Corim shrugged. “I had taken a fancy to elf lady at one time, and thought I should learn a bit more than hearsay.”
“Another lady friend?” Bannor responded with a raised eyebrow.
Corim sighed, face coloring. “I assure you that the truth is rather different than appearances would suggest.”
“I bet,” Wren rolled her eyes.
He heard hard heels coming quickly up the walk. He knew it was Sarai even before she turned the corner into the yard. “Bannor?”
Sarai stepped through the gate dressed in green button down surcoat with T’Evagduran crest over the left breast. Her silvery-blonde hair was tied back into a braid. Her face was not powdered or made up the way it might be for court so she obviously wasn’t on her way to do anything official. She did have a sword on her side and dagger-sheaths strapped to either thigh. Three articles of apparel considered in bad-taste when worn openly when not dressed in military regalia.
“Here Star,” he answered her, waving.
Sarai was moving fast, but slowed at the sight of strangers. Her violet eyes widened. She looked around at the new faces. “Pardons.” She focused on Bannor. “What’s going on? I was roused and told to not to go out unarmed.”
He drew a breath. “Your mother told us that assassins tried to enter the compound.”
The princess’ jaw dropped. Her hand went to the hilt of the sword on her hip. “What?”
“Yes,” Wren put in. “Your mother is leading a contingent combing for them now.”
“Damn,” She put hands on hips. “Why didn’t they tell me? Was anyone hurt?”
“Kalindinai was vague, a few servants,” Bannor answered. “I think they didn’t tell you because of suspicion. For all they knew, it was me—or one of my friends.”
“That’s silly,” Sarai said. “Mother would never suspect you.”
“Her brother would though, and a lot of the nobles…” Bannor stopped. “Bertrand.” He looked at Wren and raised a finger. “He wanted to see me yesterday. Interesting.”
Wren shook her head. “Now, that’s a leap, Bannor.”
“What are you talking about?” Sarai said, still obviously flustered.
He frowned. What if Bertrand was trying to get him implicated in something? From what he’d sensed from the queen’s brother, it certainly wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. He would feel he was doing his sister and niece a favor. He focused on Sarai’s eyes, stepped to her and pulled her close. The princess came at his pull but remained stiff. “Nothing probably,” he told her.
“So,” Sarai said, features still tight and brow furrowed. “Perhaps you’ll introduce me to these people.”
He gestured to the burly warrior. “This is Corim Vale.” The man nodded and Sarai acknowledged him. He leaned to the Baronian. “This is lady Senalloy Corresont.” The silver haired woman nodded. “And lady Dulcere Starbinder.” The Kriar dipped her head.
“Friends, this, as you no doubt gathered, is Sarai.”
“These are Janai’s new guests?” Sarai asked.
He nodded.
She looked back toward the gate. “I should go find Mother, but I know if I try to get involved, she’ll just scold me for interfering.” She made a growling sound and let out a breath. She looked back to everyone. “So, what were you all doing here, might I ask?”
“Just martial practice,” Wren responded with a shrug. “At least, I was.”
“Practice?” Sarai frowned. “I can never get this laggard to practice with me. One of his little known talents is his mastery of excuses.”
He sniffed. “I just don’t like the idea of fighting against you is all.”
“Your husband-to-be is quite good,” Senalloy chimed in. “His skills are excellent considering his training.”
“I know,” Sarai said, voice dropping, tilting her head so she looked up at him through her long lashes. “He would be a master if he just practiced.”
Wren laughed. “That’s what we said.”
Sarai turned her head, her attention centering on Dulcere. “Lady Dulcere was it?”
The Kriar nodded.
“Pardon my saying, but you have the most fascinating eyes…” Her voice trailed off.
The gold woman smiled. “Thank you. It is a trait of my people, the Kriar.”
“Kriar?” Sarai repeated. “I have never heard of them.”
“They aren’t from Titaan,” Wren put in.
“I assume Lady Senalloy is not from Titaan, either.”
