Pawn (The Pawn Series Book 1)

by Robin Roseau

  "I'll accept if you insist he and I are properly escorted, and by someone who can protect me if I need it."

  At that, she smiled. "Agreed."

  "Both."

  "Very well."

  She turned to the audience. "Excepting one petition that seems to have gone up in smoke, these are all accepted. Normally I would ask you to coordinate with Lady Malta, but as one of these petitions is hers, I will arrive at another name in the days to come. Now, I believe there is to be music and dancing."

  Petulance

  My feet still hurt from my earlier punishments, and so dancing did not fill me with the joy it might have normally. But there was nothing I could do about that.

  I didn't dance with everyone; that would have been impossible. But I found myself dancing first with the queen, and then Juleena. I didn't speak to either of them beyond the minimum necessary.

  Three dances later was with Andro. He was actually more of a gentleman than I expected. "I was surprised by your petition."

  "I was surprised it wasn't the one you had burnt."

  "Were you really?"

  "Someone else had to explain the other one. I didn't know who it was. I'd heard about that, but I wasn't here." He paused for a step in the dance, and then said, "Awfully arrogant to make a petition."

  "I think my response just serves as another reason to find me offensive," I said. "They'd find my body on the rocks below my window before I'd marry him."

  "And me?" he asked.

  "You don't want me, Andro," I said. "I don't know what it is you really want."

  He didn't answer, and we finished his dance, but then he drew me to the side. It wasn't really polite to pull me out of dancing for a song, but I let him.

  "It's my mother's idea," he explained.

  "Ah. Keep going."

  "There's this girl."

  "Yes?"

  "Mother says her family is beneath ours."

  I laughed. "I am a barbarian from Garneer, Andro. I couldn't be further beneath your family and be human."

  "That's not true," he said quickly. "You are a princess." I had no answer to that. I certainly wasn't going to tell him the truth of the matter. But then he looked guilty. "I didn't manage to catch your clothing misplaced." He turned his head, looking for someone, but then turned back. "Your maid saw to that."

  "What has that to do with this?"

  "I was going to do something so terrible you'd definitely have burnt my petition."

  "In hopes your mother would accept any match you could make?" I shook my head. "I've heard better plans, Andro."

  "I'm desperate, Yallameenara," he said. "The girl won't wait forever."

  "No, I suppose she won't, but a rejection from me is hardly going to bend your mother to your will. She'll just look for someone else for you. Maybe you'd like some of my petitioners to choose from."

  "No, thank you. Yallameenara, I really like her. What am I going to do?"

  "You're asking me?" I asked. "You petition to court me but then ask me how to convince your mother to let you court a different girl?"

  His eyes grew wide, and he began to stammer.

  "Oh, relax," I said. "But I'm not the one who can help you."

  "Then who?"

  "The queen."

  "I can't ask the queen to intercede!"

  "Why not?" I asked.

  "Because I just petitioned her to let me court you."

  I laughed. "I guess you're in a pickle," I said. "Given you intended to torment me horribly, I hope you understand I'm not exactly broken up about it."

  "I didn't want to."

  "Yeah, don't lie to me. Look. Talk to your mother. Tell her you'll do your best to win my hand, but you want permission to also court this other girl. Point out you have an enormous amount of competition. Get me invited to dinner, and I'll show my barbarian upbringing to her."

  "You'd do that for me?"

  "Only for you," I said. "But you will be an absolutely perfect gentleman, because the only way you're free of your suit of me is if your mother decides I'm not a good match after all. You screw this up, and this girl is the last one your mother will let you marry."

  "I will. I promise."

  "Good. Now, you've had me long enough. Who is waiting for me?"

  * * * *

  Muranna wanted to stay the night, but I told her I needed to be alone. She looked hurt, but I didn't particularly care.

  My feet hurt, my ears still hurt, my butt hurt.

  And my pride really, really hurt.

