Firekeeper cocked an eyebrow at him, “For silence?”
“No, to act!” Earl Kestrel calmed himself with visible ef-fort. “Bright Bay has sent an emissary escorted by a considerable armed force to our southern border, into the contested area near the twin towns of Hope and Good Crossing. King Tedric is resolved to meet with this emissary himself. Since this action will put him in great danger, the king has submitted to the request of the Great Houses that he settle the matter of his heir before he departs. From the way he kept glancing at me as he spoke, Blysse, I believe he means to choose you!”
Firekeeper flushed, her heart suddenly pounding. She thought of all she had learned to do, how much more she had learned that she could not do. And over it all, seductive as the scent of a hot game trail, was the realization that the power of a queen was all she needed to make what she could and could not do moot.
“But I cannot…” she began.
Earl Kestrel cut her off. “Of course you can. You must! If the king wishes you to be his heir, you have no choice in the matter. I shall continue to advise you, as I have ever since I rescued you from the wilderness. You will not be alone in your great responsibilities. Indeed, since you are but fifteen you must have a regent until you are nineteen. I am likely to be that person, since I am your guardian…”
He was rattling on in this fashion, Firekeeper ignoring most of his words, when Ox thumped on the door. Valet glided over and opened it.
“Someone is here with a message,” Ox announced loudly. “Says it's not written.”
“Let the messenger enter,” Earl Kestfel said grandly.
A man in castle livery came through the door, bowed deeply, and announced: “King Tedric and Queen Elexa re-quest that Lady Blysse Norwood come to their chambers one hour from now. She may be escorted as far as the door, but they wish to meet with her in private.”
Earl Kestrel was so keyed up that a fascinating mixture of emotions—delight, annoyance, fear, and finally smug satisfaction—glided unguarded across his hawk-nosed face. Firekeeper took advantage of his distraction to reply:
'Tell the king and queen that I will be there.”
Any momentary annoyance Earl Kestrel might have felt about his privilege being usurped vanished in his greater elation.
“Wonderful!” he crowed as soon as the messenger had departed and the door was secured.
He was about to say more, but Firekeeper held up a hand.
“I must get cleaned and dressed,” she said, her tones haughty. “This is most certainly a formal occasion.”
“Yes!” Earl Kestrel slapped his palms together smartly. “Absolutely. Valet! Ring for hot water. Prepare my best jacket and trousers. Ox! Find Cousin Jared. Tell him I wish him to be part of Lady Blysse's escort. He should put on his uniform and order of knighthood…”
Firekeeper escaped while Earl Kestrel was still shouting orders.
“He do,” she said to Derian, “everything but sing and spread his tail feathers.”
“This,” Derian replied, clearly a bit stunned, “is the culmination of all his plans.”
“I wonder,” Firekeeper said softly, “if it is the coming together of all of mine as well?”
GRAND DUCHESS ROSENE summoned her son and daughter to her, along with their spouses. As a matter of course, Ivon brought Elise and Zorana brought Purcel. The younger children were kept away lest they inadvertently carry gossip.
When Jet Shield arrived at the door of Rosene's suite, his demeanor that of one who expects to take part in a family conference, even the acid-tongued grand duchess could not turn him away, no matter that her expression showed that she thought he was there more likely as a spy for his grand-father than out of a desire to be near Elise at this cmcial time.
Elise was glad to have Jet there, no matter how of late she had doubted the sincerity of his affection. The glitter in her grandmother's washed-out old eyes frightened her a bit. She imagined that Grand Duke Gadman wore the same expression and wondered how King Tedric had survived to such a ripe age while the focus of so much malicious ambition.
“Tedric refused,” Rosene began snappishly, “to read us the full text of the letters bome to him by the army messenger. He said they were too long and too filled with repetition.”
Her dry sniff was commentary enough on how much she believed that! She continued:
“In essence, Bright Bay wishes to meet with someone in authority to discuss a matter that will be to the benefit of the mutual peace of our nations.”
“I thought,” commented scholarly Aksel Tmeheart, “that we were at peace.”
