The Gryphon Highlord

by Connie Ward

  To my surprise he gave me a tentative smile, one that only a chosen few ever saw. “Forgive the intrusion,” he said in a softer, less officious tone, “but there's not much time. Where's Sestus?"

  Still groggy I mumbled, “Isn't he in his quarters?"

  "Obviously not, else why would I have come to you?” I opened my mouth to answer but he cut me short. “Never mind. I guess I'll just have to settle for you. Get dressed. I'll wait outside."

  "Where are we going? It's the middle of the night."

  "Out."

  I dressed hurriedly, fumbling about in the dark for my clothes, then rejoined Ginger on the doorstep where he gazed at the waning moon. “Will you please tell me what—"?

  "Follow me."

  Grumbling to myself, I trudged after him to the stables. There he saddled two horses and bade me mount with the surly order, “Just be quiet and follow my lead."

  We rode from the slumbering keep, my docile mare following the stallion into the dark, sprawling countryside. There was no conversation, no sound save for the horses as they trotted steadily afield. Ginger paused once to test the breeze, then veered north. I had begun to doze off when he called a halt.

  We tethered the horses in a stand of poplar, then Ginger pointed our way farther north. “Stay close."

  I shivered in the chill night air and marched after him, still having no idea where we went or why but not daring to ask. As I tramped alongside the mage, a frightful thought occurred. Had Ginger somehow discovered my true identity? Heavens above! Did he plan to—?

  A touch on my arm nearly made me scream. I gasped and jumped away, trembling. Ginger gave me a stern warning glare and brought a finger to his lips. He stared at me a moment longer, eyeing me with clear contempt. “What's the matter with you? Don't tell me you're scared of the dark."

  "Of course not,” I hissed, regaining my composure. “I just find it strange—"

  "Get down,” he snapped, shoving me to the ground. I landed on my belly with a mouthful of twitchgrass, the wizard down beside me. “Don't make a sound."

  With painstaking care we inched ourselves over the rise until we looked down onto the valley below. Ginger gestured with his left hand and it seemed the veil of night lifted to reveal a shade of twilight. A troop of horsemen snaked along a distant road, moonglow glinting off armour and weaponry. At a glance I recognized Castle Gryphon's elite troops.

  Ginger crept closer. Our elbows touched. “Do you know whose Royal that is?"

  Mine, I wanted to shout, though I managed to restrain myself. “The Twelfth. The Gryphon Highlord's."

  "You're certain?"

  "Quite."

  He nodded, satisfied. “That was my guess too, but I wanted to make sure.” His finger lifted ever so slightly to indicate the rider in the lead position, just ahead of my standard-bearer. “Is that her?"

  "No."

  "How can you tell?"

  Oops. I did some fast thinking. “That's not her armour. Nor is that her horse. Hers is white."

  So, I had been replaced. But by whom?

  "Do you recognize the commander?” Ginger persisted.

  I wished he'd shut up so I could think straight. “No, the distance is too great.” Not only that, but his light-spell had begun to fail. “Besides, he wears helm and armour."

  "Well, he's astride a black charger. Sound like anybody you know?"

  I gave him a withering look, which went wasted on the gloom. “That's not much to go on."

  "Fleurry, maybe?"

  I shook my head. “He should be in Pixley by now.” My fists clenched in fury. By damn, if Uncle had given my command to that lout I'd die of shame. Calmly, I uncurled my fingers and battled down my temper, fighting restless, dangerous thoughts.

  "Where do you think they're going?” he wondered.

  "You'd know better than I."

  "Well I don't.” He nudged my arm. “C'mon. We have to find Sestus."

  We slithered back down the hillside and hurried to our mounts. During the return trip I pondered this latest discovery. My Royal had received new orders and now marched under a new commander. But whom had Uncle chosen to replace me?

  Belatedly, I realized I had not seen Valleri. He did not ride beside the commander in what is traditionally my second's position. I began to fret something terrible had happened to him. Uncle may have learned of his role in my escape and had him imprisoned, or executed, or worse.

  When Sestus didn't answer Ginger's knock at the door we let ourselves inside. His quarters were empty, his bed undisturbed. We stood there in the dark and squinted at each other, perplexed by his disappearance.

