by Dawn Peers
Ross squinted, first at man, then at Quinn and Maertn, who withered under his stare. “They are new around here, and they don’t know what street they’re in, that’s for sure. Don’t worry, they don’t know what they seen, and I will make sure they don’t know what they’ve seen. Is anyone else going to pay us a visit?”
“Are you hanging around in the ports?”
“No. We’re on a ship heading out to Farn as soon as it leaves port.”
The man nodded. “I wouldn’t be expecting any further troubles, if I were you.”
Ross pinched the man at the base of his neck and shoulder, squeezing more than he should. Quinn saw the man wilt slightly, buckling under the pressure. “Then tell those men at the end of the street to put their daggers back in their belts and be somewhere else.”
The man scuttled away, glad to get away from both Ross and Quinn, though Ross was perhaps the primary antagonist of the situation.
Ross wheeled on them both. “And what you think you’re doing down here? I said look after the mercenary not go for a little excursion. Get your asses back to the front of the port now, before you get us all murdered!”
16
Bored and only half listening to the conversations around him, Eden knew what he wanted to do; it wasn’t sit here and listen to half the court drone on about themselves. Many eyes right now were on the young and eligible Lady Isabella of Yender, so Eden slipped out easily, unnoticed. He headed down stairwells, walking on and on through the bowels of the castle. The farther he went, the less adornment hung on the walls. Eventually, the embellishment disappeared, and the stone wall was left naked but for the occasional guttering torch in a sconce, lighting the way. Such was the route to the gaols. It wasn’t meant to be a pleasant walk.
Eden wanted to see his father. Shiver was huddled in his cell, and the lord looked every inch as miserable as he should. He was dirty, dishevelled, and hadn’t shaved for the week that he’d been down there. Eden was surprised, though it made sense that he wouldn’t be afforded all the luxuries of the nobles that were staying in the quarters upstairs. Otherwise, what would be the point?
“Hello father.”
Shiver shot up at seeing his youngest son standing at the small window in the thick door that barred him in. “Eden? You came to see me?”
“Of course I did father. Why wouldn’t I?”
“It’s just… River hasn’t come to see me either; only Rowan has so far. I thought…” Shiver’s voice cracked in his throat. “I thought that you were both ashamed of me.”
Eden thought on this, wanting to word his reply carefully. He was certain everything he said would get back to Rowan at some point, so he wanted to make sure that he was still firmly central and neutral in everyone’s plans. “I can’t say that I approve of what’s happened father, but I can perhaps understand why you’ve done what you’ve done. I bore the brunt of Sammah’s manipulations myself, and he is a very persuasive man. I’m sure the rest of the nobility will see that when it comes to trial, that this wasn’t your fault, and that perhaps even he used his powers against you. He must have them, surely, he’s a Sha’sekian after all. Most of them do, don’t they?”
Shiver nodded at this, thinking silent thoughts. “Yes, I’m sure you’re right. Good to see you Eden. You look well.”
Shiver squinted then, standing up and approaching the door. It was heavy oak, thick-set and knotted. It was a luxury, apparently, meaning that passers-by couldn’t casually look in and see the recumbent lord fallen from grace. Shiver glanced through the small barred gap in the door, trying to see all of his son. “That uniform looks very familiar Eden, what have I missed?”
“Ross has gone to Sha’sek father. The king made me chamberlain.”
A malicious grin spread across Shiver’s features, made all the more malevolent by his decrepit state. “The chamberlain? My my, Eden, haven’t you done well?”
“I’m just doing my duty father, like any of your sons would.”
Shiver straightened a little at that comment, pushing up against his door. There were guards down the end of the corridor. Not as close as usual; bribed, perhaps. But Eden’s words had been neutral, and could easily be construed as saying the right things around the right people. Shiver hadn’t been so cautious. There was a good reason for him being behind the door.
“Why isn’t your older brother with you?”
“He’s been busy building bridges around court, father. I’m sure he’ll be here to see you soon.”
“What about River?”