“Only technically,” Rosene replied with a glance at her daughter as if to say, “How do you stand him!”
Aunt Zorana, however, seemed very calm, almost unnaturally so. From a woman who had been infuriated by the reduction of her hopes for the throne, she had become so self-contained that some had wondered aloud if she was indulging heavily in drink or one of the exotic drags the New Kelvinese cultivated beneath green glass within steam-heated greenhouses hidden in the valleys of their mountainous realm.
“Although we do not have a declared state of war,” Grand Duchess Rosene continued when Zorana remained silent, “our interests continue to clash. There have been numerous skirmishes over contested territories, robberies by bandits who may well be Bright Bay raiders, and blockades of our sea-lanes by their fleet. Now, suddenly, though war is un-declared, we are being offered a means to peace. What might that be?”
Elise heard her voice speaking as if it were separate from herself. “A marriage alliance—like Jet and mine.”
“That is correct,” Rosene agreed with an approving nod. “That is also the only thing that I can see drawing Tedric out of the Security of his castle. Allister Seagleam is wed and has children of his own. Doubtless, the alliance would be between one of his children and one of Tedric's grand-nieces or nephews.”
Elise wondered if she was imagining the calculating look in Jet's eyes, as if he was recalling how easily Sapphire's engagements to various scions of Great Houses were broken when some more promising liaison became available.
His next words, the first he had spoken since making his greetings to his prospective in-laws, did nothing to reassure her.
“How old are Allister Seagleam's children?”
Aunt Zorana answered, her tone oddly caressing, “His eldest two are sons—one just your age, dear Jet, the other the same age as my Purcel. His twin daughters are quite young, younger even than my Deste.”
Elise was quite certain she didn't imagine the malicious glance Aunt Zorana shot at her brother as if to say: “See, if you hadn't been so eager to use Elise within our own kingdom, you would have had the perfect offering for King Tednc.
If Jet felt any disappointment at this news, he didn't show it. Instead he commented blandly, “My sister Opal would be just the age for either of these sons. She's three years my junior.”
To Elise's surprise—for she hadn't needed a dance card to see that Aunt Zorana's own children, if a bit young for betrothal under usual circumstances, meshed quite well with those of Allister Seagleam—Aunt Zorana only smiled blandly.
“I'm certain that Uncle Tedric will not overlook that point.”
At that moment, a sharp rap sounded on the door. Before any could rise to answer it, die heavy door flew open and Grand Duke Gadman, followed closely by Lord Redbriar, burst into the room, shoving his way past protesting guards.
“I don't suppose you've heard,” Gadman almost shouted at his sister, “closeted in here with your minions, plotting…”
“Heard what?” Rosene replied, her tones more moderated but no less forceful.
“While you have been plotting, Tedric has stolen a march. He summoned that girl Blysse Norwood to his chambers. They are to meet in less than an hour!”
Feeling curiously outside all of this, as if her own prospects and those of her father were unconcerned, Elise noted that the rivals had been united for this brief moment by an even greater threat. Only one
person's expression was less than shocked—Aunt Zorana's. She actually looked pleased, though that pleasure was mingled with a trace of apprehension.
“He can't name that foundling his heir!” Grand Duchess Rosene proclaimed. “We must protest!”
“I've already demanded to see him,” Gadman said bitterly. “He refused me.”
“Perhaps if both of us…” Rosene suggested.
“I can't see how it will hurt to try,” Gadman agreed. The two bent figures stalked forth, their heirs trailing them like an agitated flock of ducklings. Elise moved more slowly, unable to remove Aunt Zorana's strange expression from her mind.
AN HOUR WAS BARELY ENOUGH time for Firekeeper to bathe—a thing made necessary by her usual morning romp with Blind Seer—and don a gown hastily pressed by Valet.
Escorted by Elation, who soared overhead screeching loud commentary, Derian dashed out to find Holly Gardener. The old woman asked no questions as she provided flowers for Firekeeper's hair and girdle, but something in her ancient eyes told Derian that rumors had already reached the gardens.
