Shadow's Voice

by Natalie Johanson

  Rose clucked her tongue and unclenched her hands. “After a different job, yes. I made him promise to never Track me and I promised I wouldn’t kill any of his people. Or, any more of them.” Rose let out a long, slow breath. “I heard the king is sending you to some island to rot.”

  Simone made a rude sound and Rose smiled at her but there was no warmth in it. Simone recoiled from the look. “I hope you rot for a long time. And die a slow, painful death.”

  Rose turned away with a deep ache, a weariness in her soul she hadn’t felt in a long time.

  Chapter 20

  Rose shifted on the bench, the sun warm on her shoulders. She watched the gentle wind move the flower petals. Her shoulder ached and the muscles of her arm twitched without warning, but the sling was gone. Daymon had worked hard to get her arm back to normal. Now, she wasn’t sure what to do.

  She’d been paid; her job was finished. But she hadn’t left yet. Too many questions about her magic had surfaced and it all seemed tied to the king. Maybe if she stayed she could learn what was changing. Maybe Nico was right about this place.

  Rocks crunching under boots had Rose turning around to the entrance of the alcove. She stood when she saw the king come around the corner.

  “Sire.”

  “Good afternoon, Miss Trewin.”

  Rose stepped back from the bench. “Sorry to intrude. I’ll leave you.”

  “Don’t be silly; I said you are welcome here.” King Micah sat on the bench and patted the space next to him. “Sit.”

  Rose eyed the spot before sitting gingerly. The king tucked the sketchbook he had under his arm into his pocket. “How are you healing?”

  Rose stretched out her arm, gingerly, to demonstrate. “I can move it now.”

  “That is quite the improvement,” the king said. “Have you decided where you are going next, now that you have completed your assignment?”

  Rose shifted. “No. I don’t know.” She went back to watching the flowers move with the wind. “I feel as though my magic is involved or . . . I have more questions.”

  “Then perhaps you should stay.”

  Rose rubbed her aching arm. “I do not know what more I could do for you.”

  “Neither do I, but I know you’ve discovered the likely locations of an invading force. You’ve told us of another assassination plan. You may even be able to identify the assassin. And it seems you’ve found someone with your magic. You may have a bigger part to play in this than any of us realize.”

  Rose let out a deep breath. “Nico told me I should come here. He tried to tell me it’s different here.”

  “Do you have someone waiting for you somewhere?”

  “No,” Rose answered quickly. “I think I’ll stay until . . .” she shrugged, “until I have a reason to leave. Maybe I’ll see what Nico saw.”

  King Micah nodded, and they lapsed into silence. She could feel his gaze on her, but Rose wouldn’t meet his eyes. Finally, Rose broke the silence.

  “The man, with the magic, he spoke with the same accent as the one Nico saw.”

  “Do you think they are the same man?” King Micah asked.

  Rose sighed and rubbed her forehead. “I think I have heard the accent before, I just can’t place it. I wish I had seen his face.”

  “Describe his words to me.”

  “Well, he . . . it sounded like he hissed his words.”

  “B’leakon,” King Micah said.

  “B’leakon!” Rose exclaimed. “Yes, that. I couldn’t place it. It has been some time since I’ve traded with them.”

  The B’leakons were the native people of the Black Hills. Odd people with large color-changing eyes. People often described their eyes as bird eyes, round and golden. Some said the color changed based on their mood, but B’leakons rarely ventured off their island. Much was unknown.

  Rose thumped her hand against King Micah’s arm. “If he’s B’leakon . . . and Lord Damian is supplying his army through the Black Hills. . . .” Rose drummed her fingers on his arm while she thought, unaware of her actions. “Could that be the connection? Is that how Lord Damian found him?”

  King Micah shifted to face her and Rose withdrew her hand when she noticed it on his arm.

  “How does one find an assassin?” King Micah asked.

