King's Folly

by Jill Williamson

  Priestess Jazlyn studied the room. “This is acceptable.” She stepped down to Inolah’s platform.

  Good. Inolah walked to her seat in the center and offered the priestess Vallah’s chair, wondering again where Nazer had sent their little girl. A beautiful man came to stand behind the priestess. He was tall and muscular with silky brown skin, thick black brows, and a flat nose. His hair was cropped short, as was the case with all men in the mother realms, and he had a Tennish slav tattoo around his neck.

  “Have you a request of my eunuch, Empress Inolah?” the priestess asked.

  A eunuch? Inolah nearly gasped to see his slit earlobes. What a shame. “No. Um, what brings you to us, Great Lady?” she asked.

  “I demand restitution on the issue of human trade. Rurekans have been buying women and girls from Tenma, some even kidnapped from our schools. The sale of females is forbidden in our realm. These crimes also violate the Ten Year Truce.”

  Nazer and his wretched noblemen were obsessed with Tennish mantics. Now they were stealing little girls? “I am grieved to hear this, Priestess. I hope my husband will help.”

  “I am no longer certain he intends to speak with me. I was forced to use magic just to enter the castle.”

  Inolah would have liked to have seen that. The conch sounded, and everyone stood. Everyone but Priestess Jazlyn, which earned her a dirty glare from several of Nazer’s concubines.

  Nazer swaggered up the steps in the center aisle, stopping when a new serving woman caught his eye. Inolah averted her gaze while he whispered in the woman’s ear but kept her head pointed in his direction so he couldn’t claim she had publicly disrespected him.

  The moment he fell into his chair at the high table, Inolah sat and attempted to make small talk with the emissary. “How was your journey, Priestess? Was the weather fine?”

  “Do not feel obligated to entertain me, Empress. I have come for one reason. I was told the emperor would address me at dinner. When will this happen?”

  “I know not,” Inolah said. “He has never conducted business during meals before.”

  “I see.” Priestess Jazlyn stood, muttering something foreign under her breath. A spell.

  Inolah steeled herself, praying that the woman’s rage would spare Ulrik.

  The priestess spoke, and her voice magnified as if there were a thousand of her, all speaking at once. “Emperor Nazer of Rurekau, my people are eager to raise the sword against yours for the abduction of our women and girls. I journeyed here in hopes of finding a peaceful solution. Will you hear my petition, or do you prefer war?”

  The room felt quiet. Inolah had never before heard anyone speak so boldly to the emperor, let alone in public.

  “Empress,” Nazer said, without looking Inolah’s way, “you will control your guest.”

  Inolah gritted her teeth. Typical that he would blame her. She bowed her head in submission and reached for the priestess’s hand, took hold, and squeezed. “Have mercy, Priestess,” she whispered. “I’ll do what I can to help your cause, but I beg you not to speak publicly again to the emperor.”

  Priestess Jazlyn’s large eyes met Inolah’s with frightening intensity. “What is that man’s hold on you?”

  “Our children. He keeps the boys from me and traded my girl in marriage, at only six years old.”

  A grunt. “You care for your offspring?”

  “They are everything to me.”

  The priestess took a deep breath and sat, studying Inolah’s pregnant belly. “In Tenma we do not raise children in family units.”

  Inolah knew all about Tennish culture. “Birthing and rearing my children has been the best experience of my life.” The mere words brought tears and made her voice crack.

  “What is so fulfilling about pain?”

  “Many of the most rewarding life experiences cause some pain,” Inolah said.

  Priestess Jazlyn hummed her understanding. “I find that true of taking evenroot. How can you help me?”

  “I can find out who is selling the girls once they enter Rurekau. You could send an assassin to end it.”

  “But if the problem comes from the throne?”

  Inolah did not care. “Send your assassins to kill whom they must.”

  The priestess chuckled. “You claim familial love yet wish your husband dead. Empress Inolah, the assurance of your investigation is not enough to satisfy me or my queen. With the emperor’s refusal to negotiate, the option to reconcile has passed. Tenma is ready to wage war.”

