Through long corridors of stone and occasional open spaces we moved from prison to palace. The stone changed from dark rough granite to white limestone, polished and carved with intricate script. Prison yards changed to kitchen gardens through to lordly precincts. I felt itchy and sweaty in the heat of the sun, now bearing down on our unprotected and unaccustomed heads.
The guards stopped before a grand arch with no door and one of them announced our presence. We were ushered into a room and courtyard combined, reminding me of Lance Fitzwilliam’s home, inherited from the half-bred Salamander, Rafe. Tall slim columns and fountains of clean, crystal clear water formed a circle of stone trees and streams with small bridges over them. The guards encouraged us over one of the bridges and I saw fish ambling about through lilies. It was quite the most beautiful space and I wondered if I could do this to the throne room in Camelot.
We rounded a corner, guided by a perfectly lovely path in golden stone, and I finally laid eyes on our rescuers.
Galahad stood next to Lance and Raven. My hands slid from Torvec’s shoulder and I smiled at the sight of them. Galahad frowned at Torvec but managed to muster a wink for me. Lance appeared relieved and Raven grinned. The three of them stood near a man who sat on a heavily cushioned low bench, covered in rich fabric. He wore robes of white, bordered in richest blue and purple. His hair lay in heavily oiled ringlets of deepest black and his eyes were coaled. Young, handsome, dark skinned and fine boned – if I wasn’t wearing chains I’d have flirted.
Torvec bowed, so did I, because manners cost nothing. My friends were not in chains, therefore we weren’t about to die.
“Lord Pendragon, I believe,” the young man said in flawlessly in Common.
“Your Eminence, Lord Eamo,” I said.
“So you know who has you prisoner,” he said. Jewels and gold glinted off his hands and neck as he moved.
“I prefer to think of you as my host for the moment, until we sort this little mess out,” I said and smiled.
A well maintained black eyebrow rose. “Your host... Hmmm, very well but as a host I tend to treat my guests a little better.”
“Merely an oversight, your Eminence.”
A small chuckle left his lips. “That is kind of you, Lord Pendragon.”
“The people of Camelot pride ourselves on our understanding.”
“So I gather from your friend here, Lord Fitzwilliam,” Eamo said and his hand waved toward Lance.
I glanced at my friend and saw the shadows under his eyes. “He is a worthy and trusted member of my court.” I watched Lance’s eyes slide from mine and his cheeks grow pale. He’d done something I wasn’t going to like.
“I wonder...” Eamo said. He glanced at Galahad, whose eyes were fixed firmly on me. None of the men were armed but I didn’t think that would stop Galahad if they tried to separate us, he radiated desperation. Eamo continued, “I have been presented with something of a problem, Lord Pendragon. Orders were sent from The City, directly to me, to ensure your arrest and the return of both you and the du Lac children to The City – post haste. Although I was happy to comply with the arrest warrant I decided I needed to find out why the children of the Royal House of Albion were down here, unescorted and unannounced. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the reasons.”
I glanced at the others. Galahad nodded slightly, which I took to mean he’d told Eamo everything. “It’s been a difficult few weeks, your Eminence.”
“And it’s about to be a difficult few weeks for me if I don’t hand you over, Loholt Pendragon. The Lady of the Lake made it very clear she would not tolerate insubordination. And she is desperate to get her hands on the white Salamander, he’s been a very naughty boy by all accounts,” Eamo said. He moved, resting his elbows on his knees, and his eyes were direct. This young man wasn’t a fool.
I paused for a moment before answering, ensuring he knew I chose my words with care. “To be honest, your Eminence, I am surprised I am not already on my way to The City. I believe I am not on my way because you have something else in mind, something that my friends here have taken it upon themselves to deal with on my behalf.”
He smiled and his eyes softened, he couldn’t be much older than Galahad. “My father heard good things about you from the Salamander traders who’d known you when you worked on the borders. He told me to watch you carefully when you gained the throne as you would prove to be a useful ally or a dangerous enemy.”