Eden thought about it. He his other brother in days, but he’d been so wrapped up in his new duties, that Eden hadn’t paid much heed to anything else. “I really don’t know, father. I think, to be blunt, he’s overwhelmed with everything that’s gone on. Rowan said as much to me, and I think River could do well by being sent home.”
“Does the boy need his mother? He’s old enough to be married; he should be well past the wet nurse by now. You see now, why I made you my captain, and not him? But here, you can’t even be that now, can you? Has Rowan picked anyone else?”
“Harn has been made captain in my stead. He’s a loyal man, and will do well. I may have made the king an oath, father, but my loyalty is still to Sevenspells.” Eden was careful to say Sevenspells and not Shiver.
“I know you are, Eden, I know. By the spirits, your being born last is a cruel joke. Still, it warms my heart the king hasn’t completely let Sevenspells go. I have a chance of getting out of this yet.”
“You’ve got more than chance father. Remember, I was the one looking into the Satori and what Sammah was really up to. He had no intention of giving you anything, of helping you with anything. Sammah was using you to get to the throne, and as soon as he had it, he would have killed you soon as look at you. Look at what he did to Alec. And to his consort. Sammah was not your ally, he was just using you like he used everyone else, Quinn included.”
Eden cursed himself. He had not meant to mention Quinn’s name, especially around his father. Shiver’s eyes glinted. “And your lover was the way Sammah kept you quiet. What’s happened to her, now?”
Eden dropped his gaze. “She got out of the city in time. She’s heading to Sha’sek.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t followed. You always were headstrong like that.”
“The thought had crossed my mind, father.”
“And why didn’t you?”
Eden decided to lie. “Because of my duties here. I could never marry Quinn, she is not from one of our noble houses, and she could never give us any heirs. If there is a war, you need all of your sons to be with you. I know where my duty and honour lie, my lord.”
Shiver pushed his hand out of the bars, cupping Eden’s cheek. “You’re a son of Sevenspells, that’s for sure. You have no idea what those words do for me, son, and I’ll do my best to get out of this, to restore our reputation and make our house great again.”
That wasn’t the answer Eden wanted. Shiver was already here because he wanted to push Sevenspells forward. Eden didn’t want to know just how far his father’s thirst for power stretched. Eden didn’t believe his own words, that Shiver would have been stopped when Sammah took the throne. Eden believed that Shiver would have put a knife in Sammah’s back, regardless of the consequences, to take the throne for himself. War or no war, Shiver, after all, was the only lord capable of taking on the armies of Sha’sek and winning. He wouldn’t think twice about starting another war if it meant he could get his backside on the throne.
“Be careful, Eden. The role of chamberlain is a poisoned chalice. Ross was a clever man, well-versed in the ways of the court. I’m not saying that you are not capable, but you are young. Don’t trust anyone.” Shiver’s hand tightened. “That includes your brother.”
Shiver released Eden, pushing him back slightly, and Eden was stunned. That was unexpected, as Rowan had given the impression of being fully in league with Shiver thus far. Instead of letting Eden answer, or letting him flounder
there in silence, Shiver turned his back on his son. Skulking back to the dark depths of the cell, Shiver sat down on the floor, his back against the cold flagstones. “I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here, Eden, but at least I’m alive. Remember that, and don’t let it get in the way of your duty.”
“I won’t father, I promise.”
Eden left his father then, walking out of the corridor and up a short flight of stairs. He passed more guards on the way, and they all saluted him as part of his new rank. They had perhaps not been so amiable before, when he was only a third son of Sevenspells, but now he was a man of rank, Eden was someone to be noticed. None of the guards dared to stop him, and ask him what he was about. Surely, someone would report back to the king, telling Vance just who his new chamberlain had visited. Eden would need a story for Vance if he was asked. But crossing the corridor, and descending another flight of stairs, brought Eden into another short entryway and a thick, oppressive wooden door. The corridor was just as dank as his father’s lodgings, and a sickly scent of cloves cloyed the air. Eden lifted his sleeve to his nose to diffuse the smell. He tried to speak and started coughing instead. Not the way he’d hoped to introduce himself.