“Wish her luck,” Holly said as she pressed the cut flowers into his hand.
“I will,” he promised. “Whatever luck is.”
There was a brief argument when Earl Kestrel, resplendently garbed in frock coat, waistcoat, and knee-breeches of the Kestrel red and blue, learned that Firekeeper planned to bring Blind Seer with her.
“He comes,” she insisted. “The king know of him and give him freedom of the castle.”
Earl Kestrel relented, muttering, “If the king wishes the wolf kept without the door, doubtless he will have left orders to that effect. Ancestors preserve me, but by now everyone in the castle must know that she won't leave the beast be-hind!”
Derian resisted adding, Just as everyone knows that the real issue here is whether or not you can dominate Firekeeper!
When they set off for the king's private chambers, the party encountered an unexpected obstacle. A milling throng of the king's relatives blocked the corridor—less intention-ally than by their mere presence. Their mood was ugly. Clearly, the king had refused to meet with them.
Upon seeing Earl Kestrel, Grand Duke Gadman snarled, “There is no way we will allow this foundling to be named heir! No matter what you say, there is no proof that you didn't just pick this girl up in some gutter, stuff her in a gown, and teach her the basic rudiments of table manners!”
Firekeeper said nothing in response, studying the grand duke as if he were merely some curious species of beetle who had crossed her path. Not all of her companions were so silent.
“Our word is not proof enough?” Sir Jared asked with dangerous dryness; his Order of the White Eagle gleamed on the breast of his Army dress uniform.
Even in his self-righteous fury, Grand Duke Gadman was reminded that Jared Surcliffe's honesty was not open to question.
“I suppose…” he hedged, fumbling for an apology that would not admit that he was ever really in the wrong. “You must agree that the girl, the circumstances… most unusual…”
“I do agree to that.” Sir Jared filled the gap followed by this weak attempt. “Certainly we can open this matter of Lady Blysse's finding to question when you find another gutter brat who lists among her peculiar assets being attended by a wolf. Now, will you let us through?”
This reminder of Blind Seer's presence parted the crowd. Theyfilteredpast in a thin stream as the Kestrel party moved forward.
Derian reflected that it was a measure of the gathered nobles’ anxiety that they had overlooked the wolf at all, for Blind Seer had grown no smaller, nor had the fangs he showed in a deliberately sarcastic yawn grown any less sharp.
Only Lady Elise walked by the Kestrel contingent with something like a friendliness in her bearing. She even reached out a hand to pat Blind Seer's grey fur.
“You look very elegant and graceful/’ she said to Fire-keeper as they passed. “Quite the lady.”
FIREKEEPER HAD FEARED that Earl Kestrel would try to inveigle himself into her meeting with King Tedric. Frequently the earl reminded her of a lesser wolf in a large pack, always trying to cut into the head wolf's share of the kill, always testing to see if this was the moment to challenge for primacy.
She was pleasantly surprised when he motioned her entourage to a halt in the hall and did not even try to press into the waiting room.
“Lady Blysse Norwood,” he announced to the officer of the King's Own standing to one side of the door, “to see His Majesty.”
“She is expected,” the officer said. “Pass through, Lady Blysse.”
No mention was made of Blind Seer and Firekeeper did not bother to ask permission. She nodded to her escort, adding a reassuring smile for Derian, who looked quite worried.
“Thank you for bringing me.”
Earl Kestrel replied, “We will wait here to escort you back when His Majesty has concluded his business.”
For all the calm formality of his words, the earl's eyes shone with anticipated glory.
Let through without question or search into a luxuriously furnished waiting area, Firekeeper went into the king's parlor.
Unlike the waiting room, it was simply furnished. A cluster of fine chairs upholstered for comfort, not for ostentation, rested on a thick mg. In the center of this loose circle was a low table set with light refreshments. Light shone in from open windows curtained with gauze against glare and insects.
From outside of one of these windows came a brief squawk that told Firekeeper that Elation was watching.