  Which was unsurprising. There was nothing for Inolah to do now but make sure that she and her boys were gone before the fighting began. “In that case, perhaps it is you who can help me. I and my children must leave Rurekau. Nazer keeps me confined to my chambers. This is the first time I have left in weeks.”

  The priestess raised one eyebrow. “I all but declare war on the emperor, and you want me to steal his wife and heirs too?”

  “I have lived twenty years in Rurekau,” Inolah said. “When I first saw how badly the women were treated, I tried to help. But these people do not want change. They are comfortable in their oppression. I must take my children away before their father ruins them or kills one in a fit of rage.”

  “How many of this brood do you claim?”

  Inolah looked up to the high level. “Just those two boys sitting with the emperor. Prince Ulrik and Prince Ferro.”

  Fire kindled in the priestess’s eyes. “That hairless puppy is your son?”

  “I thought that clear. Did you not hear him address me as Mother?”

  “In Tenma, all carriers are called Mother.”

  “Oh, well, Ulrik is my eldest and heir to the throne of Rurekau. Ferro is our second son.”

  The priestess laughed, delighted. “Once your husband falls, we will crush this realm easily.”

  Such words prickled Inolah. “Prince Ulrik might be young, lady, but he would not hand over the empire so easily.” She lowered her voice. “Which doesn’t matter if you will help us escape.” Let these mad realms have their gender war.

  “Prince Ulrik will not travel with me,” the priestess said. “He cannot be trusted. You must choose whether you will remain here with that wolf pup or leave with me and your other son. I shall come to your chambers tonight when I leave to see what you have decided.”

  The priestess stood and walked to the end of the platform. Her handsome eunuch followed.

  Inolah looked down at her plate of untouched food, eyes swimming with tears. Choose? How could a mother choose between her sons?

  Hinck

  Hinck was riding to Seacrest when Oli rode up beside him on his silver stallion.

  “May I accompany you?” Oli asked.

  “Of course, Your Grace.”

  Oli chuckled. “I broke your nose, Hinck. That earned you the right to call me Oli.”

  Hinck nodded, and they rode in silence for a long stretch.

  “What’s your ambition in life?” Oli asked.

  Hinck had no idea how to answer such a question. “I’m not sure.”

  “That’s fair,” Oli said. “I’m not yet two and twenty and I’m still unsure myself.”

  “Don’t you mean to be a general?” Everyone knew that.

  “That’s what my father, my mother, Janek, even the rosâr wish for me. So I suppose that will be my fate.”

  “What would you rather do, if you had your own way?” Hinck asked.

  “A warden, perhaps. I don’t like to see young people corrupted—to become slaves to one way of thinking. The young must be taught to think for themselves. To test everything. To seek the truth of life. They must gather information and weigh it carefully.”

  Hinck had never heard Oli say so much in one breath. “How does one become a slave to thought?”

  “Take me, for example,” Oli said. “I’ve always done what my father and Janek asked of me. I obey them. But if I do nothing but blindly obey my whole life, at what point do I become a man capable of making my own choices? Do yo
u ever struggle with this?”

  “Trevn orders me around to test my loyalty. He wants me to agree, but I am free to choose. I could leave his service anytime and—while he might be upset—he would still be my friend.”

  “Friend. See, that is key. I don’t believe Janek has a real friend in the world besides his garden. We are his to command, to play with. If we die or become difficult, he will replace us. Sâr Trevn is different?”

  Hinck thought about how Trevn had commanded him to infiltrate Janek’s group. It wasn’t the same, though. “He bosses me all the time, but he would never intentionally humiliate me.”

  Oli studied Hinck. “You truly wanted to befriend Janek?”

  Not ever. “I simply wondered about him.”

  “He collects people,” Oli said. “People he can use to his benefit.”

  “You are tired of being used?” Hinck asked.

  “Indeed, but I am his. I cannot escape. You can. That is why I tried to scare you away. Janek ruins lives, Hinck. Take care.”

  “I will,” Hinck said. “Thanks for the warning.”

