“He’s trying to save face. Don’t worry, we got what we wanted.”
Amaroq rose to his feet. “He believes I will fail to lead my people. He has no faith in me.”
“It doesn’t matter, Wolf,” urged Kalas. “We got what we needed.”
“It matters, Kalas. It matters to me.”
Kalas held up a placating hand. “Of course, I realize that.”
“You’ve never cared what he thought before,” said Shandar. “Why are you concerned now? He’s a paper lion, Wolf.”
Amaroq motioned to the cave opening. “How can he want me to stay in Tirsbor when he has no respect for me? He doesn’t think I’m capable of anything more than studying books!”
Nakoda glanced over his shoulder, frowning.
“Wolf…” began Shandar.
“No, Shandar. Don’t try to reason this away! The Nazarien want me to stay here, in this canyon, but why? They have no respect for me and when they have no respect for me, they have no respect for my father.”
With that he turned and left the cave.
Naia rose and went after him.
Silence fell.
Finally Shandar cleared his throat. “He’s wrong about one thing.”
Kalas glanced up at him, arching a brow.
“They had no respect for your father either. He just didn’t give a damn.”
* * *
Naia found her brother brushing a beautiful black stallion in the paddock. She leaned on the fence, watching him for a moment before he realized she was there. He gave the stallion one final brush as he moved toward her.
‘I shouldn’t have left like that. I let anger control me.’
She shrugged. ‘There have been many changes in our lives lately. Anger is reasonable.’
He smiled at her. ‘I don’t feel anger in you. I feel happiness.’
‘I am happy, Wolf. I was given a gift, a new chance at life. You don’t get those often.’
‘When I thought you were gone, I wasn’t sure how I’d accept it, but you saved yourself. You took control of your life. I need to do that, but as long as I stay here, I won’t be able to. You saw the way Tovan dismissed me.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘Tovan’s an idiot.’
Amaroq laughed. ‘He is. Why does he want me to stay here, Naia? He has no faith in me.’
‘You’re a trophy, Wolf. A possession he doesn’t want to lose.’
‘Then I have to leave.’
‘Come to Dorland with me.’
Amaroq looked off into the distance. She touched his hand, drawing his attention back to her.
‘What?’
‘He’s not wrong, Naia. I don’t think I can stay in Dorland. Too many people. But Kalas asked me to go to Temeron with him. We have a sister there. He thinks she can teach me to control my power.’
Naia felt a wash of sadness. She’d never been without her brother. If he went to Temeron, would he ever return? Suddenly she realized he’d discovered a whole part of his family that she didn’t share, that she wasn’t a part of, and she felt alone for the first time.
He touched her under the chin and lifted her eyes to his. ‘You’ll always be my favorite sister,’ he signed to her.
She smiled and climbed on the fence, reaching over to hug him. He hugged her in return. No one had understood her this way, until she’d met Aiden and Le.
He released her and his eyes went over her shoulder. Naia turned, then smiled when she saw Aiden approaching the paddock.
“Kalas said Dancing Thunder was here,” he said. He touched Naia’s back, then ducked between the crossbars to stroke the stallion’s muzzle. The horse pushed Aiden in the chest, snuffling him enthusiastically. Aiden laughed and hugged him. “I didn’t even realize who he was riding yesterday, I was so intent on stopping the wedding.”
Amaroq signed for Naia’s benefit. “He’s a fine animal. He remembers you.”
Aiden looked over his shoulder, nodding. “Loyalty’s hard to find.” He turned and held out his hand for Amaroq. “Your sister has spoken of you a lot.”
Amaroq took his hand. “Thank you for seeing her home.”
Aiden glanced at her and the smile he gave her warmed her inside. “She saved my life. Without her, I wouldn’t have made it through that first night.”
‘I asked Amaroq to come to Dorland with us,’ she told him.
Amaroq translated.
“Of course. You have a permanent home with us.”