  "He'll turn up in the morning,” I yawned.

  "I don't have until morning.” The mage sounded agitated. “When did you see him last?"

  "This afternoon. He was on his way to Biddy's for supper, but he should be back by now."

  "Should be. It's nearly dawn. Where could he..?"

  An absurd thought occurred, nudging aside Ginger's words. Did Sestus have reason to suspect Biddy may be plotting his demise, or was his comment only in jest? True, their ongoing feud could be nasty at times, but I'd been convinced they really cared for each other. Had Biddy poisoned Sestus? Was she, this very minute, burying his corpse in her garden, between the herb bed and last year's tomato stakes?

  "Ah, this might sound silly, but before I left him Sestus said something about Biddy plotting to poison him, something about snakefoot in his tea. He asked me to go with him, but I thought he was joking and...” I broke off, aware of my hysterical babble.

  Ginger glared. “You're right. It does sound silly."

  "Well then, where is he?"

  Five minutes later we pounded on Biddy's door, calling Sestus's name. Ginger is not a patient man. He did not wait for an answer. I watched, incredulous, as he forced the door, its latch giving way under his brute strength. We stumbled inside just as a lamp ignited, the sudden light scorching our eyeballs. The illumination, however, gave us a startling view of the situation.

  For there on the bed sat Biddy, her hair strewn about her pale shoulders. And before us stood Sestus, wearing only an expression of horror.

  * * * *

  I apologized profusely to Biddy and Sestus, neither of whom was amused by our brusque intrusion. But after I'd explained, the tension subsided and all was forgiven. Biddy actually got quite a hoot out of it, and laughed until tears came to her eyes. Sestus too, grudgingly admitted a grin once he got over his embarrassment. Only Ginger failed to see the humour.

  The advent of the sun, heralded by the crow of a familiar white, black-speckled rooster, completed the interruption. Biddy insisted we stay for breakfast, and she cooked us all a hearty meal of eggs and sausages. Ginger ate hurriedly while he and Sestus discussed the sighting of the Royalist patrol.

  At one point he mumbled something I did not catch, for Sestus suddenly blurted, “You're leaving? You can't leave, Ginger. We need you here."

  "I have no choice. We must learn what the Royalists are up to."

  "How long will you be gone?"

  Ginger shrugged. “A week, maybe two. Surely, you'll survive without me for a fortnight."

  "You can't go alone,” Sestus protested. “It's not safe. We've never seen a patrol in this area until now. It could be a trap to lure you out."

  "I'll take Ragsey with me. He's due back any minute. I assure you my tracking skills are more than adequate enough to elude any Royalist patrol. Or do you lack confidence in my talents of wizardry?"

  "Of course not. It's just your talents could be put to better use here. Hell! We've already lost Belvemar. It's anybody's guess if we'll see Repachea again, knowing his bent for misadventure and self-destruction. Now, you? It's too dangerous."

  Ginger smiled, but it was a hollow, jaded sort of smile, very different from the shy, almost friendly one I'd seen earlier. “I appreciate your concern. But danger, my friend, is the name of the game."

  "I agree with Sestus. I think you should remain here."<
br />
  I don't know why I said that. Certainly it would be safer for me with Ginger gone. Perhaps, deep down, I feared the mage would learn things during his reconnaissance I'd prefer he didn't.

  I glanced up from my meal to see both men staring at me. Sestus glared icy rebuke. Ginger was not nearly as pleasant. His grey eyes had hardened to stone, unmistakable malice etched in them. Then in a voice thick with soft menace he said, “You have no say in the matter, precious."

  My back stiffened at his arrogance. I am not used to not having a say in matters. Nor am I accustomed to being told so. In Castle Gryphon my word had been second only to Uncle's.

  I returned his baleful stare but held my tongue, aware I could not openly challenge his authority, though it galled me to no end.

  "Why is it so important you go?” Sestus asked.

  "There's a chance the Gryphon Highlord may ride with them. If I can bring her into our custody, she may prove to be a strong bartering tool with the Regent. She is, after all, Bertrand's blood heir."