I bowed my head in acknowledgement of the compliment. “Thank you, your Eminence. Though it sounds as if my accomplishments have been overstated. I have only ever worked in the manner that would bring honour to the Royal House of Pendragon.” Unfortunately I usually fell wide of that exacting mark.
“This far from the tight oversight of the Senate and the Royal House of Albion we are independent of the throne we are obedient to,” he said and glanced at Galahad. “So when The City and her politics interfere in the running of my city and her crown lands, I tend to be more than at little annoyed. Our obedience and acceptance of The City’s over-lordship is minimal.”
“I understand,” I said.
“I hope you do because I’m not certain your young protégé does,” Eamo said.
I looked at Galahad again and his face flushed with anger. “The Prince is a man of principle and those principles include protecting Camelot and his family at all costs,” I said, hoping I understood Galahad well enough to predict he hadn’t taken my incarceration well.
Eamo’s amusement at my careful words made it clear he’d understood me, even if Galahad didn’t look happy.
“All that said, I would like to build closer ties with The City and her other client states in the north, trade is important to us all and Prince Galahad has made it clear that sea voyages will be more common once he has control of the throne in a year.”
I didn’t look at Galahad. I didn’t want to think about how he’d make it happen or what he’d agreed to after our mad escape plan from the Mer King. On that subject I didn’t want to have a voice.
“He knows how to make the most out of opportunities,” I said.
“So do I,” Eamo said.
The three men standing near him shifted and I knew we were about to hit a problem.
“I have a proposal. I will lie to The Lady of the Lake. I will deny you were ever here, and you get to keep your white Salamander, on two conditions, the first – Camelot and The City send men to help me maintain control. I have a little problem inside my borders and I would like to have it stopped. Your people would be more manageable in a fight – kin on kin don’t like to remain loyal to those they serve. Second, I have a sister. She needs a husband and you have a prince in need of a wife.”
CHAPTER FIVE
I could see Galahad’s chest rising and falling quickly, his cheeks were flushed red and his lips were thin. The scars were painfully obvious.
“Um, well... Your Eminence, you certainly know how to make the most out of a situation to sail into your port,” I said.
“That’s what good leadership is all about,” Eamo said.
“May I speak to my people?” I asked.
He nodded and flicked a look at our guards. I found a hand pushing my shoulder and Torvec’s. We were not released from our chains, but I didn’t blame Eamo; he’d obviously been forced to deal with a distressed Galahad and a stressed Lance.
We were ushered to one side, out of earshot of everyone but the guards. I guessed they would understand Common, so I opted to speak in Camelot’s native tongue.
“Can you understand me?” I asked Galahad the moment he and the others joined me.
“Yes, but speak slowly, it’s not something I’m used to,” he said in Camelot’s tongue. I heard the panic in his voice as well, so I reached with my chained hands for his and gripped them hard.
“I’m alright, Galahad. Everything is fine, we are all alive and none of us have been hurt.” He stared into my eyes and the wild panic I saw there was too naked and raw.
“You’re in
chains and you don’t know how awful you look,” he whispered.
I smiled. “Thanks, my friend.”
“Holt –”
“I know, but Torvec has kept me safe. He’s looking after me and it’s been fine. We’ve been fine.”
Galahad’s eyes shot to Torvec and the naked hate scared me slightly. I felt Torvec move back, behind me.
“Everything is fine, I just need to know what’s happening,” I said, looking at Raven and Lance.
They shared a long glance. “It’s been a tricky few days,” Raven said.
“I didn’t have any choice if I wanted to stop you from being sent to The Lady,” Lance added.
“Alright, but tell me everything,” I said.
Lance shifted with discomfort. “I had to act as your surrogate. My signature is as binding as your own. I have pledged Camelot’s troops to help him control his own people.”
“We are going to help prop up a regime that the people don’t like?” I asked.
