“Garion is dead, is he not? He was the assassin.”
“He is…was. But we found this key on him. And it fits this door. And here you are.”
It was Milisend’s turn to take a deep breath. She tossed the paring knife onto the table but Serdot kept his. “You must believe I had nothing to do with Garion,” she said. “This was all a mistake.”
“I want to believe that, Princess, I do. But…”
“What I tell you now you must not repeat to anyone,” Milisend said. “Is that clear?”
“My lord learns everything I learn, Princess.”
“Then perhaps you’ll withhold it this one time, in the interests of the kingdom. I’m to be betrothed to Lord Valient. Against my will, of course.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m a jewel thief, Serdot, trained by the best. I desired only the adventure that comes with the game, not the jewels themselves.”
“That much is known by many, thanks to Tronchet. I only care about why you’re here.”
“I came to Lord Reimvick’s quarters to search for a worthy heist. Instead I was locked in his wardrobe.”
“He caught you?”
“He didn’t see me. I hid all night.”
Serdot smiled as he sheathed his dagger. “I can see you’ve been well outfitted, but I wouldn’t say you were taught by the best. Aside from becoming trapped, you were not able to pick your way out, you need to scout your targets better, and your thievery is not the best-kept secret. More importantly, Princess, I could have wounded you gravely if not for your armor.”
“Will you let me leave now? I’m starving.”
“Of course, Princess.” Serdot regarded her closely as she made for the window. “Would you like to use the door? In your weakened condition I don’t recommend climbing out there.”
“But I…” Milisend looked down at her black leathers.
“Here,” Serdot said, going into the wardrobe and coming out with a fine silk robe. “Much too big for you, but Reimvick is going to be in too much trouble to worry about a missing robe. Everyone is at court, so you should be able to make it to your chambers unseen.”
Milisend wrapped herself in the silk. “Yes, it appears he may be in some trouble…Why did Garion’s key open Reimvick’s door?”
“That’s what I’m here to find out. It’s possible the key was meant to provide Garion access to kill Reimvick, if he was the next target. But something more nefarious seems likely.”
“If it’s helpful, Reimvick may be an alchemist. I saw a laboratory in his privy and he had a presence candle lit on this table last night when I broke in.”
Serdot reentered the wardrobe and unlocked the privy door. “My God…” he muttered, staring at the wax and herb remnants on the floor. Bits of broken glass were still strewn about and the shelving smashed.
“I didn’t see Reimvick destroy it himself,” Milisend said over his shoulder. “But I’m sure it was him. Why would he have a laboratory, then destroy it?”
Serdot crouched to the floor and dipped his finger into spilled powder to smell it. “Because he didn’t want Garion to lead us here and see it.”
“Could a man like Lord Reimvick have been involved with Garion?”
Serdot looked at her. “You’d better return to your chambers, Princess. It’s not safe to be here. Garion and Reimvick may not be the only ones in the palace.”
Serdot watched her turn to leave, but then she hesitated.
“Even if there are many rumors about my…activity, you’ll not tell Lord Valient or Tronchet that I was here?”
Serdot sighed before giving her a small bow. She smiled and retreated from the apartment.
59. WREDEGAR
Eglamour, Toulon Ministry
Bloomfade, 3034
“I can’t take this boredom much longer,” Wredegar said.
“The emperor has ordered that you will remain here,” Vesamune said.
“To waste away in your cellar, Ambassador?”
“Consider it a great compliment that the emperor is keeping you as commander of the Wosmoks in Donovan. And that Meliamour is sending you new recruits. But if you disobey me I will inform her of your insubordination.”
“As of now there are no Wosmoks in Donovan for me to command,” Wredegar said. “It’s easy for you, Vesamune. You spend your days in luxury here and at Erech’s palace. I don’t mean to complain, but I’d much rather return to my post as a knight in the regular army than skulk in foreign shadows. I will miss out on the war while hiding down in your cellar.”
“You are permitted to go anywhere in Eglamour, so long as you take precautions. You still have no clues about Rodel’s disappearance?”
“Many nights I’ve walked the streets of Eglamour searching for any sign of him. I can’t help but wonder if he has…”
“If he what?”
Wredegar knew Rodel had been unhappy, but he was not about to suggest to Meliamour’s sister that one of the Wosmoks had abandoned the empire. “I wonder how he may have died. I presume he’s dead, that is.”
Vesamune sat straighter in her chair. “Do you suppose we’re being hunted now too?”
Wredegar smiled. “If the assassins have any interest in killing Rugens, you’d be the most visible and senior official in Eglamour.”
“Don’t,” she said, annoyed. “Could Rodel have betrayed us?”
“Wosmoks do not turn against their own. They give their lives for the empire.”
“Could Rodel have wanted his life back, as you long for rejoining the regular army?”
“Not possible.”
60. MARLAN
Thorendor Castle, Wallevet Ministry
Bloomfade, 3034
“Wrong! You got his brother.” Arasemis pounded the table.
“He was in the lord minister’s tent,” Fetzer said. “Richly dressed son of a high noble. It must have been him!”
Frustrated, Arasemis turned to Marlan and gestured for him to speak.
