The Veil of Trust

by S. Usher Evans

  Beswick's eyes bulged as he swayed on his feet for a moment before tipping forward. His two guards lost their footing and fell into the water. Behind them, Felix, dripping wet, caught Katarine in one hand while letting Beswick's guard fall face-first onto the wood.

  "Finally," Luard said, scrambling over to the boat and taking his sister. To be sure, he pressed his finger to her neck. "She's fine. Just unconscious."

  "Why are you wet?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

  "We thought we'd go for a swim." He grinned and nodded toward the murky water. Four vigilantes waved at me, two of them holding Beswick's guards.

  "And you said you weren't a good vigilante," I said to Felix with an appraising look.

  "It wasn't my idea," Felix said, looking behind him to where Aline was climbing out of the water. Some of the color had returned to her face, but she still wore a sheepish grin.

  "I thought I told you to run." I said to her.

  "That's not what The Veil does," she said. "You taught me that."

  "Can't argue with that logic," Felix said.

  Chapter 52

  With Felix's additional forces, plus those civilians who'd decided to stick around and help, we quickly subdued Beswick's forces and herded them to the field just outside of town—Jax's idea.

  "You're so precious. I didn't think you'd take too kindly to us killing all of Beswick's men," he said.

  The captured men and women sat in the open field, hands bound, surrounded by the Forcadelian soldiers and the vigilantes with swords pointed at their faces. I wasn't worried about them fighting back. Once they knew Beswick had been taken prisoner, most dropped their arms and surrendered immediately.

  Those who hadn't, I'd had placed on the Niemenian fishing vessel Felix had come in on to await their interrogation.

  "Why are we interrogating them?" Luard asked. "And what are you planning to do with them afterward?"

  "You're taking Beswick," I said. "But he can still be useful to me. Even if in name only."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Maybe I learned a little something from Celia," I said. "Or I'm less noble than I used to be after accepting stolen food in her name."

  I opened the door to the quarterdeck where Ignacio sat tied to a chair, bound and gagged. He snorted in my direction as I sauntered inside but gave me a curious look as I gently undid his gag.

  "Good morning, Ignacio," I said, standing in front of him with my arms crossed over my chest. "You're looking well."

  He made a noise. "I ain't talking."

  "Aren't you in luck?" I said with a smile. "I don't want you to talk. I want you to work."

  Ignacio shifted in his seat, trying not to look interested.

  "See, Beswick's got a great thing going in Forcadel right now," I said. "He's got people who fear him and people who want to ally themselves with him for power. I want to harness that."

  "Good luck," he said. "Nobody in Beswick's operation wants to work for you."

  "They won't be working for me. They'll be working for you, and you now work for me."

  He tilted his head up, confused.

  "You told me once that rebellions aren't run on hopes and dreams. That they're run on money. And you're right. I need money if I'm going to win against Ilara."

  "But—"

  "The story you'll tell is that Beswick's been taken, but you managed to escape," I said, waving my hand to silence him. "And took up the mantle of his operations in his stead. You're his closest ally, so clearly this is what would've happened anyway. Take all the rent, threaten all the people, just keep on as if you reported to your old boss. But instead, all the money will be going toward my cause." I smiled. "And, of course, you now take direction from me."

  "Thought you had a moral code and all that," he said.

  "I do," I said. "Which is why once I'm back on the throne, I'll be using the royal treasury to pay it all back. And as thanks for your help, I'll wipe the considerable number of crimes from your ledger. You'll be a free man to start your life over as you see fit."

  "That's a big if," he said. "Ilara's pretty entrenched in the city now. You think you have a chance?"

  "Are you really asking me that after what I did tonight?" I asked.

  "And what happens if I don't want to work for you?"

  "Then you'll join your boss on a one-way journey to Niemen," I said with a smile. "Luard tells me they'll plunge him up to his neck in ice until he freezes to death." I shivered. "Sounds quite unpleasant. I'd take my chances with Ilara myself."

