The Gryphon Highlord

by Connie Ward

  Still he would not lower that baleful glare. “I know now that I'm not to blame for Mauranna's death, or even Nelia's. But I know who is, and I will make him pay restitution, along with anyone else who dares defend him."

  That sounded dangerously like a threat. But Ginger had already spun on a heel and marched off to his horse, making the rest of the Crusaders scurry to mount up in the fear he'd ride off without them.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Knowing a delay would raise Valleri's suspicions, Saxton was on the brink of a faint by the time we finally got moving. The closer we drew to the castle the more Royalists we encountered. Although I thought it strange, it corroborated the theory that with the Crusaders’ defeat Valleri would recall his patrols, allowing Belvemar to converge unimpeded upon Gryphon's walls. I had warned Ginger that Valleri wasn't that stupid, whereupon he tersely informed me it would be my task to distract Val if he proved cleverer than the mage believed.

  I found myself in a tedious dilemma, caught between a rock and a boulder. On one hand, Ginger expected me to manipulate then betray Valleri. On the other, Valleri expected me to bend to his will and assume my role of puppet queen. But neither was aware he had placed me in the unique position of being able to undermine them both. I would use one against the other in order to achieve my goals, proving myself just as ruthless and shrewd as they.

  Oddly enough I grew calmer, more confident, with each step we took towards the castle. I was resolved to my course and so were the men who rode with me. Although fully aware of the possibility they may be riding to their deaths, they did not show it. Regardless of the outcome, whether that be success or failure, these men already considered themselves heroes.

  Sighting our party, Gryphon's sentries sounded the alert and raised the portcullis. We clattered beneath the iron gate, Roche's banner snapping above our heads. The castle came to a standstill as its inhabitants paused to gawk at the somewhat less than triumphant return of the exiled Princess Kathedra, or the deposed Gryphon Highlord, depending on one's point of view.

  Judging by the taut silence charging the air, the castlefolk did not know whether to hail my rise from the grave with cheers of welcome or gasps of disbelief. My gaze drifted to the east tower, where Uncle had imprisoned himself. The structure projected a sullen malice all its own.

  A grisly sight awaited us as we rode farther into the bailey. Testament to Valleri's vengeance had been erected in its centre, diligently shunned by men and beasts alike. Jubilant crows congregated at its foot in anticipation of the feast to come. Above them the stripped and bloodied forms of men were impaled on spikes. I recognized their faces, contorted in expressions of excruciating pain, as those of the soldiers who had belonged to Averi's hunting party so many seasons ago. But their officer was not among them. A few of the bodies still twitched. Valleri's justice had been swift and merciless.

  Beside me Naren pretended not to notice, but not even the hindrance of his helm could conceal the fear that drained the colour from his face. I would bet death and martyrdom did not seem so appealing to the Crusaders now. If they failed in their mission they would share a similar fate.

  Glancing at Ginger, I tried to gauge his reaction. He seemed more disturbed by the number of Shouda prowling the grounds. Apparently his faith in Owyn's expertise was not absolute. His gaze constantly strayed to his gauntleted hand, as if to reassure himself of the talisman's presence beneath the layers of leather and steel. He had every right to be apprehensive. The mage would forever bear a set of jagged scars as reminders of the wound inflicted by the Shouda's powerful jaws, a wound I knew caused intermittent pain, although he never spoke of it to me.

  We had barely drawn to a halt when Valleri appeared. Saxton vaulted from his horse and doffed his helm. Dropping to a knee, he bowed his head. “Milord, I've delivered the Princess Kathedra as ordered."

  "As I can see.” Valleri gestured the young captain to rise. “What took you so long?"

  Saxton rose with a carefully feigned expression of embarrassment. “My apologies, milord. But the princess refused to come peacefully. She made several attempts to escape our custody."

  Valleri's gaze sharpened. “I trust she is unharmed?"

  "Aye, milord. As you instructed."

  At Valleri's dismissal, Saxton and his fellow Crusaders headed for the stables. I felt Ginger's eyes boring into my back in silent warning. Belvemar would arrive with reinforcements tonight. I had only to hold my own with Valleri for a few hours.