“We failed, Fetzer. Master Arasemis heard the news before we returned to Thorendor. Everyone is talking about how the Delavon minister’s camp was attacked in his own lands. And that his brother was killed.”
Arasemis glared at Fetzer. “Perhaps if you’d been less interested in recovering Bertwil’s gladed sword you’d have known where Arthan was. You could have completed the task and Bertwil would still be alive.”
“Don’t blame me,” Fetzer said. “You sent us on this mission, and we nearly succeeded.”
“Nearly?” Arasemis snorted. “You had a clean chance and wasted it. I blame myself for sending you out on a task so early in your training.”
“If you’d given me the proper tools, this wouldn’t have happened,” Fetzer retorted. “I’m the only one without an alchemical sword or advanced alchemy. If I had a good sword, we would never fail.”
Arasemis set stern eyes on Fetzer. “The history of Candlestone is one of many small failures and some big ones. But Candlestone has claimed many great victories because we’re persistent. And only when its members are ready for the tasks.”
“I am ready!” Fetzer shouted, stepping toward Arasemis. “If you’d get your face out of dusty books and crumbling parchments, I’d have—”
“Hold your tongue!” Arasemis shouted. “Candlestone is not about you. Get out of my sight before I—”
Marlan stepped between them as Juhl and Rodel looked on. “Candlestone can only be undone by us. If we stand together, no king or emperor can stand against us. You taught me that, Master.”
Fetzer stepped back, sulking. Arasemis kept his eyes on him.
“He’s young,” the master said. “I should never have let him or Rodel go on this task. They need more training, though Rodel performed admirably.”
“Fetzer did as well,” Marlan said. “The new recruits do need more training. But if Arthan had been in his tent he’d be dead. We were unlucky, and so was Bertwil.”
Fetzer turned to Marlan. “You tell him. Tell the master.”
Marlan hesitated but eventually met Arasemis’s eyes. “Fetzer tried to save Bertwil. The distraction was going well but there were too many soldiers. It was Bertwil who wouldn’t listen to me. Fetzer tried to go to him, but it was too late.”
“The sword!” Arasemis shouted at Fetzer.
Fetzer slowly drew the yellow-tinted sword from his belt and walked toward Arasemis. He extended the sword at arm’s length, pointing it at Arasemis, then he let it fall to the floor in front of the master.
---
Arasemis paced around the library and forced himself to breathe calmly as Marlan watched from a bench.
“Serious revolt has happened within Candlestone before,” Arasemis said. “The punishment has often been death. The Order cannot afford divisions, distractions, and discovery.”
“Fetzer is just eager,” Marlan said. “Headstrong and arrogant, but eager to learn and contribute.”
“He’s reckless and dangerous. You brought him here. But since you’re my senior apprentice, I will stomach him a while longer. But get him under control, or I will deal with him.”
“Shall we try again against Arthan? It would give Fetzer an opportunity to redeem himself.”
“You and Juhl will go to Rachard and try again,” Arasemis said. “Fetzer and Rodel will remain here with me to continue their training.”
Marlan stood and nodded. He turned to leave the library but hesitated.
“Speak your mind, Marlan.”
“I agree with you, Master, that Fetzer is dangerous. But if his mind can be focused, the only danger he’ll present is to the enemy.”
Arasemis sighed. “You still think he is a prophetic leader of Candlestone?”
“He’s no Rildning, but he’s bold and talented. I have no doubt that you can shape him into a potent weapon.”
Arasemis nodded slowly. “He has potential. But I see you as my best weapon, Marlan. If you see something in Fetzer, I will give him some time. But I’ll only let him go so far. I’ll not have generations of work undone by an undisciplined deviant.”
“Tempering and honing, glading and treating, just like our blades.”
“We shall see. Now, time to go to Rachard. Do it quietly and quickly.”
61. THEUDAMER
Heingartmer, Ward of Havelbern
Bloomfade, 3034
“How are the new Wosmoks progressing, Meliamour?” Emperor Theudamer asked as he received a letter from her.
“Eleven have done well in the training, Your Majesty. They should be ready earlier than expected.”
“Good,” he said, opening the letter. “Inform Vesamune and Wredegar. Now, what news from your sister?”
Your Majesty,
Eglamour has become a more hostile place for me as your ambassador. Duke Brugarn continually rejects my request to have an audience with King Erech, and various courtiers regularly insult the Rugen Empire and blame us for their ills. As ever, I’m honored to serve as your representative, but merely wish to inform you of the increasing difficulty of my position.
Regarding the assassinations of the high lords, Wredegar and I are no closer to understanding who is behind it all than the Donovards are. However, one assassin was recently captured. He was among the elite knights known as the Crownblades, who are entrusted with protecting the king and his family. This assassin, Garion by name, nearly killed Brugarn and Arthan, the young lord I spoke of in previous letters.
Arthan somehow uncovered Garion and interrogated him before Garion killed himself by jumping from a window at Arthan’s estate in the capital. Rumors say Arthan pushed Garion to his death, and others say Arthan was behind everything from the start. Regardless, Arthan is viewed by the king as a hero and was appointed by him to a post called the Marshal of Inquiry. He is now responsible for finding and eliminating other assassins.
