Covenants (v2.2)

by Lorna Freeman

  The chancellor’s face was impassive. Another gambler to avoid. “What is it that you wish us to do, Ambassador Laurel?”

  “Stop the smuggling. To this end, I wish to meet with the king and the rest of his advisors.”

  Chancellor Berle allowed a judicious frown to come over her face. “I can present you at Court—”

  “No, honored chancellor,” Laurel interrupted. “Forgive my rudeness, but there’s no time for courtly airs and graces. It must be addressed immediately.” He waved a paw towards the table behind them. “If this doesn’t stop, war will happen.”

  Sometimes, no matter how good a player you are, it’s wise to fold your hand and quit the game. The chancellor rang a bell for tea and refreshments, and settled down to an even politer version of Captain Javes’ genteel haggling with the shop owners. Finally, they agreed on Laurel meeting with King Jusson in two days.

  “I will send a servant tomorrow with the time, Ambassador Laurel,” Chancellor Berle said, finishing her tea. She smiled. “I will try to have it as early in the day as possible, to avoid any competition from the heat.”

  “I am very appreciative, honored chancellor,” Laurel said.

  Because I was there as the Faena’s liaison, protocol allowed me to share in the food. But I wasn’t about to eat while my captain and mate had to stand and watch, no matter that I last ate the previous day while they had a full breakfast that morning. However, I was hungry, and I stared at Laurel, willing him to get a move on. And got not only his return stare but one from Suiden too.

  “Have patience, Lord Rabbit,” Laurel said, setting his cup down and rising. “As soon as I prepare the staff and dragon skin, we will leave.”

  “Uh—”

  Laurel smiled. “I’d forgotten that you hadn’t eaten today.” He turned to Chancellor Berle. “Lord Rabbit has been a little under the weather.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, my lord,” the chancellor said, frowning as she realized she’d missed something. “Is it the heat?”

  “Yes, Chancellor,” I said. I rubbed my palm against my leg as it started to burn.

  After Laurel redrew the wards, I picked up the death staff and dragon skin and joined the rest of the group and waited while Chancellor Berle, who had walked with Laurel Faena to the door, finished the ceremonial small talk. The chancellor then looked at the captain. “It was nice to see you again, Your Highness. Do you have a message for the Turalian ambassador?”

  Suiden shook his head. “No, thank you, Chancellor. I am sure I will see my cousin shortly.”

  It was still morning when we left the palace wing, the sun having yet to reach its zenith. The servant awaited us with our horses.

  “That’s all right,” Suiden said. “We won’t need your escort.”

  The servant looked at the captain.

  “We’re going to stop by the garrison and I’ll have one of the soldiers take us back.”

  There’s nothing to do when a prince tells you—however politely—to bugger off, except to bugger off, and the servant bowed, handing his reins back to a groomer. As we rounded the trees back to the broadway, though, I looked back and saw him talking with someone on the steps. Startled, I first thought it was Slevoic. Then the man turned to go back in the palace, revealing a thicker frame, and the sun glinted on the silver in his light brown hair. Not the Vicious.

  Laurel waited until we were hidden by the trees before stopping. “Honored captain—or should I say Your Highness?”

  “Captain will do.”

  “I do not think it would be wise to take me to the royal barracks.” Suiden’s emerald green eyes glowed down at the Faena and in the bright sun I could once more see the clan markings on his face.

  “We aren’t going to the barracks, Sro Laurel.” Suiden urged his horse forward. “Lieutenant Rabbit is going to the mess to eat, I am going to the garrison commander’s office to see if there are any dispatches or instructions, and Trooper Jeffen will attend you while you meditate by one of the many ornamental lakes on the royal grounds.” He looked back down at Laurel. “It should only take a short while.”

  Laurel rumbled with annoyance, but my stomach growled even louder and he gave in with a short laugh. “All right. But as soon as Lord Rabbit is finished eating, we return to the embassy.”

  The captain nodded. “As you wish, Ambassador.”

  Laurel laughed again. “Right.”

