your reasons for coming to Danfon, Nightblade, I am glad you are here. I know that I can rely on your help to retake my throne—not only for my sake, but for the sake of my son.”

  He waved an arm at Keridwen. She bowed and went to one of the room’s doors, ducking within for a moment. When she emerged, she had a young boy in tow. His resemblance to Jun was obvious at once. But where King Jun had an imperious and commanding air, the prince’s eyes shone with curiosity as he looked at Loren and her friends. He went to his father’s side and then gave them all a d
eep bow.

  “My son, Prince Senlin of the family Fei,” said Jun.

  “It is an honor to make your acquaintance,” said Prince Senlin.

  Annis bowed in response. Gem stood stricken for a moment, his mouth hanging slightly open, before he did the same. But Loren only inclined her head again.

  “Well met,” she said. “But Your Grace, I must correct you on one point. I was sent here on a mission from the High King. That mission has not changed. I am sure we all hope Damaris’s capture will help you regain your rightful place as king—but her capture is my only purpose in the city.”

  Jun frowned—barely a small turn of the lips, but it chilled the air in the room. Annis tensed and put a hand on Loren’s arm, but Jun spoke before she could. “As an envoy of the High King, and a servant of her laws, you have a duty to help me restore order.”

  “I know my duty,” said Loren. “Her Majesty herself was the one who gave it to me, Your Grace.”

  The room was silent for a long moment, silent enough for Loren to hear her own pulse in her ears. Her hands had formed fists without her realizing it. Jun studied her for a moment. Then his eyes widened, and he cocked his head.

  “Ah. I believe I understand. You are a girl of Selvan, are you not? I can hear it in your voice. No doubt you resent my kingdom’s role in the Battle of Wellmont.”

  Loren frowned. “Who would not? I was in the city when your forces attacked. I watched its buildings burn and its citizens roast alive in flames—not only the warriors, but the simple folk as well. And it is not the first time you have attacked Selvan without provocation.”

  To her mounting irritation, Jun nodded. “Of course I understand. And who could blame you? Yet I am a king. It is part of my duty to bring prosperity to my people, and to keep them happy.”

  “You … you do not even deny it.”

  Jun spread his hands. “What would you have me deny? I have made war with the blessing of the senate, and my people have prospered as a result.”

  Annis held up a hand. “Mayhap we could turn our discussion to the matter of—”

  “Your people have prospered, have they?” said Loren. “Yet some of them—many of them—died for it. And so have my people. If your son were on the battlements, I doubt you would think so lightly of war.”

  “I have fought in war myself,” said Jun. “When he is of age, Senlin will do the same. If his fate is to die, that is as it shall be. The nine lands make widows and orphans of us all in the end.”

  Loren snorted and gave him a savage grin. “I have heard that wisdom before. It came from Damaris of the family Yerrin, who took your throne from you.”

  Jun frowned. For the first time, Loren thought she saw a flash of anger in his eyes. But Annis stepped forth and spoke loud enough to quell the conversation.

  “If I may,” she said. “Much has happened to us this day, Your Grace, and we are only recently come from the road. I must take a moment to speak with my compatriot. May we retire to the outer chamber, for a moment only?”

  Jun blew a small sigh through his nose. He looked away and waved a hand in dismissal. Loren almost refused—but Annis took her arm and gripped it tight. Relenting, Loren followed her into the sitting room outside, and Gem came at her heels. Thankfully, none of the bodyguards followed, nor did the merchant Yushan. Behind them, someone closed the door with a soft click.

  Annis fixed Loren with a stern glare. “You must control yourself.”

  Loren’s nostrils flared, and her jaw worked. She wanted to argue against Annis—in fact, she wanted to shout at her. But she restrained herself to terse words through gritted teeth. “He speaks of death and killing the way a sane man speaks of cutting his fingernails.”

  “I know,” said Annis. “You know I agree with you. I, too, was at the Battle of Wellmont. Yet you must realize that Jun is not entirely in control of his own position. He must do as the people expect, and he cannot thwart the will of the senate, for they would make things very difficult for him. Power comes with laws that Jun must obey—and one of the most important laws is that might always requires sacrifice. He does what his position forces him to do.”

  “Do you think that makes him blameless?” said Loren. “Your mother taught you to be cruel, and a killer. Yet you rose above it.”

  “And many others have not,” said Annis. “It does not earn them forgiveness—yet it can give us some sort of understanding. Whatever Dorsea’s faults, one of Jun’s chief loyalties aligns with ours. He is a servant to the High King. Wojin serves only himself—and he is allied with my mother.”

  Loren held her gaze. “What will happen if we put Jun back on the throne?”

  Annis’ mouth opened with a quick reply—but then she paused and sighed. “In truth? One day, he will likely make war on Selvan again. Yet Wojin will certainly do the same. And restoring Jun’s kingship will stave off the greater war—the one between the High King and the Necromancer. Jun and the senate may be dealt with later, when Underrealm itself is no longer in danger. Indeed, if we survive this mess, I will help you fight him.”