  And while she wasn't at the top of the list with whom I was unhappy, she was number three, right behind Juleena and Ralalta. Maybe she shouldn't have ignored Juleena's orders. But she should have told me.

  Yes, I was aware of the contradiction there. But I was in a mood, and I didn't care.

  And so, I found my own way to bed. And then it was a long, long time before sleep took me, long enough for me to come to some decisions.

  I was an adult now. Theoretically, that meant I made my own decisions, like any other adult.

  And so, I made a decision.

  * * * *

  I rose early, very early. I wrote a note and left it propped on my bed. Mellara would find it in a few hours. It was addressed to the princess and was simple.

  Gone for a ride up the coast. Please cancel any commitments for me for the next week or so.

  Yallameenara

  I packed a small bag. I counted out two hundred coins from the chest I kept in my room and donned the new riding coat the princess had given to me. Then I snuck down to the stable.

  I would have liked to have been away without anyone the wiser, but of course, one of the grooms heard me.

  "A bit early," he said.

  "I was awake and wanted to go for a ride," I said. "I'll see to Zana myself."

  Neither of those was that unusual, and ten minutes later I was riding out of the palace courtyard and through the castle gate.

  I used the north gate from Marport. I was fairly certain my exit would be noticed, and so I left heading north, but at the first opportunity, I pulled Zana's nose east.

  We rode the entire day, circling widely around Marport, finally making the road south along the coast.

  And then I rode until it was late, finally stopping at an inn well south of the capital.

  And there I remained for the next week.

  * * * *

  I couldn't hide entirely, of course. I had to eat, and I had to pay the innkeeper. But when four days passed, and no one had found me, I relaxed a little and began to take my meals in the common room.

  Although I kept my hair under a bonnet and spoke to no one.

  In this fashion I went a week and a day from my birthday with no one bothering me. But it was over dinner that night, a week and a day later, that a booted foot landed on the bench beside me, a hand on my shoulder. I half jumped out of my skin, my hand diving to the knife on my belt. But then another hand grabbed my wrist, and my assailant leaned down to speak into my ear.

  "Now, now," said a familiar voice. "There's no need for that."

  "Lieutenant Keelara," I said. I relaxed my hand, although she didn't relax her grip.

  "You're not going to do anything stupid, are you?"

  "Define stupid."

  "Run. I'm not alone, after all."

  "Why would I run?" I asked. "Join me?" I gestured to the open place across the table from me. She said nothing but paused then pushed off me slightly before rounding the table to sit down.

  She wasn't dressed like the guard, although I wasn't sure she was fooling anyone. Guardsmen look like guardsmen, even when they're women. Although I suppose she could be a soldier instead. It didn't matter.

  "What can I do for you?"

  "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she asked me.

  "Eating dinner. I would think that was obvious."

  "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

  "Well, I don't know what you mean, then."

  "Why did you
run away?"

  "I'm sitting right here. What's this about running away? I didn't realize it was you, so you'll excuse me if I was willing to attempt to defend myself."

  "That's not what I meant, either!"

  "Then maybe you should stop speaking in riddles. What is it you think I've done?"

  "What are you doing here?"

  "I told you. I was hungry. It was dinner time."

  "Lady Yallameenara!" she snapped.

  "I'm answering your question, but if you're going to be rude, you can forget it."

  "Why are you here instead of at home?"

  "I decided to take a short trip."

  "You decided to take a short trip."

  "Right. I don't know what the big deal is. I'm an adult now. I thought that meant I make my own decisions. I left a note."

  "I've read your note. It was blessedly brief of details."

  "How many days before you decided to pop down and find me?"

  "Don't you mean how many minutes?" she asked.

  "And it took you eight days?"

  "No. It took three."

  "How could it possibly have taken three? Okay, fine, I didn't make it easy, but I can't have made it that hard, either."

  "We couldn't exactly ask about you and tell the entire world you were missing."

  "I wasn't missing. I knew right where I was."

  "Why did you run away?" she said almost as a cry.

