The Sigil of Sobek: Book 2 The Chronicles of Conran

by Valerie Lindsey

  I smiled wryly. “Nor I, but he visited me and it was almost like before. At least, until we discussed Queen Drusilla. King Drexel said I will be assigned to the Court of Florenza for four years.”

  “How does that make you feel?”

  “I’m not sure until I meet King Stefano and his court, but I feel better knowing you will be with me. Has your family retired?”

  “Mother has. Fira asked to join us. She seems quite fascinated by you. What did you do?”

  “I gave her advice to avoid a disastrous marriage. She promised she would follow it. I hope she does.”

  Ilena made a scoffing noise. “My sister is not known for taking advice, especially when it is for her own good. However, since the advice came from a handsome young lord…” her voice trailed off as she smiled, mischief dancing in her unusual violet eyes.

  I felt myself flush and hoped she couldn’t see it in the dim light. We came out of the hallway into the foyer. Laughter, talking and candlelight spilled out of the open doorway.

  “Ilena, thought we would speak privately?”

  “No, I just wanted to reassure you that you wouldn’t be losing me.”

  Her hand tightened on my arm as she looked up at me.

  “I can never thank you enough for your friendship and guidance, Ilena. I appreciate having good friends, but I don’t know how much more partying I can manage tonight.”

  “Nor I. Why don’t we slip back upstairs before anyone sees us?”

  “That sounds perfect.”

  I tucked her hand closer as we quickly stepped back from the parlor entrance and up the dim stairs.

  “Is it odd being back home, Ilena?”

  “It feels good without my father’s presence. I’ve missed my mother.”

  “Why don’t you stay here a little longer? We can spare a few guards or send a small party back if you tell me how long you want to stay.”

  “That is kind of you but I can visit from Florenza. I would rather ride with you.”

  We stopped before her bedroom door. To my surprise, she stretched up to kiss me on the cheek.

  “Good night, Conran. Sleep well.”

  “You, too.”

  Despite my excitement over the day’s events, I dropped into a deep, dreamless sleep after quickly undressing. It was still dark when I woke. Oddly, I felt refreshed for such an early hour and lit the bedside lantern.

  I stirred the fire with the brass poker and added a fresh log. The log caught with a spitting flurry of sparks. A shadow in the corner stirred. The hairs on my arm rose but I averted my eyes.

  In the dim, flickering light, I quickly washed and dried myself. Opening the carved wardrobe, I pulled out one of my own outfits that I’d hung the night before. Lady Balindoch had had a maid collect the clothes she wanted to give me to have them quickly altered. Except for a traveling outfit, I’d left the remainder of my clothes in my traveling trunk.

  I deliberately ignored the dark, flickering shadow. I wouldn’t miss the shade when we left though I hoped for one more day here. I quietly opened the door and surveyed the dark corridor. I paused before stepping back into my room for a candlestick and lit it with a lighter stick from the fireplace. I held a hand in front of the feeble light to shield it from the drafts swirling through the wide, empty hall.

  Several loose boards creaked under my boots, despite the carpet runner and my best efforts to walk quietly. I held my breath as if that would keep everyone asleep. Shaking my head at my foolishness, I slowly let my breath out.

  The ticking of the grandfather clock reverberated from the foot of the staircase. Lambent light from downstairs drew me like a lost moth. My right hand brushed the smooth railing as I quickly descended.

  I paused at the foot of the stairs and saw the light emanated from the study. Voices came from the open doorway. I recognized the voices of King Drexel and Nicholas, and quickly decided not to interrupt them.

  It wasn’t normal for Nicky to be up so early. It normally took several prods or a bellow from Silvesto to rouse him. I wondered what was wrong as I absently paced.

  “Conran, come in! Your pacing is making me nervous,” King Drexel’s voice commanded.

  Embarrassed I’d given myself away, I pushed the ajar door fully open, paused just inside and bowed.

  “Rise, Lord Pierce-Seahorn,” King Drexel said coldly.

  Straightening, I saw that King Drexel’s eyes belied the sternness in his voice. His mouth twitched before relaxing into a smile.