Amaroq inclined his head. “I appreciate it, but Tovan’s not wrong about me. I’d find it paralyzing to be in such a large city for an extended time.”
Aiden nodded. “I understand, but know the door is always open.”
“Thank you.”
“Come meet Dancing Thunder,” said Aiden, reaching through the fence for her. She ducked between the crossbars and straightened beside him. He led her to the stallion.
The animal tossed his head and Naia smiled, then he allowed her to stroke his soft muzzle.
“This is the finest mount any man has ever had.”
She liked his enthusiasm. When he talked about the horse, the lines of worry eased in his gaunt face.
“He saved my life,” he told them. “Once when I went out riding on my own, three men chased me…” He stopped and his smile vanished.
‘Aiden?’ Naia signed.
He stepped away from the horse and leaned on the fence, bowing his head. Amaroq and Naia exchanged a look, then Naia went to him and touched his back. He looked up at her. “The men chased me back to the castle. They almost overtook me, but if it hadn’t been for Thunder, I would have died that day.” His eyes searched her face. “Naia, those three men were Duard, Hogan and Elvert.”
“Hogan is dead,” said Amaroq, his hands making the signs. “He can’t hurt you anymore. Nakoda killed him. I watched him die. And Elvert is under the control of the Baron.”
“What about Duard?”
Amaroq shook his head.
Aiden pulled Naia in against him and she wrapped her arms around his waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head and held her tight. She felt the vibration of his voice and turned so she could see Amaroq’s signs.
‘Duard needs to die.’
On that she could agree.
* * *
Amaroq and Kalas, trailed by Dolan, entered Amaroq’s cavern later that night. Amaroq’s mother was cooking on her stove, but Shandar was filling a pack with clothing from their shelves. Amaroq slowed and frowned at him.
“You were serious about going to war, Shandar?”
“I’ve gone to war before.”
Kalas rolled his eyes. “Uncle, you’re too damn old to be so frisky. Stay here until it’s over and we’ll come by before we go to Adishian.”
“I’m going to Adishian with you, then to Temeron.”
Amaroq and Kalas exchanged a look. “Hold on, old man,” said Kalas, moving toward him. “You’re going to Temeron?”
“I haven’t seen my niece in years. I owe her a visit.”
Amaroq gave his mother a concerned look. “What about my mother?”
“What about her?” said Kaelene, glancing over her shoulder.
“You’re going to leave my mother?”
Shandar started to answer, but Kaelene turned from the stove, holding a spoon in her hand. “Of course not. He’d never survive without me.”
“She’s right,” said Shandar with a nod.
Amaroq frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m coming with you,” said Kaelene, setting the spoon on the stove.
“You’re coming to Temeron?”
“That’s right.”
“You haven’t left Tirsbor in thirty years.”
“Neither have you, but you proved you could do it. So can I.” She clapped her hands on Amaroq’s shoulders. “You wanted to hear the old stories. Well, here’s a new one for you. I should have left with Talar when I had the chance, but I was too afraid. I could have seen the entire world, but I didn’t.
” She touched his nose. “Now, I’m going on an adventure before it’s too late.”
Kalas laughed, slapping Amaroq on the back. “Don’t know how you argue with that.”
Amaroq moved forward and kissed his mother on the forehead. “I’d be proud to have an adventure with you, Mama,” he said.
CHAPTER 26
“Stay still, Your Highness, or I’m afraid I’ll stick you with this pin,” said Everard, crouching at Adison’s feet.
Adison glanced down at him, then shoved him away, jumping off the stool and stalking across the room. “This isn’t right either. I want it grander. Find the most expensive material in the land and make me some decent clothes. These all feel like rags.” He tore the jacket off and threw it on the floor.
“That is the finest Dorlandian weave, Your Highness.”
“I don’t want Dorlandian weave! Send to Loden for it. I want what their King wears.”
Everard gave him a puzzled look.
“Can’t you do that?”
“I’m not sure, Your Highness. Which king? There are six of them.”