Senalloy shook her head. “Born between the stars actually,” the Baronian responded.
“At least Master Corim is from Titaan,” Sarai said. “I’ve seen him in tournament. I’m certain there must be quite a story as to how the three of you got together.”
“A long one,” Corim responded with a laugh.
“Ah, then favor me with it over breakfast,” Sarai responded. “All of you, join us in our chambers? I’ll have word sent to my sisters to join us. The royal guard will want us in one location at any rate.”
Corim bowed. “Delighted, Milady.”
“Certainly,” Senalloy responded.
“A welcome invitation,” Dulcere answered.
“Sure,” Wren responded. “I need to check on my parents first though, they’re outsiders too.”
Sarai nodded. “Wise.” Wren turned to go, but stopped when Sarai broke away from him and took the blonde savant’s arm. The woman looked back. “Be careful,” Sarai told her. “Watch your back…”
* * *
Chapter Twelve
Gathering of Heroes
« ^ »
I don’t know why, but the moment I met Euriel Kergatha I knew we could be friends. I probably knew before then, because I found her daughter to be exactly the kind of woman I relate well to; aggressive, independent, and strong-willed. Euriel is the epitome of a woman who can balance the roles of warrior, mother, and wife and make it look easy.
—Senalloy Moirae Corresont
Malbraion hall hummed with activity, servants scrambling to accommodate the large number of guests on short notice. Wren had returned with both of her parents and a young man Bannor had not yet met. He knew immediately though that this was the blonde savant’s brother, the family resemblance was strong. The thing that he hadn’t been prepared for was that he too was a savant. Janai came bringing Daena, Ziedra, and her husband Radian. Laramis and Irodee showed up leading their already adult-sized six-summer old daughter, Marta. Last to appear was the eldest T’Evagduran sister, Ryelle. Long pale hair pulled back from her face with diamond combs, the first princess entered with only a slight pause at the top of the stairs, amber eyes widening. As always, the eldest sister was immaculate, every bit of pale blue cloth and each piece of jewelry precisely placed for best effect.
As Ryelle entered, the group already sixteen strong, had gathered in the conference circle, and introductions were being traded as new friends were introduced to old ones.
Bannor shook hands with Laramis and traded thumps on the shoulder. The justicar of Ukko was looking hardy and hail, well rested from three score-days off from a life of adventure spent focusing on raising his daughter. Dark haired and spindly, Marta was gazing around at all the people with wide eyes.
Irodee, Euriel, and Vanidaar had a reunion with Ziedra who was introducing her husband Radian to them.
Dulcere, Senalloy, and Corim sat together a little off from the others observing the gathering and being cordial to the people as they were introduced around.
“Rye!” Sarai greeted, climbing up the stairs to take the hand of her obviously hesitating sister. “Come, come. Join us; many new faces but worthy acquaintances all.”
“Everyone,” Sarai said as they stepped down into the circle. “This is my big sister Ryelle, the calm eye of the royal storm and First Princess.”
Heads bowed and murmured courtesies came from everyone.
“Carellion’s blessing on you all,” Ryelle said in her low crystalline voice. “Sister,” she said turning to
Sarai. “I must confess I had not expected such a gathering. However, that does not mean we won’t advantage the opportunity to meet you all.” She looked toward Janai. “Jan, know you of the furor in Prime Hall?”
Janai, who was all already snuggled back on the comfortable divans with her feet up on a cushion, gestured to an empty spot next to her. “Indeed Sister, I do. Would you believe that Mother inquired of me as though I might have had something to do with it?” She gestured toward Senalloy. “I understand Lady Senalloy was confronted and asked to do a blood sooth in order to exonerate herself.”
“Actually, I do not believe anyone was spared,” Euriel said. “Daar and I were officially inquired of, even Laramis was sooth questioned. Your mother is leaving no stone unturned.”
Ryelle stepped further into the circle. She dipped her head. “I’m certain mother is simply being thorough because of her and Father’s long absence. The disappearance shook confidence in house T’Evagduran. This crisis could potentially hurt us more if it is not perceived to be handled correctly.” She looked around the group. “No offense to anyone here, but we have recently had so many outlanders. It makes the nobility nervous.”