  He swallowed hard. "Beswick has people in Niemen."

  "Beswick picked a fight he couldn't win," I replied. "He's out of funds, out of friends, and right now, out of chances. He'll go to Niemen to be put to death for his crimes, and the people in Forcadel will be better for it." I got to my feet. "I suggest you think long and hard about who you want to support right now."

  I was halfway to the door when he cried, "Wait."

  "And you trust he'll do what you ask?" Felix asked as we walked through the town.

  Two of his guards flanked us, and on the rooftops, my vigilantes were keeping an eye on things. In the stores and businesses, people were opening doors and getting back to work.

  "Not in the least," I said. "Which is why I'm sending a couple of my vigilantes with him. If he so much as sniffs in the wrong direction, they have my permission to gut him."

  A group of children stopped in front of us. I quirked my brow at them, waiting for them to move, but instead, they bowed and scampered away. My traitorous mind brought me back to the hyblatha vision, of all the children back at camp dead. I shook it away. Just my worst fears, a trick of the weed. Nothing more.

  "The people are grateful for what you did here," Felix said. "I wouldn't be surprised if some of the younger townsfolk come back to camp with us."

  I smiled and waved back at a woman who'd opened her front door. "Maybe. But there are a lot of people in camp now. I don't know how I can house them all."

  "Then perhaps it's time to consider moving," Felix said. "Beswick's taken care of, Ammon's on board. The only thing left to tackle is Ilara."

  "Indeed," I said, as we came to the outskirts of the city and what I hoped would be the new additions to my army. Joella stood at the front, her eagle-eyes watching those seated for signs of unrest.

  "What about them?" Felix asked. "We can't take all of them back to Niemen to stand trial. Most of them aren't even guilty."

  "I have a plan for them, too," I said, leaving him to walk toward Joella. "How are the prisoners?"

  "They aren't talking," Joella said. "But we've been bandaging their wounds and tending to them. Hopefully that kindness will loosen some tongues. Some of them I recognize from Forcadel. They're shop owners and merchants. Not soldiers. Seems like Beswick rounded up every able-bodied person he could to fight."

  "Whether they wanted to or not," I said darkly. "Thank you."

  I continued toward the group, asking the two guards in the front to move aside so I could address them. I straightened my shoulders and raised my voice.

  "Good morning," I called.

  A few heads perked up.

  "Some of you may not recognize me," I said. "My name is Brynna-Larissa Archer Rhodes Lonsdale. The rightful queen of Forcadel."

  Those who'd been avoiding my gaze looked up, and a few squinted in my direction. I gave them all a minute to take a good look before I continued.

  "I know most of you are here because Beswick's holding something over you," I said. "And if given the chance, you would gladly return to your homes and families. I'm happy to say that Johann Beswick will no longer be in Forcadel—he's on his way to face justice in Niemen."

  A ripple of surprise ran through the group, and more than a few gasps of relief erupted.

  "I know you're all eager to return home. But I'd like to ask you to put that on hold, if only for a few more weeks. We will be returning to Forcadel. And I need as many willing bodies as I can get to defeat Ilara and her forces.
"

  The relief turned to surprise, and even a little anger.

  "You'd be joining members of the Forcadelian Royal Guard, thieves from the forest pirate Celia's camp, and others that have joined my ranks. If you stay, you'll be expected to fall under my colors, under my command, and those who I've delegated. And I promise that I will make sure all your crimes are expunged, and all that Beswick took from your family is set right. You have my word."

  I waited for someone to ask what would happen to them if they chose not to join with me, but no one did. Instead, the closest to me rose to his feet with some difficulty.

  "Your Majesty," he said, dropping to one knee.

  One by one, they got up then fell to their knee. As they did, I motioned to the Forcadelian guard to cut their ties and allow them freedom. At the end, only ten remained seated, and those I told the guard to bring to their feet.

  "They'll be coming with us," I said. "I'll figure out what to do with them later. Maybe we can finally put together a real prison."

  "Or they'll change their minds," Felix said with a knowing smile.