  We followed the broadway back down towards the gate, until we came to an avenue that branched off. Suiden turned onto it and I could see the purple tiles of the garrison. As we approached, the sound of the breakers grew louder and I wondered what it would be like to always have it in one’s ears.

  “I grew up in a city on the sea’s edge,” Captain Suiden said. “My family’s wealth and power comes from it.”

  “The trade routes, sir?”

  Suiden actually laughed. “Not so naive, Rabbit.” We could see the blue water beyond the promontory edge. The captain looked out over it, his eyes unfocused. “There’s nothing like being at sea. The tide race and that first shuddering jolt as the sails fill and the ship lets you know she’s glad to be back where she’s queen. As she dances before the wind, singing and laughing under your bare feet, riding the waves with the dolphins leaping before her prow. Even the mighty storms where you and she together wrest fate from the ocean’s grip, and then fling it back, defiant and alive.”

  “Fiat,” I said, my voice soft.

  “Fiat,” Suiden repeated, tasting the word. “Oh, yes. Fiat.”

  Laurel had cocked his ears back to listen, while Jeff had pressed forward. Pulling even with me, Jeff took a breath, then asked, “Do you miss it, sir?” I shut my eyes, thinking that Ryson’s stupidity had spread through the entire troop.

  “Do I miss it?” Suiden sounded almost amused and I cracked one eye open. “I guess you can say that. Tell me, Rabbit. Do you miss the Border?”

  Both eyes sprang open. “Sir?”

  “Trooper Jeffen has asked if I miss the place where I was born and raised. Do you?”

  The image of my parents smiling as pale old men led me away rose up and I began to say that I couldn’t care less, but then other memories pushed it aside. The forest in its wild spring greenness. Summer swimming holes and crisp fall mornings. Winter nights, mulled cider, and traveling bards’ tales of swords and sorceries. Playing chess with Dragoness Moraina while she spoke of beginnings and endings, and how the latter were foreshadowed in the former. Honor Ash Faena’s biting humor as she let me tag along on her strides of the Weald. I had to blink to clear my suddenly blurred vision. “A little, sir.”

  “Both of you so very far from home,” Jeff said as we rounded a bend and the garrison came into full view. “And so very different from what you once thought you’d be.” He then snapped upright in the saddle as he remembered whom he was talking to. “Uhm, sir.”

  “Well, as Lieutenant Rabbit is always saying, I wanted to see the world,” Suiden said.

  Yeah, right, I thought hard, and then waited. But Suiden just smiled.

  “I am who I have always been, honored Jeff,” Laurel said, “and where I’m supposed to be. At this time, in this place, with my present company.” We reached the garrison just then, saving any of us from having to respond. While there wasn’t a guard gate, sentries stood on each side of the garrison entrance—their eyes wide as they took in the Faena. I heard pounding feet and two groomers ran up, while Laurel bowed to the captain. “I will await you by that lake.” He pointed at one down a shaded lane that had a gazebo and vine trellis with ripening grapes hanging from it. “Until then, Your Highness.” Without waiting for the captain’s reply, he walked off, leading the packhorse. After saluting, Jeff followed him.

  “It appears that Sro Laurel isn’t too happy with me because I won’t allow him time alone with you,” Suiden said, dismounting.

  “Yes, sir,” I said. I dismounted also, wondering if he’d heard Laurel’s and my conversation earlier as we left the Border emba
ssy or if he’d made a lucky guess.

  “I don’t guess,” Suiden said and, handing the reins to the groomer, walked away.

  I stared after him for a moment. Then, realizing that I was standing in the hot sun, I thrust the reins into the other groomer’s hands and hurried down the path, catching up with the captain just as he entered the garrison door.

  The last time I had been in a garrison was in Dornel, two weeks before, and that didn’t really count as we had spent most of the time under guard. I was surprised at how much the Royal Garrison felt like home. The captain led me past the sentries into the main building (I glanced up but there were no paintings on the ceiling, just a honeycomb pattern), and down a series of halls and passages on the main floor until we approached a door with more guards. At that point my stomach growled so loud that I looked down at it, half expecting to see it snarling back up at me.