  “Depends on who you know, who they know,” Rose said off-handedly. “He could have easily found him through trade. Ask the right question, find the right circle of people.”

  King Micah eyed her and Rose wished she could’ve taken her words back.

  “I would guess,” Rose amended half-heartedly. “I wish it were easier to speak with the B’leakons and ask after our mystery man.”

  “Well,” King Micah shifted on the bench and stretched his legs out in front of him, “as it is, one is in the castle right now, with several more due to arrive within the coming days.”

  Rose squinted at him. “Why? They rarely come off their island.”

  “Because I am hosting a ball, on the Summer Solstice. Many across Rhivony are coming and, as to strengthen the trade partnership, many from the Black Hills.”

  Rose smiled. “I would be interested in speaking to them when they arrive . . . if I were someone trying to uncover hidden plans.”

  “Master D’ray is here now. Feel free to speak with him when you see him. He is one of the leading tradesman.”

  Rose nodded and they lapsed into silence again. King Micah pulled out his sketchbook and turned to a clean page.

  “I should leave you,” Rose said as she stood.

  The king looked up from his page. “If you insist. I do not mind the company.”

  Buttoning her short coat, she dipped in a small bow. “I think I should.”

  “If you are going to be staying,” King Micah called after her as she turned to leave, “I’d speak with Captain Sayla.”

  Rose stopped with a grumble. “Yes, Sire.”

  She retreated from the gardens, following the stone path through the vegetation. She headed toward the castle but changed her mind and turned toward the stables at the other end of the castle grounds.

  She passed the field house and outdoor training rings, many with students working through bouts with each other. She caught sight of Archie, pointing his practice sword at a student who was sprawled on the dusty ground. He saw her passing and nodded at her before returning to his point.

  Rose ducked into the stables and welcomed the quiet. The castle grounds were so loud. People talking, laughing, shouting. The clanging of metals and braying of animals. The stables were dusty and quiet by contrast, with only the nickers of horses and the occasional scuffing of a hoof.

  Her horse was missing, somewhere in Amora Province so she wandered through the stables. She wandered into the back corner, where she spotted a giant black horse kicking at the stall door.

  Rose walked up to the beast, who bobbed its head and kicked the door again. Rose climbed onto the rails and looked into the stall, braced her hand on the horse’s large nose. She shushed the animal and scrubbed the white patch between its eyes. “What’s your problem, hmm?”

  The horse stepped forward and dropped her head over the door, forcing Rose to jump to the ground or be knocked off.

  “That is Starlit.”

  Rose turned to Captain Sayla, who stood with her arms crossed behind her. Starlit shoved Rose’s shoulder with her nose and she stumbled. Rose grunted but went back to rubbing Starlit’s cheek and velvet nose.

  “She doesn’t get much attention. Not a very easy ride. The stable master has sent her out with several different riders, but . . .” the captain pushed away from the stable wall. “No one wants her. She gets a bit moody because of that. She’s assigned to the Light Horse as a relief for now.”

  Rose ducked under the horse’s
head and grabbed the bridle hanging on the wall. She looped it on Starlit’s head, secured her to a notch on the wall, and let the horse out of the stall. Starlit eagerly walked out of the stall and stood tall.

  “Is she a Friesian?” Rose asked as she ran her hand down the horse’s long neck.

  Captain Sayla hummed an affirmative sound and scratched the horse’s nose. “She was meant to be a warhorse for the cavalry, but she injured her fetlock when she was young. The trainers didn’t think it was worth the effort to bring her up to standing.”

  Rose looked down at Starlit’s foreleg and saw an old scar that ran across the fetlock and up the cannon of her leg. “Who trained her then?”

  “The king,” Captain Sayla said. “He’d rather spend all his time on one project than work on several.”

  Rose frowned at her.

  Captain Sayla waved her hand at her. “He trains horses. His family does. He likes to work with the special cases, one on one.”