  "Bertrand doesn't care about his niece,” I snorted, as much as it hurt to admit. “He's already retired her."

  "That's merely rumour. I've neither seen nor heard evidence to substantiate it."

  "That's irrelevant. I've already told you the Gryphon Highlord did not command that patrol, or does my word mean so little?"

  "It can't hurt to make sure. She may ride incognito."

  Now that was truly absurd, but there was no way I could persuade him otherwise. It did, however, prompt me to think I might have overlooked Valleri. Maybe he led the patrol. Maybe he didn't believe me dead and searched for me. Maybe I could somehow let him know I lived.

  "In that case, I'll go with you."

  "You will do no such thing,” Ginger snapped.

  "I see no reason why I can't. It may even benefit you to have me along. I can ride some, as you know, so I won't slow you—"

  "Be silent. You'll stay right here and help Sestus until I return.” Fury smouldered in his eyes, trembled in his voice. “So long as you are here in Idyll, accepting our hospitality and our protection, you'll damned well do as I say. Is that clear?"

  From the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of Sestus teetering on the verge of a conniption. I could push my defiance no further. “Yes."

  "Yes, what?"

  I clenched my teeth. “Yes, sir."

  Ginger stood, said to Sestus, “I'm leaving within the hour and there's nothing you can say or do to stop me. I'll be back just as soon as I can. In the meantime, perhaps you'll be able to teach her some discipline."

  The mage spared me a last, poisonous glance and stomped out the door.

  Biddy tried to alleviate the awkward silence left in his wake by quizzing me on my botanical charges. “How are those seedlings I gave you, Ruvie? It'll be planting weather soon. Maybe you can help me track down the hoes and rakes."

  I wasn't really paying attention, glowering at the empty doorway. “Hmm? Oh, yeah, the plants. Sure, they're fine. No problem."

  In truth, the seedlings had withered and the potted seeds of thyme and lavender had failed to sprout altogether. I couldn't even bear to look at the shrivelled towers of ferns, and I feared the henbane had caught a chill. The only thing germinating was my dislike for Ginger.

  * * * *

  Back in my quarters Sestus muttered and grumbled, pacing like a caged beast. “Well, you very nearly mucked it all up, Kathedra. All our carefully laid plans almost went up in smoke."

  "Ruvie,” I reminded him.

  "Ruvie. Yes. Thank you. As I was saying ... you haven't done yourself any good with Ginger, I can tell you that. Nor have you made it any easier for me. I'm responsible for you, remember?"

  Sulking, I sat in Repachea's leather chair and stared out the window. “I'm sorry."

  "Sorry nothing! When will you learn you're no longer in command? Ginger gives the orders around here. Not you."

  "I am the Gryphon Highlord. I take orders from no minor lunatic."

  "You were the Gryphon Highlord,” Sestus reminded me, none too gently. “You're not in the castle anymore, Ruvie. You're going to have to set aside your pride and adopt a lesser role."

  "This is not an easy adjustment for me,” I retorted. “It's bad enough I must eat food the royal hounds would not touch, and wear second-hand rags day in day out, and live in quarters the size of my closet. I've lost my command, my throne, and my inheritance. My dignity is in shreds and my powers in thrall. All this, I think I've accepted better than anyone could possibly expect. But I cannot, will not, take orders or withstand insults from an overbearing, thick-witted, in-love-with-himself madman. I swear, when this is all over I'll have him flogged!"

  Sestus smiled at my tirade. “Yes, well, first things first, Little Red. If you hope to rise to your former glory as the Gryphon Highlord, you'll have to humble yourself for the time being. I know it's hard for you right now, but you will adjust. You carry the blood of a Gryphon queen and an Umagi adept. That is a combination of which you can be proud."

  He concluded his pep talk with the wry remark, “Do try to curb your tongue around Ginger. He thinks you talk entirely too much for a librarian."

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  With Ginger absent I felt liberated, like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Gone was the oppressiveness, the aura of gloom, which seemed to permeate everything when he was near. I no longer walked on eggshells in the fear an unruly thought might break loose and alert him to my deceit. I caught myself humming as I went about my duties, at ease with my new surroundings, adjusting, as Sestus had predicted, to my lesser roles of librarian and nursemaid. People were friendlier toward me, armed with smiles and words of greeting.

