A few hours later Ben went home to see if his wife was there. She was sitting at the table in full tears. He sat across from her and picked up both her hands, caressing her palms as he held them. “What is it, dear? What is wrong?”
“I may have said too much at the palace, I am sorry.” She couldn’t even look at him, fearing that she had given Genevieve too much information of any plans Ben was making.
Ben was now thinking that she was talking about the baby, he sought to comfort her, “Don’t worry about it. They would have found out sooner or later. I was hoping we could tell them together but I don’t mind that you let it slip a little early. You’re just excited.”
Now Lúta looked confused, “So everything is alright then? Mâvis is not angry?”
“To tell you the truth I couldn’t find him, he wasn’t in his chambers and that palace has so many blasted rooms I’m not sure I would have found him if I looked all night.” Ben got up and poured himself a tea, topping it off with a little of the cognac. Then he grabbed a book off the shelf and went into the parlor, “Come, Lúta, let’s read. It will ease your mind.”
Chapter 40
Mâvis finished up his meeting with the village smith and headed to Beatrice’s to get measured for a new suit for the upcoming festival. He was exhausted by the night he spent in the courtyard training to relieve stress. Genevieve had tried to coax him to bed but he only stopped long enough to kiss her and waive her off, telling her he couldn’t sleep.
On his way home he passed by a few merchants who were in heavy discussion on whether or not visit Abbott. Out of curiosity he started perusing their carts in an effort to listen in. One of the merchants stopped talking to offer the king his attention, “Is there anything of interest, sir?”
Mâvis picked up a bag of dried berries and handed the merchant a couple well-crafted arrow tips as payment. “Your friend needs to see Abbott?”
“Yes, he wanted to get a visit in before the doctor leaves for his new home.”
“Well then, what is his hesitation?” Mâvis opened up the satchel of berries and poured a handful into his palm before popping a few in his mouth.
“We were not sure if he was leaving before the festival or after, would you know?
Mâvis rolled a couple more berries between his fingers eyeing the merchant as he spoke. All his mannerisms indicated he believed what he was saying to be true. “I may not be very accurate on his plans myself. Perhaps you can tell me who told you of these plans?”
“The human was discussing the plans himself at the tavern the other day. Then he ordered some extra supplies from myself and Bernard. I assumed it was for the trip.”
The king offered the merchant another arrow tip, “If you hear anything else of his plans I wish to be informed immediately. I will cover your grain for the year on anything that you can prove to be correct.”
The merchant lit up at the offer, “Of course, sir, thank you.”
“What is your name merchant?” The king asked making exceptional mental note of what he looked like.
“I am Ian.” He reached out to shake the king’s hand and Mâvis ignored the gesture, instead pouring the rest of the berries in his mouth and leaving.
Not even an hour later Lúta appeared at the same vender cart looking for a snack to satisfy her cravings. She picked up a couple of sweet buns and some eggs to bake with. She paid with a few bear steaks and turned to leave when the merchant stopped her. “Lúta, when are you and Abbott leaving for King William’s island?”
“I am sorry?” She paused looking around to see if any guards were nearby.
The merchant continued as he pointed to the cart next to his, “It is just that Bernard was planning on a visit and wanted to know when would be a good time to stop in.”
“We have no plans to leave that I know of. I do know my husband will be gone after the festival to collect some supplies he requested. He will be gone for the entire day so it might be wise to see him before then if it is something urgent.” With that she left.
Ian had long since packed up and left when Kevin stopped by Bernard’s cart looking for any new tools the tradesman specialized in. Seeing nothing of interest he turned to leave when Bernard stopped him. “Hey have you heard any news of when the doctor plans on leaving for King William’s?”
The question stopped Kevin dead in his tracks, his rumor was panning out well. Venders have nothing better to do all day than gossip with each other. If one wanted to start trouble this was the best place to do it. “I thought he was leaving with the next merchant caravan after the festival. But it could just be tavern talk.”
Bernard shook his head, “His wife says he is just making a supply run out to the beach.”
“Oh yeah, a supply run. Because if you are one of the king’s most valued employees you wouldn’t disguise your attempt to leave as something like a supply run.” Kevin’s comment got Bernard thinking. Now it makes sense as to why the king would pay so well for this information. He must not have given the human permission to leave.
The vendor thanked Kevin before packing up his own cart for the night and heading to the palace. He waited patiently in the king’s office, smiling as he stood when Mâvis entered, offering his hand to the king.
Mâvis ignored the offer, looking far less than amused by the vendor’s presence. “You are here with news of the doctor’s plans I take it?” Mâvis sat at his desk watching the vendor’s mannerisms carefully. He took note that Bernard’s movements were already shaky and indecisive. “So then, you must have heard of the generous reward I am offering for information on this?”
The vendor rubbed the back of his neck as if to calm himself down, “Yes, I overheard your conversation with Ian. He had gone home already when this news came to me. I am only assuming the reward would stand. It is not my only motive in bringing you this information, sir. It just seems to me that you may not be fully aware of the doctor’s plans, I feel duty bound to share what I have heard.” The king’s stare grew more intense as he sat watching the vendor fidget and squirm in his chair.