  Val looked expectantly at me. “Welcome home, Kathedra."

  Dismounting, I sniffed, “It's hardly the glorious homecoming I envisioned, being dragged back to Gryphon under the banner of my enemies."

  "Enemies? They are allies, loyal to you."

  "Loyal to you,” I snapped. “There's a difference."

  Valleri chose to ignore that. He seemed about to embrace me, but upon glimpsing my expression thought wiser of it. He fashioned a tentative smile. “How's our dear old friend Sestus?"

  His casual reference angered me. “He was gravely injured in your attack on Idyll. He could well be crippled for life, thanks to you."

  He frowned at the accusation, appearing genuinely distressed by the news, as well he should. As a child Val had been just as fond as I of Sestus. But he would not rise to the bait, seemingly loathe to instigate an argument with me. “I'm sorry to hear that. A regrettable mishap. But he shouldn't have stood against me. I would have gladly spared him, otherwise."

  I stared at him, trying to measure his sincerity. He was in high good cheer, almost chipper, no trace of his previous enmity evident. He behaved as if nothing had happened to tarnish our rapport. His eyes watched me with that worshipful look of a lost puppy that's found a friend, his manner more attentive and courteous than I could remember.

  As he took my elbow to escort me from the bailey I snatched it away. “Lead on. I shall follow."

  "As you wish."

  Valleri waved an arm at his gruesome monument, scattering the crows with irate squawks. “Would you care to greet our friends?” he asked in the most conversational of tones.

  I averted my gaze. “Valleri, you know I cannot stomach cruelty."

  "Cruelty?” He laughed, incredulous. “What exactly would you call what they inflicted upon you?"

  "Their attack on me was savage and cowardly, yes,” I admitted. “Nevertheless, I cannot sanction this barbarism. They should pay for their crimes, I agree. All this time I've fantasized about their punishment, but I'd wanted them alive, or at least cognizant of it. This is not justice, Valleri. This is torture."

  "It's nothing less than the whoresons deserve,” he hissed, glaring up at the unconscious men. “I promised you restitution and I delivered."

  A shudder of revulsion shook me. “That's the whole point. It wasn't your decision to make. I was the one abused and demeaned. Vengeance was mine to take and you deprived me of it."

  Valleri actually had the gall to look hurt by my rebuke.

  "End it, Val. Please. Do so for me."

  "I don't know why it matters,” he grumbled. “They're nearly dead already. I promise you may have Averi all to yourself once he is apprehended. He's a canny—"

  "Valleri!"

  "Oh, all right.” His attitude had become that of a spoiled child, miffed because someone had ruined his fun. He signalled to his sentries, who put a swift end to the torture.

  Recovering his equilibrium, Valleri said cheerfully, “I have a special treat awaiting you in the dungeons if you'd care to take a tour. No doubt you're anxious to see some of your old friends."

  A chill crawled up my spine. Gryphon's dungeons are my least favourite place in the whole world. “Friends?"

  "Why, yes. You know, friends like Grezalia and Lesuperis. I assure you, all of those who were ever cruel or spiteful to you now live to regret their disrespect."

  I cringed, in dread of the cold and ruthless creature he'd become. “You promised not to harm Lesuperis."

  "I promised not t
o kill him,” Valleri reminded me.

  "You also promised to let the Crusaders go free. Will you honour that promise in the same manner?"

  He seemed genuinely offended. “Of course I will honour it, though it goes against my better judgment.” Then his expression hardened as the darkest of suspicions crept into his twisted mind. “Could it be you are merely concerned for your Umagi lover?"

  I'd wondered when he would bring that up. I held his stormy glance, filled with remorse at all that had fallen between us. “Val, I'm sorry. It really wasn't my intention to hurt you. It just happened. Whatever lies between you and Ginger can still be resolved. Extend the truce. Invite him to par—"

  He whirled on me, eyes glittering with rage or malice or both. “Never. There can be no truce between us. Mention his name to me no more. The Ginger I knew died at Idyll over a decade ago."

  Though there was more I might say, I held my tongue.