You’ll recall my previous thoughts about approaching Arthan as someone we may be able to work with to serve the interests of the empire. His reputation is climbing despite the dark rumors spread by his enemies.
Importantly, I did gain a private audience with him at his estate and he agreed to keep talking with me. He is under no illusions and appears to love Donovan as a loyal lord should. But he is very pragmatic, self-interested, and potentially corruptible.
Regarding the ransom for Geras Vilarwef, the negotiations have been slow but I managed to persuade the Donovards not to send him to Austveeden. In return, they want the gold now. I’m confident I’ll be able to convince them of the exchange as you requested. It will simply take a bit more time to negotiate.
Finally, Wredegar is restless. Any information on the progress of the training of his new Wosmok unit would be appreciated.
Your humble servant,
Vesamune Theudamer
Eglamour
Theudamer looked at Meliamour. “I want Vesamune to continue speaking to Valient. He’s the sort we’ll want.”
“Certainly,” Meliamour said.
“What about my war?” Graf asked. “The army is prepared. The border garrisons are double-manned. We’re waiting for your order to invade, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t be so hasty,” Herzol said.
“We must wait for the right moment,” Theudamer said.
“Whoever these assassins are, they are doing our work for us,” Meliamour said. “Infiltrating Erech’s personal guard demonstrates their skill, even if Garion’s capture is a setback for them.”
“But now should be the right time, while Donovan slowly crumbles,” Graf said.
“We’ll wait to see if these assassins are successful in overthrowing the Avaleaus,” Theudamer said. “That would be a better time to invade, once their house is destroyed with the nobles in disarray.”
“If we attack now, the high nobles will still rally around Erech,” Meliamour said.
“Lord Minister Asteroth took Ambardil Free City,” Graf said. “Messengers say he slew many, including every Rugen he found in the city.”
“We expected as much,” Meliamour said.
“Surely we can at least invade Durgensdil, to protect the ethnic Rugens?” Graf asked. “King Erech has already lost the confidence of his high nobles, and perhaps their loyalty. It’s not inconceivable that the Almerians or the Calbrians own these mysterious assassins or will take advantage of Donovan’s woes before we do. Perhaps they’re preparing their own grab of Donovard lands while we watch idly.”
“The Almerians cannot be behind the assassinations with the intent to invade Donovan,” Meliamour said. “While the Almerians may wish to punish the Donovards for the collapse of the Empire Alliance, they can barely hold on to their measly islands off Donovan’s northern coasts.”
“The assassins also first targeted Raymond Reimvick,” Herzol said. “Since he was the principal negotiator in support of the alliance, it makes no sense that the Almerians would have killed him.”
“The Calbrians also have their own problems given the patchwork of peoples they’ve forced together there,” Meliamour said.
“If you know their minds so well, why do you bother deploying your spies?” Graf asked her.
“I know them so well because I do bother,” she said. “I don’t expect you to understand such complicated matters.”
“Donovan will be ours for the picking soon enough,” Theudamer said, “but we must wait until the kingdom is ripe, Graf. Then, you’ll have your war, be sure of that.”
“And our people in Durgensdil?”
The emperor nodded. “We will send them more support. Food, horses, weapons, soldiers. And, Meliamour, send more of your regular spies to Durgensdil. Don’t wait for more Wosmoks. We must stay informed of Lord Asteroth’s movements, looking for any hint that he, or Erath in Gadolin, int
end to invade us first.
“As for you, Graf, prepare to go to the borderlands to pay the ransom for Geras and escort him here to me.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
---
“Stay please, Meliamour,” the emperor said as his counselors began to depart. He stepped down from his wolf-headed throne and walked with her to the window.
“When war comes, the campaigns will be long and fierce. Even if these mysterious assassins or your Wosmoks are successful in sabotaging Donovan’s leadership and defenses, the Donovards will not fold easily.”
Meliamour nodded. “It’s a large kingdom with many resources at hand.”
“Long ago, the ancient Raffen heathens cooperated with the newly independent colonists of this realm. More recently, during Rugenhav’s Wars of Unification, many petty kings and princelets were conquered and consolidated, and naval campaigns established our empire. Both of those events strengthened our people. I long for a third revival borne by the collapse and conquest of Donovan.”
Meliamour nodded. “Too many Rugen lands are still part of our enemy’s kingdom. The time has come.”
Theudamer turned from the window and glanced at one of the dark columns lining his great hall. The figure of his great-great-grandfather, Ebronin the Elder, was carved into it. Ebronin stood impossibly tall, sword in hand, confident and strong.
“The statues are a constant reminder of our golden eras, and the third one to come. I feel the power of my ancestors and the Raffen blood in my veins. I intend to redefine what it means to be Rugen emperor, lord of these and vast foreign lands. And now that the empress is finally with child, my legacy will only grow.”
“We will return Rugenhav to its rightful place as the dominant power of Pemonia, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, our rightful place…”
62. MILISEND
Eglamour Palace, Toulon Ministry
Lords of Deception Page 28