  “Like the injured ones no one else bothers with.” Rose looked back at the horse. “Can I ride her?”

  Captain Sayla watched her before nodding. “I don’t see why not. Does this mean you’ll not be leaving?”

  Rose sighed and patted Starlit’s cheek. “I have too many questions and the answers seem to be here for now.”

  Captain Sayla watched her with a sly look on her face before speaking. “Tack and saddle Starlit. I’ll get my own horse. Ride with me for a time.”

  Rose grumbled but obeyed. So much for delaying her meeting with the woman. Captain Sayla disappeared to ready her own horse and soon they were leading the horses behind the stables to the large pasture that stretched to the castle wall. Captain Sayla unlatched the gate, and Rose followed.

  “Now,” the captain warned as she swung up into her own saddle, “Starlit isn’t the easiest ride. Nor does she always listen to commands.”

  Rose pulled herself into the saddle. “Neither do I,” she muttered.

  Starlit snorted and bobbed her head and Rose shushed her with a pat to her thick neck. The horse skipped her front hooves. Rose relaxed her hold on the reins and let the horse wander where she wanted. Captain Sayla brought her gray-colored mare even with Rose.

  “Where did you learn about your magic?” Captain Sayla asked just loud enough to carry over the distance between them and the horses’ hoof beats.

  Rose rolled her sore shoulder. “I didn’t,” she bit out. “I figured it out as I went.”

  “The king mentioned to me you hadn’t heard of the Subpleont berries. I’d wondered why that was. Much of our knowledge was lost during the Dark Times, when we warred against anyone with magic. We don’t know if there are others or why that plant helps us at all.”

  Rose listened to her, annoyed to admit to herself she wanted this information but grateful the captain hadn’t made her ask for it.

  “I have never seen magic like yours. But I’ve also never met anyone with magic like mine,” Captain Sayla admitted. “From the few books remaining in the archives, we know there is elemental magic. Like Sam’s. People whose magic is flame, water, wind, or earth. They are the strongest magics. In the old times, these people were the ones that formed clans. There are also those whose magic is not elemental at all. Like mine. According to the books, those were the rarer of the magics. Now all of it is rare, I suppose.”

  “Where does it come from?” Rose finally asked. “Why do some have it and others don’t?”

  Captain Sayla looked over at her with a frown. “Where do people get their red hair, or blue eyes? Why are some tall and others short? It is part of who you are. A lot of magic runs in family lines, but not all.”

  Rose tsked and turned away from the captain’s eyes. Her gaze landed on several riders on the other side of the pasture.

  “Who is that?” She pointed.

  The captain shielded her eyes against the sun’s glare. “Oh, the king and Lady Daniella, heir to the Salva Province.”

  Rose watched the procession of riders, mostly guards. “She looks important.”

  Captain Sayla grunted and Rose slid her eyes toward her with a grin. “We’ll see.”

  Rose pulled the reins and directed Starlit back toward the stables. Her arm hurt. Her back was cramping, and the healing skin itched. Starlit snorted at the direction but Rose patted her neck and insisted. A little gentle pressure from her knees and the stubborn horse settled down and turned back toward the stables.

  “The horse listens to you.”

  Rose chuckled. “I think our wits would be evenly matched if she truly wanted to argue with me.” Starlit’s ears flicked back to Rose as she spoke. “But I think she’s a fine horse, if a little strong willed.”

  “I’ll see about having her assigned to you during your stay here, then.”

  Rose nodded and slipped from the saddle at the gate. The captain followed her and pulled the reins from her hands. “I’ll see to your horse. Go rest.”

  Rose opened her mouth to protest but the captain cut her off with a sharp finger.

  “No. I can see you’re hurting from how you’re walking. And you’re nursing your arm again. Go rest. I may be a captain but I’m still capable of work.”

  Rose eyed the captain for a moment. “Thank you, captain.”