  “I was going to introduce you to the commander before you ate,” Suiden said. “But by the sounds you’re giving off, he may think you have a wild animal with you.” He beckoned a passing trooper and told him to show me where the officers’ mess was. “I will come for you when I’m finished, Lieutenant. Don’t wander off.”

  The officers’ mess was empty, the morning rush being over and the midday one not yet starting. I was able to snag porridge with honey, two soft-boiled eggs, toasted bread, butter and blackberry jam, a pomegranate, something called yoghurt, and a large pot of tea. I sat down by one of the open windows (facing away from the stables) and applied myself to making it all disappear.

  “You’re Lieutenant Lord Rabbit, aren’t you?”

  I looked up to find a major looking down at me, teacup in hand. I finished chewing and swallowed before I answered.

  “Yes, sir.”

  The major sat down facing me, setting his teacup on my table. “Have you been transferred here?”

  “No, sir. I’m with my captain.”

  The major lifted his cup and took a sip, looking around. “Who adds invisibility to his no doubt many talents.”

  “He’s in a meeting, sir.”

  “I see. You’re with that magical, aren’t you?”

  I put my spoon down to answer. “We are assigned to the Border embassy, sir.”

  “I see.” The major kicked the chair next to me out from under the table and propped his feet up on it, and waited until the spoon was almost in my mouth. “It’s kind of strange, isn’t it, all that?”

  I put my spoon down again. “I wouldn’t know, sir.” My stomach rumbled, wondering why the gravy train had stopped.

  The major took another sip of tea. A fly buzzed in one window and out another, while a wave crashed loud against the promontory’s cliff. Just to make sure, I reached for one of the toast slices, buttered it, slathered it with jam, and raised it to my mouth.

  “You’re from the Border too, aren’t you?”

  I put the toast back down and folded my hands on the table. “Yes, sir.” The major went back to his tea, and I sat there while my food got cold and soggy. My palm began to itch and I scratched it.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but we have to close the mess now to get ready for lunch.” I looked away from the major to see a trooper there with apron and towel.

  “Oh, too bad, Lieutenant. If you were a captain or higher, you could stay and finish but since you’re not, you have to leave.” The major took a long sip of his tea, his eyes gleaming over the rim of the teacup at me. “And they don’t allow food outside the mess.”

  The itch spread over my entire hand. “I see.” I stared back at the major. “As my captain is meeting with the commander, I’ll just go to his office and tell them both why I had to leave the mess before I’d finished eating. Sir.” I flexed my hand a couple of times and tilted my head so that I could see the server too.

  The major lowered his cup onto the table. “Do not be insubordinate, Lieutenant.”

  “No, sir.” I flexed my hand again.

  The major said nothing for a few moments; then he smiled and stood up. “You know, I’m sure there can be an exception made for you, Lieutenant Rabbit. Stay and finish your meal.” He nodded and, moving fast, headed out the door. The server made to follow, and I grabbed him by the arm, smearing butter on his uniform.

  “A moment please, trooper.”

  “Uh, I really have to help get ready for lunch, Lieutenant—” I shoved the rest of the cold toast in my mouth and started to work on my solidified porridge. “There is no rule that lieutenants have to vacate the mess, is there?”

  “Uh—”

  “My captain is really with the commander and I will ask them both.”

  “No, sir. It was just a joke, sir.”

  I’d been hazed before and shrugged it off as a part of life in the barracks. And this was mild compared to jokes played on me in the past. Yet I wasn’t tasting anything I was shoveling in my mouth and my stomach felt leaden from anger. The trooper watched me, nervous.

  I nodded. “Dismissed.”

  He rose and went through the mess to the kitchen doors, moving so fast that he created a breeze. I finished the rest of my meal and then stared out the window, watching soldiers cross in front of it going about their business. No one came to clear the table and I moved the dishes off to the side. Soon I heard steps behind me and turned, as Captain Suiden approached. His eyes narrowed as he saw my face. “What happened, Lieutenant?”