  As we entered the castle proper, servants and guards alike greeted me warmly, with an extravagance of curtsies, bows. The unaccustomed adulation shocked me. Neither my earlier incarnations as the Princess Kathedra nor the Gryphon Highlord had ever evoked so elaborate a display.

  Valleri seemed pleased, exhibiting no sign of jealousy at the favourable response I'd received. “Aren't you glad to be home, Kathedra? See? Everyone is delighted to welcome you back. This show of affection is all for you."

  I remained wary. “How do I know this show is not all for you?"

  "I've already told you,” he sighed wearily. “I don't covet your throne."

  A snort of derision slipped out. “You stole my command, Valleri. You conspired with my own uncle against me. Why should I believe anything you say?"

  "I did not set out specifically to seize your command. It was all part of my plan to win you Thylana's throne. I want only to please you, Kathedra."

  "Is this how you think to please me? By lying, deceiving, stealing, killing?"

  "You wouldn't take steps yourself. You needed someone to act for you. You need me still, to safeguard your rule and put things in order. Once you're ready, I'll gladly place the royal sceptre in your hands. Then you will thank me."

  "You expect me to believe you've done all this out of the goodness of your heart, just so you can present it to me like a boxed and beribboned gift? Why? To earn my approval? My love?"

  "You act like I've done something wrong."

  "You bloody well have!"

  He turned smug. “By doing what? Let's see ... I crushed the Crusaders, I supplanted the tyrant Bertrand, and I'm about to put the rightful heir on the throne."

  "Is that really how you see yourself?” I cried, astonished by his unapologetic arrogance. “As a hero?"

  "Really, Kathedra. You make me sound like a rogue. Once Bertrand is gone, you will be crowned queen. Then all the people of Thylana will flock to Castle Gryphon to witness your coronation. We'll have a grand celebration in your honour, with feasting and drinking and merriment. Then ... we can be married."

  Naturally. That only made sense, along with the rest of it.

  I fell quiet, studying the faces we passed, finding something hidden beneath their masks of jubilance and warmth, something like a silent plea for help. Oh, yes, they were happy to have me home again. They saw my presence as deliverance from the madman who ruled this place.

  "I have chosen to forgive your indiscretion,” Valleri continued. “After all, you were vulnerable and lonely. It would have taken the mage little effort to bewitch you."

  "That's gracious of you."

  He was so wrapped up in himself he didn't notice my sarcasm.

  We came to a stop outside Valleri's private rooms. “I apologize that you cannot have your own apartments but they are otherwise occupied."

  He referred, of course, to the deposed regent, who had sought refuge in my tower. “I want to see Uncle."

  "I'm afraid that's not possible. Bertrand isn't receiving visitors at the present. Trust me when I say he is unharmed. A little hungry perhaps, but unharmed."

  "I want to see for myself."

  "We'll discuss it later.” He gestured me inside. When I declined to move, he took my arm and firmly guided me into the inner chamber. “Don't be stubborn, Kathedra."

  Though I did not mistake his conduct for anything less than coercion, I did not feel physically threatened. Valleri had never manhandled me before, never touched me with violence in his hand. He manipulated with a fleshly glamour Ginger had never thought to try, employing misty eyes, velvet gloves, and silken words, all weapons for which I'd never had any defence.

  Val did not immediately release me. He kicked the door shut with his heel and pressed closer, compelling me to back up against the nearest wall. “Later, when you've had time to adjust, you'll see how right I am.” He flashed me his most winsome grin and caressed my cheek. “Tonight, you and I will honour your homecoming with a private celebration. In the meantime, I'll have Cook bring you some hot food. You must be famished. How are you managing your Teki powers? Well, I trust."

  "Yes, very well, in fact. I've made some progress, with Sestus's help. Speaking of which, I'd like—"

  But he wasn't really interested, merely being polite. “That's good news to hear, Kathedra. You can take comfort in the knowledge that I've ordered the Shouda caged, to be eventually destroyed, so there won't be any unfortunate mishaps."

  That startled me. “You trust me?"

  "Of course. If all goes according to my plan, you shall be queen by the end of the night. Why would you want to jeopardize that?"

  It seemed our plans were the same, though they would be achieved by different means.