“Is there any speculation yet as to what the attackers were after?” Bannor asked.
Ryelle pressed her lips together, amber eyes going dim for a moment. “That is the troubling thing. Neither Mother nor Father, or the high guard elite have turned up anything to suggest what the target was. They were detected in the wrong part of the compound to be making an attack on either my parents or myself. In fact, unless they were horribly misguided, the attackers were well away from anything of vital importance.”
“That’s really strange,” Sarai said, stroking her throat in thought. She sighed. She gestured to the open spot beside Janai. “Sister, please, sit and be at ease. It will be a half bell yet before breakfast will be brought out.”
Wren rubbed the back of her head. “You know who’s not accounted for.” She looked over to him. “Bannor, your two dragon lady friends, what have they been up to?”
He frowned. “Tymoril and Kegari? Actually, they were here yesterday while I was out. I can’t really think they’d be involved in anything. I mean if you think about it, it doesn’t fit them. If they were going to attack or do harm they’d do so in their dragon forms. They serve Idun, and there’s nothing to gain from molesting the T’Evagdurans.”
“Aye, ‘tis a puzzling mystery,” Laramis said, cuddling his daughter on his lap. “Arminwen, are you certain there were no stores of documents or items of particular value within reach of that area?”
Ryelle took the last few steps and settled on the divan next to Janai. She sat forward on the edge however, showing no sign of relaxing. Her gaze swept over the group. “If there is, I am not aware of it.”
Senalloy leaned back with arms folded. “Might this be some kind of political tactic to do as you said, shake faith in your parents?”
“That is not beyond the realm of possibility,” Ryelle admitted. “That still leaves the question of who.”
“I told your mother,” Bannor said, “That if she cannot find these people, that I would locate them for her.”
She trained narrowed eyes on him. “You think you can?”
“Fairly certain. I just hope that your mother’s need to handle this internally doesn’t give these people too much time to cover their tracks.”
“We should probably do our own investigation,” Sarai said. “I know Bannor could find them, I’ve seen him use the Garmtur to track recently.”
Ryelle swung around and pointed a finger at her. “No. I forbid it. You must allow mother to do this investigation without interference. Do nothing to undermine that!”
“Rye, I’m not going to undermine anything, just make sure they don’t get away.”
“Sister,” Ryelle’s normally placid voice rose. She held out her hands. “Now is not the time. This is more than justice, this is politics.”
“Rye, I don’t care about politics. I care that people close to the family died. I care that those people might have meant either you, or one of our parents harm. I’m not going to let some need for appearances and salving elven egos, to prevent those killers from being caught.”
Ryelle gripped her hair, and turned to Janai. “Jan, help me.”
Janai pursed her lips. “Sar, we should have faith in mother, she is very good at what she does.”
“Yes,” Sarai said. “She also could be in danger.”
“Arminwen,” Euriel said, her voice dropping to rumbling register that demanded attention. The Baroness lowered her chin, deep blue eyes intense. “Sarai, your sister speaks to protect your family’s reputation. Do not discount its importance. At another time, I would see no harm in providing assistance. Your parents need to be perceived as being in control. Helping them, providing assistance, suggests that they are incapable of managing on their own.”
“That’s silly,” Sarai responded with a frown. “We’re a family. We have assets. It’s not a sign of weakness to use those assets.”
“Aye, Lady Euriel speaks sooth,” Laramis let out a breath. “It could be spun that they are relying on outsiders to maintain peace rather than their own forces. While we know that to be false, there are those who are less interested in the truth and more interested in change.”
“Bertrand for instance,” Bannor said.
Suddenly, he was the focus of the entire room.
He couldn’t believe he had just said that aloud.
“Bannor?” Ryelle said in cool voice, brow furrowing and hands tightening in the creases of her skirt. “Are you making an accusation? If you aren’t, I’ll thank you not to utter that where it could be heard outside of the family.”