  "Hopefully," I said. "I hope you're ready to assume command of them."

  "Wait…me?" Felix blinked.

  "My army's getting rather large now, Felix," I said. "With these sixty, we're getting close to two-fifty. I need someone well-versed in military leadership. And as much as I like Jorad, he's just a kid. You are my best military advisor." I held out my hand. "General Llobrega."

  "Quite a leap from captain," he replied.

  "I think you've earned it," I said. "And not just because you're cute."

  With the town back to normal, and my newly minted troops under Felix's command, all that was left was to deal with the man himself. Beswick had been sequestered on Luard's boat since his capture, guarded by both Niemenian and Forcadelian forces.

  When I climbed onboard the ship, Luard was drinking a goblet of wine.

  "Not my favorite vintage, but it'll do for celebration," he said, offering me a glass.

  I took the glass and sipped it. "How's the prisoner?"

  "Swearing up and down that he'll be able to get out of his binds," Luard said. "But what he doesn't understand is that I have more money than I know what to do with, and anyone who tries to get him out will be offered triple what he's promised."

  "Triple nothing is nothing," I said with a grin. "I think he's finally done for."

  Luard rose. "Thank you for letting us have him. I know how much you wanted to bring him to justice yourself."

  "I don't care much about that," I said. "What I care about is that he can no longer hurt anyone. Besides that, it'll be a few months before the Forcadelian courts are back up and running. I think I can let Niemen take care of him for me."

  "That we can," he said. "And when I get back to Skorsa, I'll send ships down to your aid."

  "Wait on that," I said. "I'll send a messenger. It's been a while since I've been to Forcadel and I don't know quite what I'm getting myself into down there." I cleared my throat. "Would it also be all right if I sent Joella and her forces back to Skorsa? I'm not sure we have room for them at the camp just yet."

  "I suppose," Luard said with a mock sigh. "Shall I also send some funds your way? Seems like you're constantly in need of them."

  "If all goes according to plan, Beswick's operation should be providing all the funds we need for the foreseeable future," I said. "Hopefully."

  "Would you like to say goodbye to the prisoner?" Luard asked, walking to the door.

  "Oh, I really would," I said with a grin.

  When the door opened, Beswick was sitting on a stool in the corner of a small prison cell. He looked older than the last time I'd seen him, but just as confident. If I hadn't known what was in store for him, I might've thought he'd won, instead of being the one in chains.

  "This is nice," I said, exhaling. "I like seeing you behind bars."

  He snorted. "As I told your Niemenian prince, prisons can't keep me. I have friends in Niemen who can sway Ariadna to let me go."

  "Mm, I don't think she'll listen," I said. "You've pissed her off, and that's a hard thing to do. The Niemenian royal family don't get mad easily. I'm afraid this is the end of the road for you."

  He made a face.

  "Defiant until the end, I can respect that," I said.

  "Why are you here? Just to gloat?"

  "I wanted to imprint this in my memory," I said. "The day you finally released your death grip on my city and people."

  "Death grip." He snorted. "I barely had a finger on them. Ilara's the one you should've been focused on."

  "I am focused on her," I said.

  "Are you? You've spent a lot of time with me," Beswick said.

  "A day. I spent a day on you," I said, but it unleashed a flurry of anxiety in my chest. "And only because you wouldn't cooperate. I wanted to be allies, but you ignored my overtures."

  He just smiled and sat back. "It's nearly sundown."

  Something twinged in the back of my mind. "What does that matter? What did you do?"

  "Me?" He shook his head. "Nothing. Others, though…" He shrugged. "I always have a contingency plan. Surely, you should know that by now."

  Chapter 53

  "We have to leave. Go back to camp," I said, running out onto the quarterdeck. "I don't know what he did, but he did something."

  "What?" Luard said.

  "Slow down." Felix put both hands on my shoulders. "What are you talking about?"

  "Beswick, something… He did something. The way he was talking." My heart was pounding, and I couldn't wipe the vision of the kids back at camp from my mind. But what could he have done? His forces were here.