  As Valleri stepped out the door, two sentries materialized. “A precaution is all. There's no telling what foul temper Bertrand might take once he learns you still live. He's quite mad, you know."

  The door swung closed with an ominous thud and a bar slid into place. My mad Uncle like hell. In spite of his attempts at mollification, Valleri did not trust me to submit meekly to his will.

  Relieved by his departure I sank down onto the bed, one I had shared with Valleri on so many occasions. It was as I'd feared. My Teki blood flowed serene and content, as treacherous as my heart. The sight of Val conjured no ill thoughts of hate or vengeance in me. Even the words he spoke could not move me to want him to come to any harm. And the terrifying thought occurred What if I feel nothing for him at all? But that was wrong. I did feel something for Val that I think was pity.

  Sitting there on the bed, I tried to fathom this demon that had so impudently taken possession of Valleri's body. I sensed Val's mental fragility, the brittleness of his emotions, which could snap at any time. It seemed that two distinct personalities warred inside him, one sedate and virtuous, the other malicious and out of control. His mood fluctuated inside a broad spectrum of conflicting emotions, all within the blink of an eye. He was attentive and blithe one moment, hostile and terse the next. Actually, when compared to Valleri, Ginger's quite sane.

  He had changed so much since last I'd seen him. Could it be his obsession with the throne had grown to such monstrous proportions it had devoured all rational thought? Or did it all hinge on the past events at Idyll. He seemed driven by his hatred for his Uncle, which was triggered by the slightest affront.

  The squeal of hinges interrupted my musings as a sentry opened the door. I looked up, expecting to see Cook, but it was Saxton who entered.

  Before the door closed behind him, I saw six Crusaders disguised as mercs outside in the corridor.

  I got to my feet, seized by a feeling of dread. It was too early for him to be here. “What's going on? What's wrong?"

  "There's been a change in plans,” he replied, his face drawn into grim lines that made him appear much older than his twenty-odd years. “Valleri senses that something's amiss; he has an uncanny instinct for stuff like that. He's decided to break with tradition and marry you tonight, before your coronation."

  "Oh, dear."

  "Yes,
highness. We have to act now. I've sent Naren out to hurry up Belvemar, but I don't think they'll get here in time."

  "Naren? Won't he be conspicuous? He might be followed."

  The captain shook his head. “He shouldn't draw any special attention. I have my troops on the walls now. There are patrols coming in all the time and couriers going out. The gate is open more than it's closed. Besides, no one questions my authority unless they wish to answer to Valleri."

  "What did Ginger have to say about this new plan?"

  "Actually, he's the one who ordered it changed."

  Oh, he did, did he?

  As we attempted to leave, however, Valleri's sentries refused to let us pass. Saxton feigned sputtering outrage. “Stand aside. I'm here to escort the princess to the Gryphon Highlord, under his direct orders."

  The guards exchanged a glance. “Milord did not speak of such to us."

  "He didn't have to. He spoke to me.” Saxton tried to shove past them but they blocked us with their pikes. Instantly, our mercs drew their swords in response.

  "Don't be foolish,” Saxton told the sentries. “You're outnumbered."

  They didn't budge. Their uncertain gazes flickered to where I stood firm in Saxton's grip. The one nearest me, a sergeant from the Royal formerly under my command, said, “We won't let you harm the princess, nor take her where she does not wish to go. Even if milord Valleri commands it."

  Vexed, Saxton roared, “I have no intention of harming her, you stupid ox!"

  In an effort to avoid bloodshed I intervened. “I think you'd best do as you are directed, gentlemen."

  The second guard stared at me. “But it's our duty to protect you, highness, to give our lives for yours. We won't—"

  Pouncing like a panther, Saxton thrust the soldier up against the wall, blade at his throat. “Where are your loyalties?” he demanded. “Do they lie with Valleri or the Princess Kathedra?"

  The guard swallowed hard but managed the retort, “Slay me dead, but we serve the princess."

  Saxton released the man and sheathed his dagger. “Then stand aside, for so do we."

  It took a moment for Saxton's remark to sink in, but once it did, the two sentries sighed in relief.