“Sorry,” he said. “It’s just that he was here yesterday looking for me, and it’s a coincidence that this event happens the same day.”
“I admit my uncle has no fondness for you, but I do not think that dislike is such that he would commit treason. What other evidence do you have?”
“None,” he conceded. “I apologize, it just kind of popped out of my mouth.”
Ryelle drew a breath, fixing him with narrowed eyes. “Please be careful, Brother-to-be, in the citadel, words can be a powerful weapon. They are sharp and have been known to cut both ways.”
“I still think we should help mother,” Sarai said with a tight expression.
“I did not say we shouldn’t help,” Euriel said. “Just that we shouldn’t provide assistance.”
Sarai turned to the blonde elder her brow furrowing. “Aren’t they the same thing?”
Ziedra tilted her head to one side. “It’s possible to help someone without them or others being aware of it.”
Euriel grinned. “Exactly.”
Ryelle’s eyes widened. “Kidomma, I cannot believe…”
“Ryelle,” Euriel said. “Your mother and I have been friends for a long time. We’ve been through a lot together. If a dozen gods couldn’t kill us, I’ll be damned if a few mortals with political aspirations will be allowed to upset her life. There is a situation here, and a need to step carefully. I believe it’s possible for us to act and still protect reputations.”
Sarai dipped her head toward Euriel. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you. You and Bannor risked everything to get us out of that nightmare.” She put a hand on Wren’s shoulder, who smiled and reached out for her mother. Her husband Vanidaar nodded and rubbed his wife’s leg with a reassuring hand. “We owe you and your family. We have considerable talent here.” She glanced to her son Azir, to Wren and Ziedra, and to Bannor. “Not to use it when we can is a crime itself.”
“Besides, being a busy body and beating up bad guys is fun,” Daena said with a grin.
Ryelle shot the young savant a scandalized look. “Beating up bad guys?” She looked toward Janai. “What have you been teaching her sister?”
Janai put a hand to her chest with an innocent expression. “Rye, she’s a savant, I think r
ough-housing is in their blood.”
“Well, that’s not how a proper lady should act.”
Euriel chuckled. “I’m a lady, Rye, and I rather enjoy a rough and tumble now and then. Come to think, so does your mother.”
“Lady Kergatha, I believe you are something of a bad influence on her.”
The Baroness looked shocked. “Me? Perish.” She laughed. “Your mother was rather well along in her bad habits before I came along.”
Ryelle sniffed. “Perhaps. Still, I am uncomfortable with this covert action you promote. It has the potential to be even more harmful.”
“I can snoop around and nobody will know,” Daena said. “I guarantee it.”
“Leave us not get ahead of ourselves,” Laramis said. “If we choose to assist it should be with great care and with careful attention to making sure we do not cause more harm than good. That said, Irodee and I owe the T’Evagdurans for tending to Marta in our absence.” He rubbed a hand through his daughter’s hair and the girl smiled up at him. “I have license to investigate in Malan. The nobility might object to my inquiry but they can hardly expect me not to. I was in the citadel when it occurred. It’s my job.”
“As a member of Shael Dal,” Corim said. “I can move about undetected quite easily. My job, as it were, is law enforcement as well. I have some skills that would help in the investigation.”
“Radian and I have a number of things that can help.” Ziedra spoke up putting and arm around her gold-skinned husband. “Kriar eyes are a powerful magic in-and-of themselves.”
“If you please,” Senalloy said. “I would like to add something. While we are thinking about finding the enemy, we should guard against the enemy finding us—or to be specific, finding one of the princesses. The reason the attackers may not have been found yet is that they are laying in wait to capitalize on an opportunity. A good assassin is patient, willing to wait right on the doorstep of the victim.”
Ryelle tilted her head and eyed Senalloy. “You sound as if you know something of such things.”
“I had a century or so of training in assassin’s tactics, yes,” Senalloy admitted.
Reality's Plaything 3: Eternal's Agenda Page 21