“The High King!” He waved his hand impatiently. “The Lord of Loden or whatever. Kiameron’s son! Make my bedamned brother send a bird. We send them to Loden, right? Don’t we.”
“I don’t know, Your Highness.”
“Why don’t you know?” said Adison, approaching him.
“This isn’t my area. These are the things Lyell Vito handled.”
“Well, Lyell Vito isn’t here!” he said, leaning over him.
“Right.” He ducked his head. “Right.” He clasped his hands together. “What do you want me to do about the jacket?”
“It’s not good enough!” Adison shouted. Lord, did he have to tell people things a thousand times?
“It was good enough for Aiden,” Everard muttered.
Adison could feel his blood pressure surge. He backhanded the valet and sent him sprawling. Pins and buttons scattered everywhere, and Everard scrambled around, trying to pick them up.
Usually this would amuse him, but right now he found it pathetic. No one in this bedamned kingdom knew how to do their damn jobs. He grabbed Everard by the collar of his uniform, hauling him up and placing his mouth near the valet’s ear.
“Have Alasdair send a damn bird to Loden…” His thoughts suddenly coalesced and he threw Everard away from him. The birds? There was no pen for Loden. Except he knew Aiden communicated with them. Where was the pen for Loden? Why hadn’t Alasdair or Gib mentioned those birds? There had to be more than thirty birds, but Gib had been emphatic that all birds were accounted for. “Why was there a missing bird?”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness?”
Adison ignored him, striding toward his chamber door and pulling it open. He grabbed the first guard he found and threw him in front of him. “Get my brother out of the library and bring him to the Audience Hall.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the guard said, hurrying away.
Adison stalked down the hallway toward the Audience Chamber, glaring at anyone who didn’t immediately drop their eyes at his approach. Grabbing the handles on both doors, he threw them open and walked down the center aisle, climbing the dais to his throne.
Slumping in the seat, he stared around at the guards, wondering if any of them were plotting against him. He was probably going to have to create a loyalty test, or else dismiss the lot of them and hire new ones. Damn it all, why hadn’t he thought of that before?
He’d taken Aiden’s guards and thought he could make them his own. He should have had them executed and replaced them with Nazarien from Chernow. Those bastards knew how to be loyal. Look at Halish’s almost obsessive alliance to Talar Eldralin’s bastard. Of course, Halish had betrayed his Nazar and plotted against him, but he damn near glowed with religious fervor whenever he spoke of Eldralin’s spawn. That’s what he needed. He needed followers who treated him like a God.
If Eldon could have such people even after he was dead, why couldn’t he?
His hands curled around the arms of his throne.
Why was there a missing bird?
He pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. Think! Think! Think! He was so sleep deprived, his head felt constantly foggy.
Why was there a missing bird?
He pulled that day up in his memory. Halish had appeared, telling him Aiden had gone into the Ethicon. If he made it out of the river alive, he would head toward Tirsbor, the closest location where he could get help.
Surely someone would have contacted Adison to tell him his brother was alive by now. If he’d made it to Tirsbor, a bird would be sent with the news, right? Unless they’d gotten warning that Adison had plotted against his brother.
Alasdair appeared in the entrance to the Audience Chamber, blinking behind his thick glasses. He was disheveled and rumpled, looking like he’d slept in the clothes he wore. Two guards followed him to a spot before the King’s dais and stood behind him at attention. Alasdair looked over his shoulder at the guards, then gave Adison a puzzled look.
“What’s this about, Adison? Why did you have me dragged out of the library like a criminal?”
Adison leaned back in the throne, stroking a hand over his chin. “Why was there a missing bird?”
“What?”
“In the dovecote the other morning, there was a missing bird. Why?”
Alasdair shook his head. “I told you. The bird was sent to Adishian to seek help from Kalas Eldralin.”
“Has it returned?”
“Has it returned?”
“Yes, has the bird been returned to us?”
