Phoenix frowned. The familiar boy who had been staring at her early was there, watching her again with that same look of disbelief. Recognition dawned on her slowly as she realized who the boy was. She opened her mouth in surprise.
“Not him,” the man scoffed. “Her!”
A stunned silence fell on the group.
Phoenix turned her attention back to the group to find the man pointing a meaty finger at her.
Captain Rolf smirked. He relaxed his grip on Alexandri and took a step towards her.
A ferocious snarl erupted from Kit and she crouched in front of Phoenix. She looked terrifying, her ears flattened against her skull in a way that all familiarity of the animal had evaporated, and Phoenix felt a twinge of fear on a primal level that surprised her.
Alexandri also stepped forward, his expression shifting to the human equivalent of Kit’s predatory stare. His hand rested on the hilt of his belt knife.
The man was familiar. Slowly, as if willing her apprehension to change the man’s identity, Phoenix raised a steady gaze to her accuser. Speaker Thomas’s angry glare bore into her, his face arrested in an expression of triumph. Next to him stood Jobe, the boy who had been watching her so diligently.
Speaker Thomas pointed at her, signalling her out to everyone who was watching. “Arrest her! She’s a runaway, an’ a thief! She lied t’ remain here without consequence, an’ I demand t’ see th’ King about it!”
CHAPTER 21
Pompous ass, Phoenix heard as the progression left the main foyer. A mental snort was the only response, and Phoenix could only assume that she was privy to a conversation between two gargoyles.
Need any help with your new friends? A lazy voice asked above her. Phoenix glanced up, her eyes barely making out Rorin’s outline in the shadows, his tail a darkened grey where it intersected with the dim lighting in the rafters, peering down at the progression with interest.
A knot of dread formed in Phoenix’s stomach as the King’s meeting chambers came into view. “Don’t you dare,” she muttered at him.
“Hush your mouth, girl,” the Guardscaptain growled. “Keep moving. No need to insult us further with your disobedience.”
Phoenix pressed her lips together. She balled her fists, focusing on the burning in her palms as her nails left half-moon marks in her skin.
There was a rumble of outrage as they skipped ahead of those already waiting. “See here!” a nobleman protested, stepping forward to stop them as they passed. A single look from Captain Rolf had two guards moving to block the man’s path. Phoenix could feel the dark looks thrown at her back as they bypassed the line entirely.
The Captain nodded to his guards and they moved the line back from the entrance of the foyer, ushering Phoenix and her group into the room. One of the men guarding the chambers entrance saluted the Guardscaptain, then slipped in through the double doors to alert the King’s page of his new visitors.
The room went quiet as a well-dressed noble was escorted from the chamber and back out into the foyer. “But I wasn’t done!” he protested.
Captain Rolf smirked and grabbed Phoenix’s elbow, wrenching it as he dragged her into the meeting room. Kit snarled and launched herself at the large man, diving for the offending hand. Rolf kicked the dog aside as easily as he would swat a fly.
“Kit!” Phoenix cried. She attempted to twist out of the man’s grip, but the hand gripping her arm was too strong. “Let me go! I didn’t do anything!”
Captain Rolf dragged her behind him, but not before she saw Jobe separate himself from the group with a frown. Phoenix watched him kneel next to Kit before the door slammed shut between them.
She tried not to stumble as the Guardscaptain pushed her forward.
The meeting room was not as grand as she was expecting. A large dais was the focal point. On it, a single high-backed chair commanded the attention of the room. Intricate, carved designs wove their way around a crescent orb that sat recessed in the top of the chair back, as if paying homage to a rising moon. Before it was open space for people to bring their grievances to the King, as often happened, when there was dispute between Manors and Propers.
The King was seated in the chair - a throne really - with Malcourt standing at attention by his side. They were both watching the doorway to see what was so important that their previous meeting should be interrupted. But when Captain Rolf and Phoenix came into view, King Benedict frowned and sat up in his chair.
“Rolf,” he scowled. “What is the meaning of this?”