  Loren turned away with a frown. Then she pushed past Annis and made for the door to Jun’s chamber.

  “Loren—!” Annis reached for her arm, but Loren threw off her hand and opened the door.

  The bodyguards looked up. The one with the scar had gone to Jun’s side and was leaning over him, muttering. He straightened, and Jun turned to Loren. She stopped at the front of the room, feet apart, hands at her sides.

  “I will return you to your throne, Your Grace,” she said. Behind her, she felt Annis freeze in place. “But once I have, I will expect you to remember that it was the Nightblade—a woman of Selvan—who put you there.”

  “And her friends!” said Gem brightly. Loren did not turn, but she heard Annis cuff the boy’s arm.

  Jun met her gaze, unflinching. Then, after a long moment, he inclined his head. “If you manage it, I will not forget—and I will see to it that the senate does not forget, either.”

  Loren nodded. “Very well. I suppose we had better get to planning.”

  “Actually,” said Annis, holding up a finger, “while I appreciate our eagerness, we are all of us weary, as I said. And doubtless His Grace must spend time considering how our arrival may work into whatever plans he had already begun to concoct. I recommend that we retire to our other friends and resume this work on the morrow.”

  “A sensible proposal,” said Jun. “I accept.”

  But the bodyguard with the long scar scowled. “You cannot take lodgings in the city,” he said. “It poses far too great a risk to you, and now, therefore, to His Grace. I will have one of my men fetch your companions, but you will bed here.”

  Loren glanced at Annis. The girl tossed her head slightly and nodded. “Very well,” said Loren. Then she turned to the merchant, Yushan. “And I thank you for your generous hospitality.”

  Yushan bowed low, and her sharp look softened with a smile. “It is my honor. I am only ashamed that His Grace must bed here in my basement while I continue to move about my house in freedom.”

  “You have nothing to be ashamed of,” said Jun. “It is only by your loyalty that we have survived this far. When I am restored to the throne, you and I may discuss how best to fill Wojin’s position in the senate. He will have difficulty holding his seat when he is a corpse.”

  Yushan bowed still lower. Then she beckoned Loren and her friends out of the room and led them up into her manor. One of the bodyguards came with them and then ducked out the manor’s rear entrance to fetch their friends.

  Loren pulled Annis aside to murmur to her. “Why did you call an end to the meeting?” she said.

  Annis blinked at her as if it were obvious. “Because of the exact reasons I said. Mayhap you are not ready to fall over from exhaustion, but I am. At the moment, I could hardly plan an escape from this manor, much less the overthrow of a king.”

  Gem snickered—but ahead of them, the merchant Yushan turned on them sharply. “You sh
all not need to plot any escape from me, but if you do I hope you will not damage my tapestries. They are expensive. And remember that we who are old have not necessarily taken leave of our senses. My ears, in particular, are still sharp.”

  Loren barely hid a smile. Annis flushed and bowed low. “I will remember it, my lady.”

  “Hmf.” Yushan turned and led them on down the hall.

  WHILE THEY WAITED FOR CHET and the others to arrive, Loren looked around the rooms they had been assigned. Yushan had put them in one of the manor’s front wings, where four rooms had wide windows that overlooked the surrounding streets. Yushan had a servant draw drapes across these. “I doubt many in the city would recognize you, but it is best to take precautions,” she said.

  “Thank you,” said Loren.

  “Think nothing of it,” said Yushan. “I will have my servants fetch you something to eat. Do you take wine?”

  “As much of it as we can,” said Gem. Loren glared at him, and he flushed. “And, of course, we thank you for your generosity.”

  Yushan chuckled. “Oh, I do like you, child. Someone will be along shortly.”

  The food arrived just before their friends. Chet looked around cautiously when he was shown into the apartments. Uzo and Shiun went straight to their room once Loren pointed it out. But Wyle stood in the common room of the wing, looking about with pursed lips.

  “Passable, I suppose,” he said. “At least we are not paying for it.”

  “Oh, be silent,” said Annis. “You will be glad to learn you have a room to yourself—not out of courtesy, but because no one wishes to share it with you.”

  “I am glad indeed,” said Wyle. He went to the meal that had been laid out for them, ate a few bites and drank a cup of wine, and then made for the room Annis had indicated. “And with that, I bid you all good night.”

  “Wait!” said Loren. “You went out seeking information today. What did you learn?”

  “Nothing,” said Wyle, shrugging. “I merely sent out word and asked for information to be gathered. These things take time, my dear.”

  Loren suppressed a growl as he went into his room and closed the door. She sat with the others and picked at the food, but her appetite had suffered after her angry words with Jun. She had not been sitting long, however, before a knock sounded at the door. Loren glanced at Annis, but the girl only shrugged.