  Oli nodded. “Race you!” He kicked his horse into a gallop and Hinck gave chase.

  They arrived at Seacrest and left their horses with the stable boy. Inside the house Timmons greeted them.

  “His Highness is still in bed this morning,” he said. “You may wait in the garden.”

  “It’s past the midday bells!” Oli said.

  “His Highness was up very late,” Timmons said.

  “With who?” Oli asked.

  “Forgive me, Your Grace, but I cannot recall all of their names.”

  “Who, Timmons?” Oli asked. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll go back and see for myself. Don’t make me tell the sâr you let me in.”

  The onesent sighed. “Lady Eudora remained behind, Your Grace.”

  Hinck’s arms pimpled.

  “Gods!” Oli yelled. “Must he bed every woman in Armania?”

  “Only the ones he wants, Your Grace,” Timmons said.

  “Well, I shall skip my visit with the sâr today,” Oli said, clearly annoyed. “Are you leaving, Hinck, or staying?”

  “Leaving,” Hinck said, feeling sick. Eudora and Janek? Five Woes!

  The pair returned to the stables and waited for the grooms to resaddle their horses.

  “Sorry this happened,” Oli said. “I know you admired her, but it’s best you know she’s a drick.”

  The word made Hinck’s cheeks burn. “There have been others?”

  “Loads. Sir Jayron, Marek Ortropp . . . half the King’s Guard, I swear. She favors men in uniform. Especially older men.”

  Hinck shuddered. “Fonu?”

  “Never Fonu, much to his indignation. She despises him.” Oli chuckled and rubbed his face. “We are not a pious family, Hinck. Are you shocked?”

  “No.”

  “You’re a terrible liar. The devastation is plain on your face. Do not fret. We will find you a nice woman. Maybe from Sarikar.”

  “I don’t want a nice woman.” Hinck had only ever wanted Eudora.

  “Be patient, then. Janek will be finished with her by the end of the week. And Eudora hates being cast off. She will be looking for someone to claim just so it appears that she was the one who moved on.”

  “You think I stand a chance?” The words sounded so pathetic, Hinck instantly wished them back.

  “Sure—well . . .” Oli looked Hinck up and down, frowned. “You’re a trifle thin. You might spend more time on the practice field. Eudora loves nothing more than a muscular arm to hang from. I’ll instruct you in technique, if you’d like.”

  “Thank you,” Hinck said. “I’d like that very much.”

  “I still think you should forget my wayward sister. You’re too good for her. But if you do manage to catch her, know it won’t last. No one holds Lady Eudora Agoros for long.”

  When Hinck returned to Castle Everton, he went directly to Queen Thallah’s apartment and Trevn’s bedchamber within. It was empty, so he had to wait until Queen Thallah went to dinner so he could sneak through her bedchamber to the secret room.

  Cadoc met him at the inner door, sword bared. Once recognition in the dim light set in, the shield nodded and let Hinck enter. Trevn sat at the desk, writing with a quill pen. Above his head and down the walls hung lines with sheets of drying parchment. Trevn didn’t look up, even when Hinck sat on the corner of the desk.

  “I rode with Oli to Seacrest this morning,” Hinck said. “Janek was still in bed. With Eudora.”

  Trevn’s head jerked up and his eyes met Hinck’s. “But she’s his cousin.”

  “Since when does that matter?” Hinck said. “People marry their cousins all the time.”

  “It matters to me,” Trevn mumbled.

  “Well, I can rest in the knowledge that you, at least, won’t chase after her,” Hinck snapped.

  Trevn frowned. “Why are you yelling?”

  “Because, as always, Your Selfishness, you miss the point. The very man who placed this ridiculous task on my shoulders has taken Lady Eudora for himself. I’ll be flogged on the pole.”

  Trevn set down his quill. “Did Oli and Janek fight?”

  “No. Apparently Lady Eudora has no honor to protect. Apparently I’m more naïve than a newborn babe to have ever found her virtuous.”

  “I heard rumors about Eudora, but I never believe rumors.”