  “I did not expect you up so early. Did you not enjoy your celebration?”

  “I did but I did not over indulge. I remember what happened the last time,” I said ruefully. “I just had a restless night.”

  “I hope you are not worrying about your new mission. I have every confidence in you. I would never give you more than you can handle though I doubt there is anything you cannot do.”

  I forced a smile but knew he was referring to my magic. I glanced over at my friend. Nicky looked like he hadn’t slept at all. There were dark shadows underlining his red-rimmed eyes.

  Suddenly, I knew he’d been pleading to return to court with King Drexel. I didn’t want to lose him, but I wanted him to complete his knighthood and be reunited with his fiancée. Maybe I could help him.

  “Your Majesty, may I ask a boon?”

  King Drexel laughed with a deep rumble in his chest.

  “Have I not given you enough ‘boons’, Lord Pierce-Seahorn?”

  “Yes, you have, Sire.” I didn’t say anything more, comfortable with letting the silence stretch out.

  “What is it you want, Conran?” he finally responded with a barely perceptible sigh.

  “As much as I like Nicky by my side, I think he would be of more value back at court with you, Sire.”

  King Drexel roared with laughter, startling both Nicky and I. He chortled for several minutes until his mirth gradually subsided.

  “Your affection and loyalty to your friends is admirable, but I need Nicky to work his charm on King Stefano. As I have explained to him repeatedly,” he said with a stern look at my friend. “A king should not explain his desires.”

  King Drexel shook his head. Not for the first time, the newly sprouted grey in his curly brown hair shown in the light. Queen Drusilla was not a fit companion for the man I’d come to admire and respect. My dislike for her grew.

  “Upon my return, I will see that Katherine Witfield is escorted to the Florenza Court. However, I will require four of your current squad to protect Miss Witfield.”

  “I will send our four best with you,” I responded enthusiastically. Absently, I rubbed the Druid’s Egg. A disturbing image flashed before me.

  “May I be one of the four, Sire?”

  Nicky looked hopeful and plaintive at the same time. Before King Drexel could answer, I burst out “No, you mustn’t take him, Your Majesty!”

  A frown creased King Drexel’s brow as he looked between Nicky and me. Nicky’s face looked stricken.

  “Nicky, if you go then neither Kit nor you arrive safely to Florenza. If John attends in your place then I see a happy future for both of you.”

  At the confusion and anger in Nicky’s eyes, I stepped closer and hoped he would see the sincerity in mine. Before I could say more, King Drexel cleared his voice and stamped his foot. Startled, we both turned.

  “Who is King?” He bellowed. “Do not let my affection for either of you allow you to forget that! Nicholas, you will accompany Lord Pierce-Seahorn to assist him with court diplomacy. I will take Conran’s advice and accept John and your three top men to accompany Miss Witfield’s armed escort.”

  “I will let the men know, Sire,” Nicky responded in a subdued voice.

  With a low bow, Nicky backed out of the room. I stood erect and waited. I was relieved to see the unexpected anger fade from King Drexel’s face.

  “Please sit, Conran. I wanted to share some insight about King Stefano.” King Drexel sat in an overstuffed velvet covered chair and motione
d me to the smaller chair before him.

  “King Stefano will appear stern but he is actually a very kind man. I credit his wife for softening him. Queen Marguerite is as beautiful inside as she is fair. Their sons are Prince Michele and Prince Matteo. Michele is dark like his father while Matteo is fair. Truly, I envy their contentment.”

  King Drexel paused and smiled. The shift in his temper was startling.

  “King Stefano runs his kingdom with a firm but fair hand. I think you will come to enjoy your time at Florenza Court and the years will pass swiftly.” He sighed before adding, “You may never want to leave.”

  “My duty will always be to you, Sire.”

  “Maybe you will find that special lady at Florenza,” he offered with a wink. “If so, arrangements can be made to make the position permanent. I owe you a great deal and I know you will serve me ably no matter where you are stationed.”

  A sense of foreboding gripped me. Who would protect King Drexel from his queen if I wasn’t there? Though to be honest, I had failed to do much to curtail her influence. Maybe she would accept her husband’s influence better if I were absent.