Alasdair shrugged his narrow shoulders. “I’d have to ask Gib.”
Adison studied him, stroking a hand along his jaw. “Right, ask Gib. And while you’re asking Gib, could you ask him where the birds are for Loden?”
“What?”
“The Lodenian birds. I know Aiden communicated with Loden on occasion. Where are those birds?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t work with the birds as closely as Gib.”
“I see.”
“Why do you want to send a bird to Loden?”
Adison shrugged. “I want new fabrics and everything we have here in Nevaisser isn’t good enough.” He slung a leg over the arm of the throne, sinking further into the seat. “Don’t you find it odd the way people worship other men?”
Alasdair gave him a bewildered look. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“Well, Eldon for one. He’s been dead, what? Seventy years or so?”
“Give or take.”
“And yet he still has followers, he still has people devoutly loyal to him.” He held out his hands. “Where are my followers, Alasdair?”
Alasdair shifted weight. “Adison, you aren’t well.”
“Oh, I’m well enough. See, I’ve been sitting here thinking that I can’t trust anyone around me. Do you know how distressing that is, Alasdair? I can’t trust a single person in this castle.”
“You have to earn that trust, Adison.”
“Really? You’d school me on being King?”
“I’m trying to help.”
“Right.” He gave a wry shake of his head. “You’re trying to help, but you know what Alasdair?”
“What, Adison?”
Adison leaned forward in his chair. “I don’t trust you.”
“I’ve tried to do what you’ve asked me to. I don’t know what more I can do.”
“Where is the missing bird!” Adison shouted, rising to his feet.
Alasdair took an involuntary step back. “In Adishian, Adison.”
Adison pointed a finger at him. “If you lie to me, brother, if you lie, I swear I’ll kill you. Do you understand me? I will kill you.”
“I understand.”
Adison forced himself to take a seat again, gripping the arms of his throne. “You’d expect a brother to be loyal to you, Alasdair. You’d expect you can trust family.”
Alasdair’s head
lifted and he met Adison’s gaze. “Yes, you would, Adison. You’d especially expect that from your family.”
Adison gave a laugh, then tilted his head. “All I want is some followers, you know? Like Eldon has, just a few, just a few loyal followers who would die defending me. Is that so much to ask for, Alasdair?”
Alasdair looked away again. “No, Adison. It’s not too much to ask.”
“No, it isn’t.” Adison slumped back in the throne. “So glad we had this talk, brother.” He made a motion with his hand. “You can go. Guards, escort my brother back to the library. See that he isn’t disturbed.”
The guards bowed and led Alasdair from the room. Adison stroked his jaw and watched him go. Damn it all, he still wanted to know what happened to the missing bird?
* * *
Adison found himself standing at the bottom of the hill with the gravestone shining above him. He remembered being in this cemetery before, but he still couldn’t place where it was. He turned and looked over the undulating hills of gravestones, stretching on into the distance.
“Your time is coming,” came a voice.
Adison whipped around, searching for the speaker, but he was alone. He could hear his own breath, wheezing in and out of him in a panic.
“You would be a god? You?”
Adison wanted to run, but his legs wouldn’t move. He felt rooted to this spot. “No.” The sound came out of him weak and frail.
“Who would follow a pretend King?”
Recognition swamped Adison. He knew the voice. Halish. Looking around frantically, he tried to locate the Nazarien, but there was just him and the graves and the hill and that one glowing headstone. Alone. All alone.
But not alone.
Something swept by him, a breath of air on his face, the touch of velvet soft feathers. The bird swept low, then lifted at the last second, landing on the headstone, bathed in the eerie light that shone down from above.
The missing bird.
A hand clamped on the back of his neck and propelled him upward. He struggled to turn and see his attacker, but the hand held his head immobile. He stumbled over the uneven ground, nearly falling, but the hand kept pushing him up, up, toward the gravestone and the yawning black hole of the open grave.
The World of Samar Box Set 3 Page 130