  “Believe them where she is concerned.” Hinck took a moment to wallow in his pain. “In spite of this, Oli seems to think I can win her. He says Janek will cast her off by the end of the week.”

  “That sounds like Janek. So why the glum face?”

  “Besides the fact that Oli also says his sister prefers muscled, uniformed, older men?”

  Trevn snorted at that.

  “I thought she was honorable, Trev. She was to me like the goddess Thalassa. But she is no different than a temple prostitute or a common street whore. At least they get paid. Eudora gives herself away for nothing.”

  “I’m sorry, Hinck, I truly am. Do you want to quit? You can if you must.”

  That comment made Hinck smile. Trevn was different from Janek. “No. You didn’t send me there to make a bride of your cousin. I need to find out about the rune.”

  “Thank you, Hinck. Eudora could be the key to everything. In fact, I’ve been thinking that Lady Lebetta and Father Tomek’s deaths might be related.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Father Tomek was poisoned by magic. Drice don’t kill intentionally. Someone must have ordered them. And since drice cannot be trained, magic is the logical explanation. I think there might be a sect of the Lahavôtesh here in Everton, and that Eudora and Lilou Caridod might be adherents.”

  Magic. Secret sects. This was the making of a great tale. “Trev, I am blundering here.”

  “You’ll figure it out.”

  Hinck sighed. “Between Eudora and Janek, I’ll be lucky to live long enough to complete your quest.”

  “You must, Hinck. You are the best chance we have at figuring out any of this.”

  Inolah

  A noise outside in the hallway. The priestess must have arrived. Inolah grabbed a candlestick—in case she need to join in the fight to subdue the guards—and dropped the unlit taper on the floor. She slipped up beside the door, clutching the iron holder like a club.

  But the door opened to nothing. No, wait. A guard, sliding forward on his back, feet first. Behind him a second guard floated through the doorway, his body folded in half.

  “Who is there?” she asked.

  “I am eager to leave this place.” Priestess Jazlyn’s voice.

  Inolah could see nothing of the priestess or her men. Remarkable! “Praise Arman.”

  “This is not Arman’s doing, but mine,” the priestess said. “There is nothing my shadir cannot do. Your husband plots against me. I want to be gone before he tries anything. Have you made your choice?”

  The only choice she could. Inol
ah crouched beside her bed and heaved her bundle over her shoulder. “I am coming with you.”

  “On one condition,” the priestess said.

  Inolah’s heart dipped. “What do you want?”

  “When I returned to my chambers after dinner, the emperor had taken my belongings. I require more evenroot if we are to make it to Tenma.”

  “I cannot say where he would have stored your things,” Inolah said. “But there is an evenroot mill in the Open Quarter. Perhaps you could find some there?”

  “I hope you are right,” the priestess said. “If I lose the aid of my shadir, we will not make it far. Pasas.”

  The reality of the situation dampened Inolah’s joy at the coming escape. They might not make it! She forced herself to think positively. “Can you make me vanish as well?”

  But Inolah’s body was already fading. How strange.

  “Do you see this stone?” the priestess asked. A gray stone the size of a biscuit hung in the air, waving from side to side. “It is how you can find me.”

  “Yes,” Inolah said. “But how will you see me?”

  “It is my spell. I can see you all. Now, lead the way to your son, Empress Inolah. And go silently. We are invisible but can still be heard.”

  Inolah crept from her room and down the hallway. All was deserted until they climbed the stairs to the high level. Then she had to move carefully, slipping into the alcoves to avoid knocking into patrolling guards.

  The night bells rang just as they reached Ulrik’s new quarters. Two Igote were stationed outside. Inolah hoped the maid had been truthful when she said both boys were here. She motioned to the door, hoping the priestess could see. In seconds the Igote crumpled as invisible Protectors attacked.

  “Wait,” the priestess warned. “Both your sons are inside?”

  “Please let Ulrik come, Priestess,” Inolah said to the air, wishing she could plead directly into the woman’s eyes. “He has made mistakes, but he is a much better man than his father.”

  Silence fell in the hallway.

  “You deceived me,” the priestess said.