At least some of what the man was saying was completely made up, he was far too restless to be telling the complete truth. Yet his manners did indicate he had some solid information. Mâvis’s patience was growing thin on trying to decide which part of the information mattered. He pulled out a voucher for grain and filled in the weight to be given and signed it. Then he let the document sit on his desk as he leaned back in his chair again watching the vendor with a vicious intensity. “So what is it you would like to tell me?”
Bernard swallowed hard on his words before speaking, “The doctor is planning on escape after the festival. He intends to take leave with King William’s caravan.”
Mâvis took immediate note that the man believed his story to be true, “Tell me, vendor, what is your source for this information?”
“I thought it to be rumor sir, until Lúta confirmed it herself just this afternoon.”
Bernard almost looked ready to jump from his skin as Mâvis snatched up the document from his desk and held it up to offer the vendor, “This should be more than enough to last you the rest of the year.” Bernard reached for the paper and Mâvis pulled back on it just before he could take it, “Let this come with a warning, however. Should what you have told me prove in anyway to be a lie, I will kill you. Are we clear on that?”
“Sir, I swear I have told you everything as I have heard it.” Bernard didn’t hesitate as he accepted the grain voucher and left. Mâvis sat back in his chair stewing on the fact that the vendor’s last words were solid in his belief.
Now he contemplated why. Why would Abbott do this when he had been given everything he needed and then some? Why would he betray his king, or his friend? But Mâvis knew the answer. Ben always said he served no one willingly, no one except for Lúta. Despite all he had done for the woman she despised her king and would do anything to get out from under his rule.
Still he could not break the nagging feeling that th
is was just not like Abbott. Sure he had secrets in the past, but nothing that would jeopardize their bond, or his own life. If nothing else there was one thing Ben had mastered since he arrived in this world and that was the art of self-preservation. The fool could talk his way out of practically anything at least until now, should this information prove to be true. Mâvis shoved himself off his chair and left to find his wife.
Chapter 41
The entire square was full for the festival. The bon fire lit up the night and torches flanked the patio and lysthus. Tables with food and ale were everywhere for villagers to take advantage of. The king casually leaned on the railing watching his daughter play at his feet with a few other village cubs.
Beatrice and Genevieve made their way through the square to corner Lúta and talk about her pregnancy. Beatrice rubbed her friend’s belly, “When were you going to tell me?”
Lúta blushed as she covered her friend’s hand with her own. “I was hoping to keep it a secret a little while longer but clearly Genie has no ability to hold her tongue.” She gave the queen a playful scolding and then a hug.
The three of them strolled through the festival for a few hours talking about what the cub would look like and what Lúta would need for clothing and nursery items.
Ben finally made his appearance in the square having been tied up with a couple of late appointments at his clinic. He budged his way past the women crowding out his wife to give her a kiss and then followed with a hug from Beatrice and the queen. He helped himself to a mug of ale and a few cookies before wandering over to the king. “This square cleans up nicely for a party doesn’t it?” He leaned on the railing next to Mâvis and offered him one of the cookies in his hand.
The king stood remarkably still, his steady controlled breathing a strong indicator to his mood as his blue eyes bored into Ben’s core. Mâvis was dangerously agitated as he broke his gaze on Ben and focused instead on the festival. Ben then offered one of the cookies to Jocelyn. She went to reach for it and as she did so Mâvis shoved Ben away from her and snatched her up, leaving the party.
Ben just stood there dumbfounded and hurt by what just happened. Suddenly the king no longer trusted him. This was beyond ordinary frustration or anger. His relationship with the king was lost. The one thing worse than being Mâvis’s friend was the one thing Ben feared the most, becoming his enemy. Just like when they met Ben was again in the position of watching his back. A position he had desperately tried to avoid at all costs. He left his mug on the railing and went home.
The next day the merchants from King William’s were packing up to leave. The boats would arrive soon if they hadn’t already. Ben got dressed and went up to the palace looking for a guard to escort him to the beach. He found Thomas outside the palace door. “Could I trouble for an escort to the beach? I am expecting a package for my wife and don’t wish to take my chances with William’s guards on my own.”
Thomas nodded and grabbed a spear from the courtyard. As they turned to leave Reagan passed by and Ben stopped him for a moment, “Could you inform Mâvis I need to go to the beach, should he need me today I will be back in time for dinner. I would like to join him if he will have me tonight.”
Reagan replied, “I will let him know. Will your wife be attending as well?”
“If I can help it, she has been a bit moody lately and so has Mâvis. Might be wiser to keep the two of them away from each other. That can only end with me caught in the middle.” Ben smiled at the guard who was now laughing. Then he turned to follow Thomas.
A few hours later Reagan finally ran into the king on his way out of his office. “Sir, I need to inform you that Abbott has gone to the beach.”
The king stopped in his tracks, “Are you sure of that?”
“He told me so this morning.” Reagan paused for only a moment as Mâvis shoved past him with a grunt and Reagan called after him, “Sir, he also wanted me to tell you to expect him for dinner...” It was too late. The king was gone.