The Captain’s grip tightened, and Phoenix attempted once again to wrench herself free. Fueled by desperation, her Power rose to the challenge, causing her skin to turn hot to the touch against the perceived threat. Captain Rolf snarled and released her, throwing her towards the dais.
Phoenix struggled to catch her balance, stumbling a few steps before falling. Her knees barked in protest as they connected against the hard stone.
Master Malcourt was next to her instantly. He extended his hands to her and carefully helped her to her feet. “Are you all right, my dear?” he asked softly.
“Master,” she whispered, tears springing to her eyes. “I’m so sorry...”
He gave her a reassuring smile, then leveled a glare at the Guardscaptain. “Explain yourself.” Malcourt’s voice was almost unrecognizable with fury. “Now.”
“Quite right,” King Benedict’s expression was a mask of royal disapproval. “Get on with it.”
Captain Rolf bowed respectfully to the King. “Of course, Your Majesty. The presence of a thief was reported moments ago. Since the accused is someone known to you, I thought it best to bring them to you, Your Majesty, as is proper with those who actually have the Blood.”
“Rolf,” Master Malcourt said warningly.
Captain Rolf ignored him. “This... child… came to us under false pretences. She’s a thief and a run away - a common criminal. And you,” he snarled accusingly at Master Malcourt, “welcomed her with open arms.”
Master Malcourt pivoted slowly. All courteousness had disappeared from his face, his expression thunderous.
The King raised his bushy eyebrows. “Surely you don’t mean Phoenix?” His tone was of mild disbelief. “What is the proof?”
Captain Rolf bowed again. “Of course, Your Majesty. May I present Speaker Thomas of Avondale; the man who alerted me to the girl’s true identity.”
At the mention of his name, Speaker Thomas stepped forward and gave the King a well-practiced bow. “Yer Majesty,” he greeted the King. “I’m Speaker Thomas of Avondale Farm.”
“Not the Head Speaker of the Proper?” Master Malcourt’s expression was unreadable, but Phoenix knew the question was meant to rattle him.
The Speaker stiffened. “An’ who might you be?”
“Tolen Malcourt,” he said, almost amicably, inclining his head towards the man. “Mastercaller of Castle Angor; Advisor to the King.”
Speaker Thomas’s gaze flicked from the man’s face down to where he was still holding Phoenix’s hands and he swallowed audibly, visibly uncomfortable.
“The charges?” King Benedict prompted, seemingly bored with the posturing of the two men.
Speaker Thomas drew himself up. “This girl, Phoenix, used t’ live on th’ farm. Her caretaker, m’ dear friend Marla, passed on ‘bout a year ago, an’ ever since then we - th’ people o’ Avondale - took care o’ her, not askin’ fer no thing in return.”
“Tha’s a lie!” Phoenix protested, easily slipping back into the Speaker’s dialect. “I worked hard for m’ keep. T’ say other wise is dishonest!”
“Accordin’ t’ you, you did,” Speaker Thomas snorted. “What do a girl know ‘bout workin’ hard?”
“And according to you, what actually happened?” Master Malcourt slid his hands into his sleeves, his stance casual. He seemed completely unfazed by Speaker Thomas’s accusations.
Speaker Thomas took a breath, fixing Phoenix with such a look of contempt that she realized that his s
peech was just as well-practiced as his bow. “She ran wild,” he stated. “She went wherever she wanted whenever she wanted, withou’ thinkin’ ‘bout anyone else. She claims she helped wit’ th’ harvest, but it was not near enough to cover her own food supply - let alone that of her beast, or their room and board. I had t’ turn down a foaling mare ‘cause her useless crossbreed was takin’ up space!”
Phoenix felt like a blow had landed. She opened her mouth in protest, but Master Malcourt shook his head and she said nothing.
Let him talk, my dear. It’s easier for us if he gets himself into trouble. Phoenix blinked at her Master and he winked. You doubt me?
“Never,” Phoenix whispered emphatically.
“Hush,” Captain Rolf growled.
“She put on airs,” Speaker Thomas continued, not noticing the exchange, “as if she had Blood. Which she don’t. She has no one t’ vouch for her.”