  But I was not the only flower that blossomed in the sunlight since the dismal thundercloud that was Ginger had departed. Belvemar's condition improved every day. He grew stronger, his spirits high, and his pain tolerable. Biddy thought she had the infection under control and there was no sign of gangrene. The fact he still lived did not seem so miraculous.

  Of course, the greatest miracle of all was that Biddy and Sestus had called what could be loosely termed a truce. Oh, they still bickered and sniped, but their hearts weren't really in it, almost as if they acted out of habit than true animosity. The discord remained, not always evident, lying just below the surface. I resolved to get to the bottom of it. Meddling, Ragsey said. Nonetheless, I was determined that they should find happiness together.

  For the moment, I basked in Ginger's absence. Idyll itself seemed to heave a collective sigh of relief, freed from the tension and despair emanating from the dour mage.

  My work in the map room progressed smoothly enough, and soon became routine. Of course, I had Sestus for companionship despite constant interruptions demanding his attention. I had yet to determine his placement in the Crusader command structure. Although he did not hold a captain's rank, he boasted a position of some authority, and served the outlaw leaders in the capacity of an advisor/mediator. But with both Ginger and Repachea absent, and Belvemar incapacitated, Sestus was the man in charge.

  So it happened one day, while Sestus and I worked together in the dungeon blissfully free from disturbances, the subject of Valleri again arose.

  Some time ago Sestus had produced a set of obsolete interior plans of Castle Gryphon. It became my task to update these maps, marking everything from the new servants’ quarters to the labyrinth of tunnels burrowing beneath the foundation. He studied each of my completed copies with thoroughness and asked pertinent questions. On this particular occasion he placed before me the most recent of my reproductions and pointed to the area of his concern.

  "This passageway, Kath ... dammit, Ruvie,” he began, scratching his head. “Where does it lead? You've shown it exits into the bailey, but I can't identify its point of origin."

  Avoiding his glance I answered, “My apartments."

  "Ahhh ... Ah-ha!” He hid his smile very badly. “So all those rumours about you and your seco
nd are—"

  "None of your business,” I finished for him, smiling a secret smile of my own.

  Sestus chuckled to himself, pleased with his deductive reasoning, until he recalled the identity of my second-in-command. His amusement disintegrated. “You and Valleri?"

  "Yes, Sestus,” I said wearily. “Does that surprise you?"

  "Frankly, yes. The idea never occurred to me. Although now, I must admit it seems only natural. Why didn't you tell me?"

  "I thought you would disapprove."

  "Because he's your second?"

  "Yes,” I sighed, hoping a confrontation was not at hand. “Understand, Sestus. Valleri was my lieutenant first. I appointed him to that position because he was strong, fearless, reliable. It was only later, for lack of someone else, I took him for my consort. I know it is a breach of some unwritten military code to allow this intimacy between captain and second to develop, but I didn't care. It never affected my judgment, never interfered with duty. For that reason, and the fact Valleri was not of royal blood, we were forced to be discreet. Our entanglement would have been a source of embarrassment to Uncle. We knew if he ever found out, he would put a swift end to it, which he did, although it was merely an excuse to disguise his true motive."

  I turned my back to him, wishing for a window to look out. “So, please. Don't lecture me, Sestus. I've paid the price for my indiscretion with a broken heart."

  "Love,” Sestus groaned. “It is a bond that enslaves entire armies."

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "Only it complicates matters for you."

  I smiled, rueful. Sestus had not been born yesterday. He perceived my love for Valleri as a serious kink in the Crusader strategy. “You have good cause to question my loyalties. I've studied the maps. I've read the communiqués from Pixley. I've heard Ragsey's reports. Your counterstrike is bolder than I first thought. The Crusaders plan to storm Castle Gryphon and usurp the throne by brute force. Negotiation is not an option. They plan a massacre. I probably can't prevent it. I will, however, do everything in my power to protect Valleri. I will not sacrifice him in order to grant your friends a victory, nor to regain my throne. I've betrayed Uncle. But, please, don't ask me to betray Val. I can't. I won't."