Reagan struggled briefly with what just happened then realized where the king was going. “Damn it!” He immediately tore through the palace looking for more guards. If there was a chance to stop Mâvis he would need all the help he could get.
It was late day before Ben made it to the beach, Thomas was already there having gone ahead to help unload the boats. He stopped and pointed to a crate that had been take off earlier. Ben pulled out his pocket knife and started sorting through the tools that might work to pop the rough cut nails off the box so he could look inside.
It had a few food items he had requested and the one item he wasn’t sure he could get, a crib. Man made with a commercial tag on it. “How on earth did he get this? It has to be from Young. But he got it too fast for it to be the spirit trader. How?”
Ben covered the box again and picked up a rock to secure the nails back into place. He turned to see if Thomas was done unloading the boats but what he saw was the king. The last time he saw that look in Mâvis’s eyes was the day they met.
Thomas watched from the boat as the king closed in on Ben and dropped what he was doing to see what was going on. But before he could even make it out of the boat Mâvis belted Ben in the face sending him hard against the crate. Ben slid off the box and nearly sunk to his knees before Mâvis hauled him up and belted him again this time sending him into the sand.
Ben did not have time to even focus on what was happening before Mâvis had a hand on his throat, “After all I have done for you, this is how you repay me? I killed my friend in your NAME and saved your WIFE! I kept you safe from those who wish to USE you for your powers.” His grip on Ben was too tight for him to answer and his face was purple from the lack of oxygen. Both his hands were clutching at the king’s wrist and the only thing he could see was the rage in Mâvis’s eyes as his world started fading on him.
Mâvis let go and yanked him to his feet then shoving him backwards, “Come on, human, defend yourself! I know I trained you to, or do you not remember that gift as well?”
Thomas was now trying to intervene, putting himself between Ben and the king, “Sir, what is the trouble?”
It took mere seconds for the king to disarm the warrior and send him to the ground with Tom’s own spear in the sand a mere hair from his head, “You will NOT interfere!” Mâvis stepped over the guard, “I expect an answer, human!”
Ben backed up this time as the king approached him, “I’m not sure what this is about, sir,” His words were slurred from his swollen face. The king kicked his knee out from under him and belted him again sending him spinning into the sand. Ben landed face down and was ready to just give up, not wanting to stand again.
Mâvis rolled him onto his back and crouched down to look into Ben’s eyes, “I give you your freedom and you try to leave? Did you honestly think I would just let that happen?”
“Please, just kill me. The crib was for my-” He had to pause to get through the pain before he could finish, “The box, it is a crib for my baby. My cub. Please give it to Lúta.”
“What?” The king’s expression took a confusing turn. “What did you say?” Ben didn’t even get a chance to answer as Mâvis stormed over to the box Ben was working on moments ago. Mâvis wedged his claws under the lid and ripped the top off. It was full of medical supplies and a large cradle of some sort.
Thomas stood wiping sand from his fur, “He asked me to help him bring that home. I was unaware there was a problem with it.”
Reagan was now on the beach with several guards, he looked down at the mess Abbott was in. “Oh, human, I tried to make it out here but the king is too fast. I am sorry.” He was kneeling to pick Ben up as he addressed the king. “He was returning for dinner sir. He had requested to eat with your family this evening.” Reagan had a hard time looking at Mâvis as he spoke. Trying to hold back his own anger at the condition of Ben in the presence of the king.
“Why was I not informed of this sooner?” Mâvis stood with both his hands on his hips as he stared down at the m
angled mess in Reagan’s arms. “Take him to the palace and send for his wife.”
It was dark by the time they all made it back to the castle. Ben was long passed out from the pain. Reagan set him down in a room across from the King’s chambers and sent the chambermaids up to clean and tend to him before heading out to find Lúta.
Mâvis waited in the great hall for Ben’s wife and he was deep in thought when she made an entrance with the queen by her side, “What did you do?” She crossed the floor in a fury and slapped Mâvis full on in the face, “What did you do to my husband you WOLF? If you ever touch him again I will kill you myself!”
The king clenched his jaw and closed his eyes as he heard the guards cross the floor to snatch her up, “Leave her.”
Both the guards took her by the arms, “Sir, she struck you and threatened your life.”
He stood and leaned over the table, “Leave her or answer to me.” Then he turned to Lúta, “I have no answer for what I have done. Go to your husband, he needs you. If you have any requests they will be honored.”
“The only request I have is to let me take him from here. Let me take him as far from you as I can get him. You owe him, Mâvis!”
His ice blue eyes were now focused hard on her, “You KNOW that will NEVER happen! Go tend to your husband while I figure this out.” She stared defiantly back at him for a good minute before she stormed off leaving Genevieve alone with her husband.
His wife’s eyes were enraged, “How could you do this? He was your friend Mâvis!”
“I told you I have no friends, woman, now take leave.” He lost eye contact with her halfway through his words as he tried over and over to figure out how this lie got so far. She stood her ground waiting for an answer till Mâvis straightened up and started walking towards the door, “Fine then, I will take leave.”
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