  "I didn't run away. I took a little trip. Why do you keep asking the same questions?"

  She shook her head. "Well, now you're going home."

  "My trip isn't over."

  "You're right. You have the return portion, due north up the coast."

  I considered her carefully. "Let me ask you something, Lieutenant. Am I charged in any crime?"

  "No, of course not."

  "A suspect in any crime?"

  "No."

  "And I'm ten and eight now. An adult. I believe you'll remember my birthday well." I made a point of rubbing my ass. "I certainly do, and I remember your involvement, too."

  "That wasn't my idea."

  "Oh, I know whose idea it was," I said. "My point is simple. I'm an adult who is not charged with any crimes. So on what authority do you tell me where I may be?"

  "I have a direct order from the queen to haul you home. That is all the authority I need."

  "Why?"

  "What?"

  "Why did she order you to come fetch me?"

  "Because I am a lieutenant in her guard."

  "I'm not asking why she sent you. I'm asking why she sent anyone at all."

  "We gave you a week and a day to come home on your own. You clearly don't intend to do so. She grew impatient."

  "I'd have come home eventually," I said. "My note said I would. Tell the queen I'll be home when my money runs out. I only brought two hundred crowns. It won't last all that long."

  "Finish your dinner and promise to behave, and then we're leaving."

  "No."

  Her eyes narrowed. "You will do what you are told."

  "I'm an adult, and I don't answer to you or anyone else."

  "You and I both answer to the queen, Yallameenara, and you know it!"

  "Fine," I said. "I don't believe you. Let's see this order."

  "It was verbal," she replied tightly. "Are you calling me a liar?"

  By now I was worked up. I hadn't gotten un-worked up in my week away, and I was just itching for a fight. But there was no way she was lying about anything, and there was no way I was going to accuse her of it.

  And so I did what any petulant girl would do, even if she were ten and eight and legally an adult. I stuck my tongue out at her then bowed my head to my dinner.

  She didn't say another word until I had finished my dinner. I made to get up at that point, but she quickly reached across the table and grabbed both my wrists, pinning them to the table between us.

  "What?" I asked sharply.

  "You are going to promise to behave," she said. "Or else."

  "Or else, what?" I asked.

  "Or else I will throw you over my shoulder, tie your wrists, and toss you face down over Zana's back for the ride home."

  "You wouldn't!"

  "Whom do you think the queen screamed at every day until we found you, Yallameenara? You damned well better believe I would. There is no way I'm going back to her and telling her I lost you."

  She was angry. I hadn't realized how angry. "Fine," I said. "I will allow you to escort me to the queen. I will make no effort to evade you. But I didn't do anything wrong, and I don't deserve being treated as if I had. Now let go."

  "You promise," she relied.

  "I promise," I said. "But I'm not apologizing for a thing, so if you think you're due one, that's too bad."

  She stared at me a moment longer before releasing my wrists. I pulled them away and rubbed them a minute. Then I just couldn't help it. "Did you enjoy hurting me on my birthday, Lieutenant? Did you enjoy bringing tears to my eyes? Did you enjoy hurting me just now?"

  I didn't wait for an answer but turned my back and looked for the innkeeper so I could settle my bill.

  * * * *

  She was right. She wasn't alone. There were five of them total, two guarding Zana and two more guarding the inn itself. I didn't exchange a word with any of them, but I let them surround me and then turn us north.

  I was somewhat surprised Keelara didn't try to lead Zana. Instead, I had the reins, and while I couldn't have beaten any of them in a straight race, it was a long way back to Marport, and eluding them wouldn't have been that difficult. Or maybe I had an over-inflated view of my abilities. But still, I wouldn't have taken the same risk if the situation were reversed.

  Maybe she trusted my promise. I'm not sure I would have taken that risk, either.

  Keelara rode ahead for a while, but after a couple of miles she dropped back to ride beside me. I glanced at her but said nothing.