  “I know that look. What do you see?”

  “Nothing, Sire. I just wish things could have been different with Queen Drusilla. I trust the situation will improve without me in Argelle.”

  “As do I but I realize her nature now. Sometimes, I wish I had heeded your advice. All I can do is hope for joy from my children.” In a very low voice, he murmured, “I will ensure the children are not unduly influenced by Dru.”

  Pretending not to have heard the last sentence, I nodded and smiled as I responded, “May you and your queen be blessed with many healthy children.”

  A wry smile twisted his full lips as he met my eyes. “How many, Conran?”

  Struggling to stop my lips from twitching, I forced myself to answer evenly, “Four sons and a daughter. All healthy and handsome.”

  The lines on his face softened as his body momentarily relaxed. Almost immediately, he straightened to his customary erectness.

  “Thank you, Conran. The court will miss your talents. Can you let my men know we will leave immediately?”

  “Certainly, Your Majesty. Shall I send Lady Balindoch to you, first?”

  “There is no need. We spoke and exchanged gifts last night, so they could rest this morning.”

  “Very well, Sire.”

  With what I hoped was a courtly bow, I took my leave. I stepped outside into the crisp air and inhaled deeply. It was pitch black but the soft snuffling of horses, creaking leather and jangling of harnesses signaled King Drexel’s men saddled and ready. Once my eyes adjusted, I walked to the lead man.

  “Howell, his Majesty will be out shortly. Four of our men will be accompanying you.”

  “Is that wise, my Lord?”

  “It is the King’s will and there is no danger. It is less than half a day’s safe travel to Florenza Court.”

  I could barely see his head nod in the early morning dimness. Shivering in the coolness, I quickly retreated to return indoors and almost collided with the opening door.

  “I’m sorry, Conran!” Nicky exclaimed. “I was getting the door for King Drexel.”

  “No harm done,” I responded, stepping back and bowing low again before King Drexel.

  “I think you two require more rest. There is no need for you to leave before tomorrow.”

  “That is kind of you, Sire, but my injury has already delayed my responsibility.”

  “Need I remind you – again – who is king? Besides, I promised Lady Balindoch that she could have her daughter for one more day. I keep my promises and I expect you to obey my orders.”

  The light streaming from the open doorway revealed the mischievous lightness in his eyes.

  “I shall be an obedient subject, Your Majesty,” I replied as evenly as possible while bowing even lower.

  Chapter 8

  A church spire flashed gold below us. Feathery white seeds twirled and spun against the blazing blue sky. The air had warmed steadily as we traveled south. First, I’d removed my jacket, followed an hour later by my doublet. Unbuttoning the top two shirt buttons twenty minutes earlier and a sudden breeze brought welcome coolness.

  Florenza lay beneath us as I paused at the crest of a softly rounded hill. The city was bordered on two sides by bright green hills, the dazzling sapphire ocean on another and well-tended fields on the fourth. The green of the hills was so bright it almost hurt.

  Well laid out clean, cobbled streets spread out like the spokes of a wheel. The scrubbed streets were bustling with brightly dressed people, carts and animals. The glass from hundreds of windows sparkled and flashed in the sunlight.

  “I wonder if they have mild winters,” I pondered aloud to Silvesto who was astride beside me. “It is a lot warmer than it would be at Argelle today.”

  “I understand that Florenza enjoys a temperate climate,” Silvesto responded. After a few moments, he added, “That has to be the handsomest city I have ever seen.”

  With the travels he and Lady Ilena had made, I knew it was no idle praise. The tall grass swayed and rippled in the soft breeze. The soft lowing of the cattle sounded below us. Unfamiliar scents surrounded me. For the first time, I felt anticipation at a new adventure.

  “It looks like a good place to be exiled to. I hope all of us will be happy here.”

  “It is close to both Lady Ilena’s and your family. I look forward to mild seasons, and enjoying seafood. No complaints from me.”

  “Won’t you miss Henrietta?”

  His frown and warning look made me sorry I’d mentioned his friend in King Drexel’s serving staff. Silently, I turned back to the vista below us.