  "Brynna," Felix said, cupping my face. "Are you sure he's not just messing with you? We've won. He's in our custody. There's nothing more that he can do."

  I pushed him away. They didn't understand Beswick like I did. If he had a contingency plan, if he was still wearing that smirk, he'd planned something else.

  My gaze fell on Ignacio, who was sitting on a crate in the back of the ship, along with the others who'd agreed to help me.

  Lip curled, I marched over to him. "You," I said, pointing my finger at his chest. "What's your boss planning?"

  "W-what?" He made a face. "What are you talking about?"

  "He said he had a contingency plan," I said. "What is it?"

  "I…don't know," he said, shaking his head. "He didn't tell me what it was."

  "But it's coming."

  "I have no idea."

  I pulled my knife from my hip and pressed it to his neck. "I will bleed you dry here and now if you don't start talking."

  "I have no idea," Ignacio said, raising his hands. "He didn't let me know half of what he was up to lately. Too paranoid that someone was going to leak his plans."

  "Brynn—" Felix began but I hissed at him.

  "He knows more than he's saying."

  "She's right," Katarine said behind me. "I saw him at the castle. During the celebrations. Luisa said you were helping Ilara with something."

  Ignacio went a little pale. "I was merely ferrying messages from Beswick."

  My heart fell into my stomach. "What kind of messages? Why was Beswick talking with Ilara? What—"

  "Insurance," Ignacio said, as I pressed the knife harder into his skin. "On the off chance you were successful. He wanted to have an in with the queen."

  "What is his plan?" I snarled.

  "I swear to the Mother, I don't know!" Ignacio said.

  I nearly threw a punch, but instead I turned back to Felix, who finally looked appropriately worried. "We need to get back to camp. Now."

  Every second we wasted was another knife to my gut, but finally, after some wrangling, a group of soldiers, including myself, Felix, Katarine, the Niemenians—with Beswick locked in their carriage—and a smattering of other Forcadelian guards set off north. Joella remained in the city to organize the chaos we'd left behind, including moving the rest of Beswick's forces nor
th to meet us. I had no idea where I was going to put all of them, but that was a faraway problem for now.

  "There are no reports of any armies in any direction," Felix said. "If she promised him backup, it never arrived."

  But my fear wasn't that something was coming, it was that something had already happened. I had an uneasy feeling in the bottom of my stomach, a sense that something had gone terribly wrong. Beswick was a man who dealt personal blows—he didn't kill you, he killed your entire family and made you watch.

  As we left the main road, veering north across the plains toward the forest, the grass below looked trampled. More so than normal—like an army had just come by. I kicked my horse to move faster.

  "Brynna, we can't keep this pace up," Felix called, coming up beside me. "The horses need a rest."

  "They can rest back at camp."

  "They won't make it there," Katarine called, a little further behind me. "Felix is right. We can spare ten minutes."

  They could stay behind. I wouldn't be able to breathe until I saw the gates of my camp for myself.

  Finally, as the moon appeared on the horizon, the forest came into view. The butterflies turned to a swarm of bees in my stomach. It looked normal, but something whispered to me on the wind that what I would find inside was anything but.

  "Wait," Felix said, as I dismounted and started toward the forest on foot. "You can't go in there by yourself. We'll all go."

  "It could be an ambush," I said. "Let me go in—"

  "Brynn."

  "Ilara wants me alive," I said, remembering what Beswick had said. "If I'm not out in ten minutes, come after me."

  "I'm going with you." Felix drew his sword. I should've argued more, but I didn't have the energy. I just needed to see my camp.

  As soon as I set foot inside the forest, dread filled my entire being. It was silent. No whistles, no rustling in the trees. Whether it was my fear or foreboding, the energy had shifted.

  "Brynn…"

  I looked behind me at Felix, who'd gone pale. Slowly, I turned around and my eyes adjusted to the darkness. What I'd thought was underbrush at first was actually…