  "I didn't enjoy hurting you," she said. "Is that why you ran away?"

  "I'm an adult," I replied. "I didn't run away. I wanted some time alone. I don't have any particular responsibilities I was shirking, so I don't know what the problem is."

  "You aren't that stupid, Yallameenara."

  "Since when don't you call me 'Lady'? I asked.

  She stilled, then asked even more quietly. "You're right, Lady Yallameenara. Are you offended?"

  "Yes, I'm offended. You put me over your knee and beat my backside in open court! I'd have ridden further, but I still hurt two days later, and I didn't want any more time in the saddle. A daughter of the horse people who can't sit a horse. My grandfather would be ashamed of me."

  "Well, if you didn't run further, at least it did some good."

  I didn't answer that, but she was doing a good job undoing everything a week and a day of being away had done. "This road is hard on Zana," I said. "Try to keep up." Then I pulled off the paved portion of the road and clicked Zana into a ground-eating trot.

  Keelara didn't try to stop me.

  * * * *

  It was late when we got back. Even Zana was happy to reach the stable, but if I hadn't sped us up, we'd have had to spend the night somewhere. Maybe I shouldn't have been in a hurry after all. But at least I hadn't had to talk to Keelara any further.

  "The grooms will see to your mount," Keelara said.

  "I'll take care of her myself," I replied.

  "We are not leaving the queen waiting while you tend to your horse."

  I turned to her. "Were you going to call for a trot?"

  She tried to stare me down but eventually said, "No."

  "Then we're back a half day sooner than expected, and the queen is probably long asleep." I turned to Zana and began working on her saddle.

  But then Keelara was beside me, her hands on mine. "Leave Zana to the grooms, Lady Yallameenara, or I swear, I will drag you through the castle."

  I released my horse but turned to the lieutenant. "I once thought we were friends of a sort.
I was wrong."

  And then I stepped past her.

  * * * *

  Whether Ralalta had been awake or not, she and Juleena were waiting by the time we reached her chambers, me and my honor guard of Keelara and three others. We reached the door, and Keelara took my knife before we stepped past the two waiting guards and into the queen's chamber.

  "You think I'm going to attack her?" I hissed. "You, maybe."

  "You're not acting rationally, Lady Yallameenara," Keelara said dispassionately. "I'm not taking chances you'll do anything else as stupid as you've done so far."

  "Every one of you overreacted," I said. "And continue to do so."

  "I thought we could predict your behavior. I was wrong. Get over it."

  "Fine." I stepped past her, but she grabbed my arm, and so I was presented to the queen with my arm clutched in her lieutenant's grasp, which only served to increase my ire.

  One of the other guards announced us, and so we stepped in without a word. Ralalta was seated in a chair with Juleena standing by the windows, but the princess turned to face me, her arms folded, as we stepped in.

  Keelara didn't release my arm. But that meant I wasn't free to curtsey, either, so maybe that wasn't all bad.

  The queen looked at me for a while. Then, without moving her gaze, she asked, "Was she any trouble?"

  "Words only," Keelara said.

  "There must have been more than words," Ralalta said. Her eyes dropped to the way Keelara was holding me.

  I think it took a real effort on the lieutenant's part, but I felt her grasp relax slowly. Finally she released me entirely, but I thought she remained worried I'd do something "stupid", as she called it, and she didn't move away. I shook myself around a little and rubbed my arm, and then I pointedly took a sideways step away from the lieutenant.

  I didn't curtsey. The moment was past, anyway.

  "Well," Ralalta said eventually. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

  "Are you talking to me this time, Your Majesty?" I asked.

  "Yes, I'm talking to you."

  "Then I don't understand the question."

  "I would like to know why you took off in the dark of the night."

  "It was nearly dawn," I said. "And I left a note."

  "Answer my question," she said sternly, not quite yelling.

  "I don't understand what I did wrong. I thought I was declared an adult, and I thought one of the rights of an adult is to come and go as she pleases. I left a note!"