“I didn’t think I’d see you down here, Eden. How are things in the land of the free?” Sammah was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the cell, and looked for all the world like he was in a relaxing room with not a care in the world. His hair was still up in an immaculate ponytail, and but for the light salting of stubble on his chin, Sammah looked for all the world like it was just another day. Eden despised him then, and it was the strongest emotion he’d ever felt towards someone; even stronger than his love for Quinn. Not just because of who he was, or what he’d done, but because there was absolutely no remorse in those eyes. Sammah was almost jovial that Eden had come, and Eden thought then that the baron was about to play him, despite the fact that Eden was the one in the position of strength. No matter where he was trapped, Sammah always thought he was the one that would win.
“That’s a fancy outfit you’ve got there. Does Ross know you’ve been stealing his clothes?”
Eden lifted his chin. “You know full well no one could steal from Ross. So you can guess precisely why I’m wearing these clothes, even without the help of the Satori.”
“Yes, I can, and I’m also trying to figure out how you grew a pair of balls so quickly, too. Is it because the big mean man from Sha’sek is behind a locked door?”
“I don’t trust you in there, and I still wouldn’t trust you if we burned you alive and scattered your ashes over the sea. I’m pretty sure you could manipulate us from beyond the grave.”
“If I’m so dangerous, why are you here to see me?”
“I had to see for myself that you were still here. No one has mentioned you since the trial. It’s as if you’d been killed, or somehow disappeared.”
Not even Vance is that stupid, though I wouldn’t put it past him. Part of me expected a dagger in the night, but it hasn’t come. I’m guessing he’s too scared to start the war…I wasn’t. But then again, a few people got in my way. I haven’t seen or heard Quinn down here. Where is she?”
“She’s safe,” Eden replied cagily.
“Safe? I don’t believe for a second King Vance would let an empath continue to rage around his court. I also don’t believe that Shiver would find out one of his sons was screwing an empath and let him continue to do so. Between them both, they should have had her killed. You look weary and perhaps sad, but you are not completely heartbroken—where is she?”
Eden was heartbroken, and he was disgusted that Sammah thought otherwise, as if a man like that knew what heartbreak was meant to feel like. He knew also though, that the baron was trying to get out of him where Quinn was. He wasn’t willing to tell him. Eden didn’t want to put Quinn anywhere in any more danger than she was already in. Leaving the silence out there though, Sammah began to fill it in himself, and he hadn’t been around the Everfell court for over fifteen years without learning just how the well-oiled wheels worked.
“So she’s not dead, and you’re not still with her, because otherwise you’d have said. That means she’s not in Everfell. But she’s not dead, therefore… She’s on her way to Sha’sek, isn’t she?”
A grin belonging on the face of the most blighted devil spread across Sammah’s greasy features. Eden punched the door, sharp pain flashing from his knuckle down through his wrist. He dropped his arm to his side, not letting the pain show. He’d already let Sammah know he was right, so he wouldn’t get the let him have the satisfaction of seeing Eden was in pain too.
“Oh what a shame. What’s the manner, didn’t she warm your bed sheets before she left? Has she gone with Maertn? A little jealous are we, chamberlain?”
“I can’t be jealous of two best friends. Maertn is more likely to get into bed with Ross than he is Quinn.”
“Whilst that is true, I don’t think you actually believe it, do you? Because you’re still a boy Eden. You’re still jealous. That’s why I could use you to get what I wanted. Do you think that being in here is going to stop me from getting what I want? Of course it won’t. The only way to stop me is by kicking me off the side of this castle with a noose around my neck, and even then they can’t stop what I’ve started. This is about more than me, it’s about more than you. You can’t see it though, neither can any of these pathetic lords around you. The only one that tried was Shiver, and he was too much of an idiot to realise what was happening to him. Now, we’ll both probably be killed, but war will still happen. I’ll still get what I want, and Everfell will be destroyed.”