Three people awaited her: King Tedric, Queen Elexa, and a man Firekeeper recognized as someone important in the King's Own Guard. All three rose to greet her, a courtesy Firekeeper appreciated since she knew that it was not her due—would not even be her due if she were the king's heir. She accepted the gesture as it was meant, a welcome meant to put her at her ease. When bows and curtsies had been exchanged, King Tedric motioned her to a chair.
“Be comfortable, Lady Blysse, or would you prefer that I call you Firekeeper?”
“Firekeeper is what wolf call me,” she replied with singular tact—for her. “Blysse what Earl Kestrel call me. Please take your comfort.”
Queen,Elexa smiled. “Then we shall call you Firekeeper here in private, but in public, so as not to hurt Earl Kestrel's feelings, we shall refer to you as Blysse.”
In this, Firekeeper recognized the elaborate etiquette that established rank, so like and yet so unlike the groveling and playful biting used for the same purpose by a wolf pack.
“Let me present to you,” King Tedric continued, “one of my most trusted advisors, Sir Dirkin Eastbranch. By rights, Sir Dirkin should be commander of the King's Own, but his own choice has been to accept lower rank so that he will be free to follow my mostfrivolouscommand.”
“Rarely,” Sir Dirkin said in a voice that came from deep in his chest, “have Your Majesty's orders been frivolous.”
King Tedric laughed and Firekeeper sensed a longstanding joke. Dirkin Eastbranch was a tall man with chiseled features that included the squarest chin Firekeeper had ever seen. Something about his upright posture reminded Fire-keeper of a tree, a resemblance enhanced by the weathered texture of his skin. Like many soldiers, he was clean-shaven, but his brown hair was long and thick. She still had difficulty guessing human ages, but she suspected that Dirkin was older than Doc, maybe even as old as the earl.
“By now,” King Tedric said as Queen Elexa leaned for-ward to pour early-pressed cider into elegant glass goblets, “you will have heard that I plan to travel south to the border of our kingdom and Bright Bay.”
King Tedric paused to let his guest reply. Firekeeper didn't say anything, but sat looking alert and interested. She knew that Earl Kestrel was to have said nothing of the king's plans to anyone and refused, for all her occasional annoyance with her guardian, to betray his indiscretion.
After a moment, King Tedric continued, a slight smile that she might have imagined just touching his lips.<
br />
“To tell you something that I did not mention during this morning's conference—and that I would prefer did not leave this room—Allister Seagleam, my sister Caryl's only child, has requested a meeting with me.”
By now Firekeeper had- memorized the complete list of competitors for the throne and heard their various merits argued so many times that she had no trouble placing this one.
“The Pledge Child,” she said, remembering what Derian had told her, “some say the favorite of the common folk.”
This time she was certain that the king was pleased. Queen Elexa also nodded approval, saying:
“Not all our nieces and nephews would speak so openly of Duke Allister. Most seem to feel that we should deny him. What do you think?”
Firekeeper shrugged, remembered this was not an elegant reply, then shrugged again. “How can I say until I have met him?”
This won a small, quickly swallowed, chuckle from Sir Dirkin.
“That is precisely what we think,” King Tedric said. “I have prayed long and hard at the shrine to my ancestors and I have come to the conclusion that I would be betraying my father's dream if I did not at least meet with the man whose very birth is the result of my father's hopes for peace.
“However, in order to assuage my Great Houses, I have had to promise that I will not leave for such dangerous territories withoutfirstassuring that the succession is safe. They believe that in this way they will make it impossible for me to name Allister Seagleam my heir, for how can I name one heir and then denounce him or her without reason in favor of another?”
Firekeeper nodded to show that she had understood.
“So, Lady Blysse,” the king continued, “would you like to be queen?”
XIV
PRINCE NEWELL MIGHT HAVE KNOWN even before King Tedric did what news was contained in the letter sent by Queen Gustin. Whether or not this was the case, it was certainly true that he was determined to be on the spot when the representatives of the two monarchies met. This was quite critical to the fruition of his plans.
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