  She slowly trekked back to the castle, craving nothing more than a long nap. She’d think more on what the captain said when her aching body didn’t demand so much of her attention.

  Chapter 21

  Rose slid off Starlit and tied the giant horse to the post outside the small shop. She’d ridden down from the castle and into town, intent on spending some of her hard-earned coin from the king. The market square was busy and loud, people rushing from shop to stall.

  She slipped inside the cool building and had barely looked around when a leather long coat on the wall caught her attention. Rose wandered over and stared at the beauty. She ran her fingers along the fine, thick leather.

  “Do you like that, lass?”

  Rose unbuttoned the front and looked at the lining. “Oh, yes. Is this wool?”

  The short man rocked back on his heels, admiring the coat with her. “Inside? Yes, lass, cotton cloth next to the leather and then wool.”

  “It’s thick.” Great for warmth. Stopping blades. I could make hidden pockets in all the lining . . . great for stashing coin or knives, she thought while feeling along the seams.

  “Yes.”

  Rose ogled at the coat. Oh, she wanted this beauty. She wanted it badly. “How much?”

  “Ah.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Sadly, lass this is not for sale. You’ll have to wait for me to make another.”

  “Don’t tell me . . . special order?”

  He fingered the leather coat. “Yes. The customer is letting me display it for a time before he collects it.”

  Rose groaned. She had coin but nowhere near enough for a custom order. She sighed. “That’s a pity.”

  Movement near the shop window made Rose turn. She swallowed a gasp when she recognized the man standing at the window and quickly excused herself from shop owner. Outside she turned down the side of the building knowing he’d follow.

  “Look at the Little Flower, all grown up.”

  Rose ground her teeth and around to face him. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m picking up my coat. Nothing more.”

  Oh, it would be his coat. She groaned. He was the one who had shown her how useful a good, thick coat could be, how to best place your knives.

  “Where have you been? Your father has been searching for you.”

  Rose cursed. “Marik, do not tell him you saw me.”

  Marik laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “He’s my most prominent contact and you . . . well you, Little Flower, are his most useful asse
t. He would pay me well to tell him.”

  Rose ground her teeth. “How many favors have I done for you? How many jobs? You owe me this.”

  “I owe you nothing, girl!” he snapped. “You were paid for your jobs and the favors repaid.”

  Rose lowered her voice. “You know damn well you still owe me. You owe me this one thing.”

  “You know the temper that man has. You’re a fool if you think I’ll lie to him just for your hide.”

  Rose rubbed her forehead with a shaky hand. “Don’t lie, Marik. Just . . . don’t mention me.”

  “Favor or no, that’ll cost you.” Marik took a step too close. Rose’s hand started to inch toward her dagger. “Get any closer to that blade and I’ll hit you so hard you’ll swallow teeth.”

  “Stand any closer and I’ll slit your throat before you knock my teeth in,” Rose hissed at him. Her hand hovered above the hilt.

  “You think you can move that fast, girl?” His breath hit her face.

  “You want to try me? It’s been awhile, Marik. I’ve learned some skill with blades and you know what I could do before.”

  His chuckle was dry and humorless. “You think you could slit my throat, Flower?”

  Rose swallowed but her throat was dry. “Back away. I’ve no patience for this and this alley is too open.”

  Marik let out a breath and took a step back. “You always were a spunky one. I’ll give you that.”

  Rose didn’t move her hand away from her dagger. “Marik,” she snapped to get his attention. “Do not tell my father you saw me. That is all I ask.”

  He eyed her and finally relented. “Fine. This one favor.” He turned to leave but stopped at the corner of the alley. “But he’s a determined man; an angry and determined man.”

  Rose watched him go, a sick feeling in her stomach. Her fist was clenched around the handle of her dagger. If the alley was a little darker, a little smaller, just a few less people mingling around, and that blasted man would not be sauntering away from it. One day. Rose let out a slow breath and forced her hand to relax. One day.