“And the rebel slaves who are fighting against his Eminence’s leadership and have been for years,” Lance said quietly. He knew perfectly well he’d betrayed the fundamental principles of Camelot’s own charter of freedom. “If I hadn’t done it, we would have lost you.”
“We’ve managed to negotiate the proviso that our people are used in a peace keeping role and not in open combat,” Raven said, equally uncomfortable.
“Well, that’s something. You did well, Lance,” I touched his hand to draw his eyes to mine. “I would have done the same thing to save you or Raven.”
“I know what this means to Camelot, I am so sorry, Sire,” he said, close to tears.
“We will deal with it, even if I have to fight myself,” I said. “The goal is to keep us together and out of The Lady’s hands.”
Lance nodded, though he clearly burned with shame. Was I angry? Of course I was fucking angry, my men, my people, my money would be used to shore up a regime I didn’t like and didn’t believe in but Lance had done the only thing he could and I wasn’t going to punish him for saving my life.
Next I turned to Galahad. “Right, marriage – explain.”
His jaw clenched and his dark eyes bored into Torvec. “I had to save you, there was no option.”
“I think there are some details missing, Galahad,” I said, shifting into his eye line to break his control over Torvec.
He moved that penetrating gaze to me and I learned why people feared his father without Lancelot ever having to open his mouth. “I had to save your life. I can marry whomever I choose for whatever reason. My father didn’t marry for love, he married for politics. I need to marry for politics.”
“But he had Tancred and Morgana understood everything – they were older, wiser...” I tried.
“I have nothing, no one to hurt or confuse. You have Torvec and you are alive, here, that’s all that matters. I will do whatever is necessary to keep you safe.” There were ten thousand unsaid words and thoughts in those simple sentences. We stared at each other for a long time, memories overwhelming us both.
I found my voice first. “Have you met her?” I asked quietly.
He nodded. “She is six years my junior. Slim, dark, full-blooded fey. She is demure, quiet. Not like my sisters.” And he sounded so sad about that as well.
“Galahad...”
“It is the honourable thing to do, we need help, we need to keep you safe.” His dark brown eyes were so tragic it hurt my heart. He took my hands. “I made you a promise, Holt. I have to protect you, no matter what, and marriage is my destiny. At least this means something to me.”
“But we...”
“There is no ‘we’, my friend. You have Torvec and I will not break the vows I have made to my betrothed,” he spoke slowly and quietly.
“Galahad, Torvec and I aren’t lovers. If you want to –”
His hand reached for my jaw. I heard Torvec’s whimper of hurt in response to my love for Galahad du Lac. “Holt, I...” Those dark eyes, I read so much there but could I trust what I saw? Or perhaps my own desires were interpreting his silent words.
“I don’t have to sign this document,” I said.
“I have to marry someone, Holt. I am not like you.”
“You keep saying that, but I’m not convinced,” I told him.
He smiled. “I am doing the right thing, it’s just scary and I need my friend to support me. I don’t like being here without you, the last few days without you at my side have been the worst of my life. I need you, Holt.”
“I will always be here. Always,” I whispered.
“Then sign the contract and sanction your release. I need you,” he whispered.
I nodded and led the others toward Eamo. The young man’s eyes were eager and he knew he’d managed to create something of a coup by trapping Galahad into marriage.
I stood, still in chains, with Torvec my silent shadow, and thought about how to deal with this situation. “Eminence, I think you are a shrewd man but I should speak to the young lady involved. I would rather be transported back to The Lady than allow my friend to make a mistake. Marriage isn’t just politics, it’s about who you have to share your life with and they should both be able to commit to it freely.”
“My sister will do as she is told.”
“I am aware of that, but indulge me, please,” I said.
Eamo’s mouth thinned. My resolution disturbed him and I wondered why. “Fine, you may meet with my sister.”
“Thank you, Eminence.” I bowed.
He clapped his hands and an attendant hurried to his side, a panicked and whispered conversation occurred and the man scuttled off.
“You may wash and eat before you meet with my sister,” Eamo said.