  “Nothing, sir.”

  Suiden sat down across from me. “Nothing?”

  I scratched at my still itching palm. “Just a practical joke, sir.” Suiden was quiet, watching my fingers dig into my hand. I stopped and flexed it again, stretching it wide. The kitchen door opened and the same trooper came out, saw me, then dove back in before the door closed. I heard a muffled curse and a slight smile touched my lips.

  “Lieutenant.”

  “A major interrupted my meal, kept me from finishing, and then told me that I had to clear the mess as lieutenants weren’t allowed in here past a certain hour.” I nodded at the door. “One of the duty cooks backed him up.”

  Suiden, still looking at my hand, raised a brow. “That’s an old joke, Lieutenant, and relatively harmless.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Suiden’s eyes shifted to my face once more and he raised the other brow.

  “He was a lordling, sir.”

  “High ranking officers stationed here usually are, Lieutenant.”

  I looked out the window again and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  I heard the captain sigh. “It is like pulling teeth, Rabbit. Tell me, and that’s an order.”

  I rubbed my hand against the other. “That’s what everyone keeps foisting on me. From Jeff to Laurel to you, sir. ‘Lord Rabbit’ in a place where a lord’s idea of a good time is bullying people who daren’t fight back. And damn-all who I say I am.”

  The captain pushed back his chair and rose. “Sometimes you just don’t have a choice, Lieutenant. Or else you’ve already made it and now you have to live with the consequences.” He waited until I stood. “You’re being foolish, Rabbit, like a man who escapes a burning ship by jumping into the ocean—and then complains because it’s salty and wet.” He started for the door, then stopped, catching me in midscratch. “Though I promise you, Lieutenant, if I ever catch you being small-minded and petty, I will help you get over it fast. Whether or not there are any rocks around to guard.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  It was just before noon when we made it back to the embassy, and it was a relief to enter the house and get out of the heat. As the door shut behind us, I started towards the kitchen, thinking to get a cool drink and maybe a snack to tide me over until the midday meal.

  “Lieutenant, if I may see you and Ambassador Laurel for a moment,” Suiden said, stopping me in midstride. He turned to Jeff. “Please find Captain Javes and Groskin and tell them I need to see them immediately.” We entered the captains’ office, and I blinked. Gone were the folding table and chairs. In their place were two desks p
laced cater-cornered from each other, with large chairs behind them and smaller guest chairs in front. There were bookcases, a couple of cabinets, a low table with Suiden’s tea service on it, and potted plants echoing the greenery of the courtyard. A breeze through the open courtyard doors sent the newly hung blinds clacking.

  The hallway door opened and Javes and Groskin came in, followed by Jeff, and Suiden immediately sent him out again to stand guard in the hallway. As soon as the door closed, Suiden beckoned me to him. When I reached him, he grabbed my hand and held it up to the light coming from the glass doors. “Tell me, Sro Laurel, what is this?”

  I looked down into my open palm and my mouth fell open. I pulled away from Suiden, staggered over to a chair and sat down, still staring at my hand. Or rather what was on it. Lieutenant Groskin peered over my shoulder, then backed away fast, making signs to ward against evil. He stumbled over Javes who was coming closer to have a look himself. Groskin grabbed Javes’ sleeve and dragged him away. “No, sir, don’t!”

  Groskin gave Laurel a wild look. “What the bloody hell did you do to him?”

  “This is something between Lord Rabbit and me—” Laurel began.

  “No, it is not,” Suiden interrupted him. “I’ve told you again and again, Rabbit is mine.” His eyes were afire. “You did this under my nose, while I was watching, without saying a damn thing.”

  Under my nose too. I touched the silvery marking.

  “Will someone tell me what is going on?” Javes yanked his arm away from Groskin, walked over to where I was and took hold of my hand, looking down into it. His face changed. “Oh, I say—”

  “It isn’t a matter of who Rabbit belongs to,” Laurel said, “but of what he is.” He came up beside me and removed my hand from Javes’ grip. “This was very necessary.”