“Is that what you really wanted, Sammah? Because I think you wanted the throne. You wanted Quinn, too. I’m not the only jealous one.”
Sammah roared, a disgusting laugh that Eden never wanted to hear again.
“Brave indeed now, young chamberlain! But still a boy. You see, I didn’t want Quinn. That’s the way you think. That’s the way all flawed men think; where will your sons come from next. I was thinking about the future, and the child Quinn and I could have had. It would have been unstoppable. An apath and an empath combined? A perfect being. It looks like those plans are foiled, but again, Quinn was just my side interest. She wasn’t the ultimate prize, though she was an essential part of the puzzle to get me where I needed to be.”
“In there? Yes, that looks like exactly where you need to be.”
“Like I said, Eden, this is about more than me. I’ve done enough. The king could come in here and kill me tonight himself with his bare hands, and it wouldn’t change a single thing. I can’t wait for war, so I can finally stop pointing out how everyone has been blindsided, and how you’ve all been pathetically stupid.
“Did you believe in the peace? You think that we wanted to just sit on our islands, lording over the lands, whilst my own people struggle farming fish and eking out a living in the salty waste of the islands? No. We were always coming back. We were always going to take these lands, and no one from Everfell was going to stand in our way.”
“There will always be someone who will stand in the way of people like you, Sammah, that’s the way the world works.”
“No, it’s not, Eden. The way the world works is that people with the will to make it change will succeed. Vance doesn’t want change, he wants to sit on his throne, he wants the lords to do what he says, and he wants to collect taxes. He is never going to improve things for people here. Vance doesn’t want to create new things, nor does he want to explore new places. He’s not interested in the grandchildren of his grandchildren. He is interested in what he has now. That’s why Everfell is going to lose the war.”
“Oh? And you’re interested in the greater good are you? In securing the best future for all of our people?”
“I’m interested in making a stronger future Eden. Why do you think I wanted to mate with Quinn? The people of Sha’sek have so much more than the people of Everfell, and no one in any of your kingdoms has anything to offe
r this world. Sure, there are some descendants of bastard children, half talented and half able. Some people might find that they can juggle well, or maybe swing a sword half-decently. These are scant edges; by-blows of talents that Sha’sek people have in full. You’re an inferior breed, Eden, and the Sha’sekians will turn you into dust.”
Eden went cold. Sammah was clearly insane. His voice had raised high to a fever pitch, and even his hair was starting to fray. Eden didn’t realise he was gripping the window bars then, and his knuckles turned white. The padding of feet came down the corridor, and Eden looked up to see three guards rushing towards him.
“We heard a commotion, is everything okay, my lord?”
Eden waved them down, but he suddenly felt exhausted. “Everything is fine.” He shot a look at Sammah, “The baron was just having a bit of a rant, that’s all. The senseless ramblings of a doomed man.”
The front guard heaved a sigh of relief. “Is that all? He’s been like that since he got here. I was tempted to gag him, but the guard captain told me nay.”
“That’s just as well. We don’t want to be accused of brutality when his replacement comes to court. He’s out for blood, and we don’t want to give him any excuses to levy accusations against Everfell.”
“You can’t stop it,” Sammah cackled from behind the door. “War is coming, whether you like it or not! Prepare yourself, Eden. You have a chance, because you’ve got Quinn’s heart. You’ll be able to choose the winning side, just make sure you do it at the right time.”
Eden closed his eyes, feeling pity for Sammah’s skewed view of the world around him. “You can’t bring Quinn into this, and you can’t use her against me. She’s been used her entire life, and she hates you for it. You’ve lost her forever, and with that, you’ve lost the only thing you had to help you win.”
“I didn’t need Quinn to succeed. I told you. She was just the catalyst. And I may have lost her, but so have you. She’s not here; she’s not with you. She’s on her way to Sha’sek. And if she survives the triad of mercenaries I have sent after her, she’s incredibly unlikely to ever return here.”