I bowed once more and the guard touched my shoulder again to encourage me to move. Torvec and I were separated from the others, Galahad trying to follow but prevented by more guards. We might be in the middle of a delicate negotiation but it was clear who held all the control.
We were shown into a small room with a sink of running water and a table of fruits and cheeses. My mouth started to water at once and my stomach lurched in desperation. The door was hardly shut before I descended on the food. It took me a while but I finally noticed Torvec wasn’t sharing my noisy and appreciative devotion.
I stopped devouring some soft and sweet fruit I’d never seen before, cheeks stuffed like a rodent and juice everywhere. “What’s wrong?”
Torvec picked at some flat bread. “I’ve lost you again. It’ll just take me a while to adjust. I’m sorry.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked round the food.
“Galahad is once more your focus. I understand. He means a great deal to you.” I watched him nibble a peach.
I swallowed my mouthful of food and poured us both a large cup of wine. I handed him the drink and stepped up close. His strange eyes dilated heavily, becoming almost totally round and engulfing the dark blue of his irises.
“He’s signing his life away. He’s an honourable man and is sacrificing his free will to be with someone he might never love to save my life. Whether he would ever take me as a lover again or not, it doesn’t matter, I’ve fought for my right to love who I chose and I know what it is to have the threat of marriage hanging over you. I will have to marry or abdicate. I will abdicate.” Torvec gasped at my words and they surprised me. I’d pondered the problem for years but never consciously reached a decision but I knew I was right; I’d spoken from my heart. I would not leave Camelot without an heir and I couldn’t give her one. My father might have enjoyed the company of the right woman in his bed as well as Lancelot but not me, I knew what I was, no woman existed who’d make me able to breed.
“I’m scared for him. He reacts to situations without thinking them through, it’s how we ended up in bed together and how he came to regret it. Galahad is not a bad man, he’s young, inexperienced and panicking. I know how all those things feel, but when I was his age I had my father and Lancelot t
o help me. He has nothing but me and I’m not my father or the Black Wolf of Albion. And yes, I still love him. I always will. He doesn’t like you and I need you to understand that he has to come first right now. I have to find a way to make him accept us without hurting him or threatening him.”
“Us?” Torvec asked in a small voice. Tears stood proud in his eyes. They were shining jewels and I wanted to stare into them forever.
I nodded slowly. “It’ll take time but we’re learning, Torvec. I want to build something with you but it must be on terms that give Galahad and me friendship without a challenge from a jealous lover.”
Torvec’s chained hands reached for my messy jaw, fruit stuck to my face and beard. “Lover?”
I managed a small smile. “It is the name you hold in my life even if we will have to wait to consummate the act. I can’t give you much right now for all sorts of reasons but given time we should be able to straighten everything out.”
“I promise I’ve not laid spells inside you to say these things,” he whispered.
“I know. I know but the others don’t and that’ll take time. Just please, Torvec, don’t get in the way of my friendship with Galahad. He has to come first and not just because I love him, he is Camelot’s future and if I am ever to be rid of my crown, I need him safe and secure – it would also be good if he was happy. So I need to meet this woman and work out how to free him if necessary.”
“May I kiss you?” Torvec asked. He quivered with a love I don’t think I understood and it was another worry to add to my increasingly long list.
“I think you should wait until I’ve cleaned my face and seen to my teeth,” I said.
Torvec wasn’t going to be put off by a prickly beard; he leaned toward me, closed those bright eyes and his lips touched mine. He drew back just a little and whispered, “I love you.”
I swallowed hard. I really found his intensity worrying. I took hold of his hands and pulled back. “Just bide your time, Torvec, and I’m sure it’ll all be fine,” I said quietly and firmly.
He nodded, appeased by my declaration. I meant it – I thought of him as my lover, but... Current or past? I was still a bit confused on the subject. I just needed him to help me keep everything moving smoothly to get us away from this place.
The Du Lac Legacy (Sons of Camelot Book 2) Page 3