He smiled self-importantly. “I knew she didn’ have nothin’ goin’ for her, Your Majesty. I knew she had no way t’ pay us back for our generosity - so I set up a deal.
“An nearby goat herder was in need of a woman to tend his home and children. I made an arrangement with him in order to secure her future, but th’ ungrateful brat ran off, leavin’ us with a pile of debt and a broken word on my part.” Speaker Thomas fixed Phoenix with a glare. “She’s nothin’ but a thief an’ troublemaker, an’ I couldn’ ignore m’ duty t’ inform you of such a person livin’ in your court, Your Majesty!”
“You mean you couldn’t ignore your duty to get what you’ve decided you’re owed,” Master Malcourt snorted.
Captain Rolf made a disagreeable noise in his throat and stepped forward. “Your Majesty,” he implored. “Could we not continue this discussion in private? If the Mastercaller is permitted to disrupt this hearing because of his misguided emotional attachment to this girl-”
Master Malcourt snapped his arm up before Captain Rolf had taken another step. His palm was flattened and facing towards the Guardscaptain so quickly that Rolf’s righteous indignation faltered.
Phoenix knew that such a gesture from a Caller was considered a very serious sign of aggression. At best it was a promise of violence. At worst...
Captain Rolf, understanding the message as Phoenix did, did not move. The entire room held its breath.
Master Malcourt turned his head, slowly, to face Speaker Thomas. “What did the Head Speaker have to say about this arrangement?”
Speaker Thomas looked deflated. “Th’ Head Speaker?”
“Yes,” Malcourt said. “What did he have to say about it?”
“’Bout wha’, exactly?” Speaker Thomas hedged.
“The arrangement.” Malcourt’s expression became exasperated. “The entire arrangement. What. Did. He. Have. To. Say.” When Speaker Thomas hesitated, Master Malcourt continued. “I presume you contacted the Proper about the arrangement, as is the law? And the fact that there was a Bloodless thief leeching off the tribute you had to send? Or the fact that she had run away before paying back what was owed? Or the fact that she was even there in the first place, so that you could properly calculate an agreed-upon debt?... Or was the debt the arrangement fee you decided to charge Phoenix for your unwanted service?”
An owl screamed a challenge from the rafters. Phoenix jerked her head upwards as Pip stretched out her massive wings, her long nails biting into the wood to keep her stationary as she flapped repeatedly. Angry. Master Malcourt had to be beyond angry for Pip to have such a display of temper.
“We launched a search party,” the Speaker began, answering Master Malcourt evasively. “The Head Speaker said that she had not come that way...”
King Benedict frowned. “If you launched no formal complaint, I fail to see what it is that you hope to accomplish here.”
“To warn you!... Your Majesty,” the Speaker added, correcting his tone.
“Your Majesty,” Captain Rolf spoke up, his eyes still on Master Malcourt’s outstretched hand.
King Benedict inclined his head. “Tolen,” he said, reminding the Mastercaller mildly of his bad manners.
Master Malcourt lowered his arm.
“Your Majesty,” Captain Rolf repeated, “the burden that the child placed upon the Speaker and his farm was his alone - not that of the Head Speaker. I’m sure that he sent his full dues to the Proper,” Rolf looked to Thomas for confirmation and the Speaker nodded, “so Speaker Thomas felt no need to trouble the Proper with a problem that he had thought he had contained. He was doing the girl a favour and she used it to ruin his reputation and word as a Speaker.”
King Benedict regarded Captain Rolf for a long moment. Long enough that the Guardscaptain shifted under the weight of his stare. “Is that so?” he asked in a mild tone.
“And did this favour involve any compensation in any form?” Malcourt asked Speaker Thomas.
Thomas’s face turned red. “Only what it was that the girl owed!”
“And you still realize that, as a mere Speaker, you are unable to enter such an arrangement without the consent of the Head Speaker if it falls within his jurisdiction?”
“She is Bloodless,” Speaker Thomas protested, his face darkening a shade. “She has no one to vouch for her.”
Master Malcourt sliced his hand through the air, the force of the gesture making the Speaker jump back. He shot Malcourt a wary look.