  “Shall we ride in, Lord Pierce-Seahorn?”

  “Yes,” I said. I bent forward to stroke Scimitar’s neck. “Nice, warm bed soon, boy.”

  “Shall we race in, Conran?” Nicky’s voice inquired from behind me.

  My saddle creaked as I turned to grin at my friend.

  “You will never learn, Nicky! You can have a head start, so Scimitar can enjoy the challenge.”

  “Do you really want the first impression you make to be that of two hooligans?”

  I knew Silvesto was right but I felt restless and this might be my last chance to be carefree. So, I ignored his advice. I glanced down the slope and spied a small stand of tall, slender trees.

  “We’ll race to those trees and wait for you and our party. Ready, Nicky?”

  Without answering, Nicky bolted past me on his sorrel gelding. Keeping my promise, I gave him a few minutes head start before lightly pressing my heels into Scimitar’s creamy flanks. The air rushed past me and I felt exhilaration as we swiftly drew close to Nicky.

  Yelling, I drew abreast of Nicky’s horse and slowly pulled ahead. Scimitar’s muscles rippled and bunched beneath my legs as the wind sang past my face. He seemed as eager for the race as I. Invigorated, I let out another whoop. The smell of crushed grass rose up as I carefully reined Scimitar just short of the stand of graceful, slender trees.

  “I will never beat Scimitar!”

  Laughing, I wheeled Scimitar around to face Nicky. Movement behind him pulled my gaze past him. One of our men was galloping towards us. I hoped he hadn’t been sent to pass on a scolding. Nicky followed my look.

  “I wonder why he is chasing us? Do you think Lady Ilena will rebuke us?”

  “I would not doubt it,” I answered slowly. “However, I needed that race. For too long, I wasn’t sure I would ever ride again.”

  I blinked back the humiliating tears that unexpectedly filled my eyes. I swallowed and looked down the slope to the drowsy city. The people appeared to move languidly and I felt myself relaxing as I watched them.

  “Lord Pierce-Seahorn! King Drexel directed me to ride to Florenza to prepare them for your arrival. He said it would not do for us to surprise King Stefano and his court.”

  “Thank you, John. We will ensure we arrive in a stat
ely manner.”

  “No more races?” Nicky snickered.

  “Not today. I had better comport myself as a lord and not a hellion.”

  “You don’t have to worry about your comportment,” Nicky stated emphatically. “I did a grand job on instructing you on proper behavior!”

  I burst out laughing. “It is good to have you with me. Our party is approaching.”

  I immediately picked out Silvesto’s erect and broad figure on one of the lead horses. I doubted he thought well of our impromptu race but hoped he empathized. “I think we should ride down to rejoin our party.”

  Nodding his assent, Nicky pulled his horse around to face uphill. Before following his lead, I looked down once more at Florenza. I saw two riders racing up the hill to us.

  Smiling, I remarked, “I think King Stefano will understand our race. It seems his sons are eager to greet me.”

  “What?” Nicky looked over his shoulder. “How do you…never mind. Are we staying here then?”

  I nodded. “I think Silvesto and Lady Ilena will understand.”

  I turned back to watch the princes’ approach. An unnerving vision flashed before me. I doubted I could surround the galloping princes with an adequate shield, so I turned quickly to the hidden threat and sent an invisible force against the men hidden behind a low wall of thick bushes.

  ‘Ilena, send three of the men to me immediately. Armed!’

  “Nicky, ready your bow!”

  Not waiting for his response, I gently pressed my heels into Scimitar, galloping towards the princes’ assassins. I soon heard a thundering of hooves behind me and saw Silvesto approaching on his Arabian mare. At his inquiring look, I pointed to the hedge where we saw two men struggling to get up. Nicky pulled up beside me with an arrow nocked.

  “Stay back, my lord. The men and I will take care of them,” Silvesto shouted.

  I only held back briefly as I was determined not to be too far behind. Nicky kept pace with me. Castor and Jeffrey swept past us with their swords drawn. I stopped short of the hedge as our three men surrounded two cowed bowmen. Nicky kept his arrow trained on the men.