“I brought Phoenix to live at Castle Angor. And not only did she do me the favour of saving my life - but in doing so she also saved the life of the King.” Master Malcourt spoke quietly and calmly, effortlessly taking control of the conversation. “Since then she has built a home for herself here - not because of her title, but because of who she is as a person. She is also… the closest thing to a daughter that I have ever had. So, yes, there is someone to vouch for her - and that someone is me. As long as I am alive, she will always have a place to call home if she so chooses.”
Phoenix couldn’t stop the sudden tears that streamed down her face. It was as if a floodgate had opened up inside of her. For so long she had felt as though she were on the outside looking in, perched on the cusp of something that everyone took for granted. Now, for the first time, she was welcomed and wanted exactly for who she was.
It was as if a weight had been lifted. Phoenix pressed her chest, feeling fragile, trying to contain the growing sob that was threatening to break her open with its release.
Phoenix was barely aware of Malcourt’s arms around her, holding her tightly while she fought to get control of herself.
“Sorry to spring that on you in such a public setting,” he apologized against her mass of curls. “Am I in trouble?”
Phoenix laughed, the sound hitching in her throat. She wrapped her arms around Malcourt and squeezed him hard enough to make him grunt. “Absolutely,” she hiccupped.
Captain Rolf scowled and Speaker Thomas’s face turned a bright red. “Well,” he stammered, trying to find a way around that development, “tha’s now. Back then, however...” Malcourt looked at the Speaker with a stony expression and he faltered. “I mean... tha’ is t’ say... Surely Your Majesty can see m’ predicament?”
King Benedict frowned. He looked strangely foreboding, Phoenix thought, for someone who was always so pleasant. “All I can see,” he told the man, “is that you needlessly persecuted a helpless girl for your own gain. You purposely let herself get into debt - not that I’m conceding that she owes you anything, mind you, having seen her disposition for hard work, but for the sake of argument - when you knew that she had no possible manner in which to pay you back; you purposely exploited her in order to further yourself. That is what I see.”
His words had a final ring to them. Speaker Thomas’s face drained of all color. He opened his mouth but no sound came out. He looked wildly around the room and then at Phoenix.
Phoenix, remembering how nasty he had been to her back at Avondale, gave him her sweetest smile.
“Furthermore,” the King continued, “your moral sho
rtcomings aside - you broke the law. My law.”
Speaker Thomas paled visibly.
“However, having said that,” the King said musingly. A strange smile spread across his face and he all but grinned as he looked at Master Malcourt. “Hilarious, isn’t it?” the King asked the man.
“Absolutely,” Master Malcourt confirmed in a dry tone. Phoenix, who was completely lost, looked between the two men with a sense of confusion.
“Having said that,” King Benedict began again, “your deplorable behaviour is what brought Phoenix to us in the first place - and because of that I am able to sit before you now at this very moment.” The King frowned and tapped his lips as he watched the man. “So whatever will we do with you?”
Speaker Thomas was shifting uncomfortably as he stood in the middle of the floor.
Phoenix could see Captain Rolf standing at attention out of the corner of her eye, but her attention was completely wrapped up in the Speaker.
“Flogging?” Master Malcourt asked mildly. “He did break the law after all.”
“Hm,” King Benedict said, as if giving the notion some serious thought. “It gets so messy after the first fifty lashes.” He made a face of disgust, and Phoenix thought the Speaker was going to faint on the spot. “Banishment? Obviously no one who breaks the law truly wishes to live in my kingdom...”
Malcourt inclined his head to show that the King’s logic made sense. “Hefty fines, perhaps?” he asked. “To pay back what is owed to the stead - what he claims Phoenix owes - in order to show gratitude that Your Majesty was able to keep his life.”
Speaker Thomas swallowed nervously. “I have no way in which to pay...”
Master Malcourt tilted his head at the man. “Where have I heard that before?”
“Perhaps a joust!” the King said excitedly. “We haven’t had a good jousting in a while! Especially not with a commoner. They usually have to be carried out of the field, you know.”
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