The local affinity with Arkaelyon’s only daughter was understandable of course, if ridiculously conceived. Her father was principally responsible for ending the two hundred year war Arkaelyon and her allies had waged to repatriate her ancient capital from the Vafusolum Empire, and which had broken out shortly after the fall of beloved Brutarius. King Paul de Brie was also the architect of the Grand Assembly of Realms, which had restored wealth as well as peace to the region, and Danielle de Brie was very much her father’s daughter.
“What idiots, the lot of them. If only they knew what a monster she will become, they may not cheer so loudly. ”
Lea stopped suddenly as she saw the column of riders approaching under Dorian’s Arch at the far end of the main street. Danielle de Brie rode at its head, her friend, the soldierly Lady of Corenbald beside her. Both were covered in dust from the long ride from Summerset and despite their gracious acknowledgements to the crowd who had gathered to welcome them, they looked to be bone weary.
Lea bit back her building anger. Many of her ancestors had died at the hand of a woman such as this one. She crossed her arms and skulked back into the shadow of the curtain as the two princesses rode beneath her window at a fast trot. It was obvious the knights around them, particularly those around Danielle, were expecting trouble, and were ready to meet it with the same resolve they’d used against those who had attacked the Arkaelyus.
“I’d love to be the one to kill her,” Lea said as much to herself as the other two people in the room with her.
“Lea, you have seen enough. Now get away from the window,” Keira said. The High Priestess was kneeling at the edge of the room’s small hearth, her long black hair loose on her shoulders as she consulted the bones she had just cast into the ashes. She’d been doing as much for the last hour, casting and considering, casting and considering and muttering to herself with growing irritation.
Lea watched a moment longer and then drew the curtains. Whatever revulsion Danielle de Brie provoked in her, one could not deny the terrifying power that emanated from Arkaelyon’s first lady. Even with her anointing only just begun her aura was already turning purple and the white rings at its edge were clearly visible for those who had eyes to see such things.
The sight of it made her fret about their chances of pulling off the abductions that they were planning for the last evening of the Grand Assembly. “Her aura is already developing.”
“When it’s deep purple we’ll have reason to worry,” Keira replied.
Lea dared not say anything more. Feeling just a little glum, she retreated to the small table where Allius was sitting. She settled into the chair opposite the tall muscular commander and received an annoyed glance for her troubles.
“Be still child.”
“Sorry, Milord,” she said meekly.
His attention had been fixed on the door, his well honed sword unsheathed and lying casually across his knee. Lea guessed he was likely listening and watching for Lord Mason’s approach with his inner-eye and her fidgeting had interrupted him—which actually surprised her. She hadn’t thought she could be an interruption to one as skilled as he. Usually the Lord Marshal hardly noticed underlings like her.
She felt for anyone who might enter uninvited. Allius’ art with the sword was legendary. He’d likely have their head from their shoulders before they fully stepped across the threshold.
“What do the bones have to say?” The lantern light caught his angular profile as he glanced across the room at their priestess. He was frowning still.
Lea wasn’t exactly sure what was the cause of the tension between Allius and Keira but they had been arguing almost constantly since Lea had arrived in Amthenium. Oddly, at breakfast in their rented house in Amthenium, Keira had announced that she would be accompanying them across the lake to Pelorus to finalise the purchase of the weapons and palace uniforms they would need for the abductions from a local smuggler. Allius had thought the idea ill conceived and needlessly reckless but Keira had the last say on the matter. The undertones of their argument were obvious to all who had been present, but Lea dared not ask what was going on. And no one seemed ready to talk about it.
“I take it from your silence nothing has changed?” Allius said.
Keira drew in a deep breath and sat back on her haunches. “The fates say it will be as we have planned. Success is ours for the taking.”
Allius sniggered, clearly bemused. “If it is so, where is Mason? He should have been here by now. If this is proof of anything it is that we should continue with the plan the council agreed upon.”
Lea looked up sharply. This was the first she had heard of a change of plans.
Keira pocketed her bones and stood to pull on her long coat. She had put out the fire and the room was growing cold with night coming on. The withering glare she aimed at her lover made him shut his mouth but did little to remove the displeasure from his face.
That same glare flicked to Lea and she bowed her head and dared not pry. Even as a niece to an elder of the council, she knew her place was to obey, not ask questions.
“I think he’s cloaked,” Keira said curtly.
The Lord Marshal shook his head and returned his attention to the door. “I didn’t tell him if that’s what you think.”
Keira glare remained fixed on the Lord Marshal. She clearly did not believe him. “Lea. Get your coat on. You’re going to go out and look for Lord Mason.”
The young woman moved at once. Lord Mason had arrived ahead of them to complete the deal for arms and uniforms so she knew he was somewhere in Pelorus’ wharf district. As the High Warden of the Northern coven he was well acquainted with the Pelorus’ underworld and best suited to make the negotiations and arrangements. Lea, too, knew the area well, since her real father had owned a winery in the hill country just outside of Pelorus.
Allius laughed at the idea. “The girl is too green. She’ll draw unwanted attention.”
“I beg to differ!” Keira said. “Lea, once you sense his aura, seek me out, and then go back to the ship, and tell Captain Logan I want a dozen armed men ready to assist Allius. If Lord Mason arrives in the meantime, I’ll find you and call you back.”
“And if I don’t sense him?” Lea said as she buttoned up her coat. Her heart was already pumping hard against her ribs.
Keira approached. She drew her dagger and cut a lock of hair from Lea’s golden mane. “I’ll know.”
As Lea hurried across the room Allius lifted his long sword, blocking her way to the door. “Do not fail us, Lea.”
“I won’t, Milord.”
Her hands shook as she stepped out into the hallway and closed the door. Avoiding the crowded common room and main street beyond, Lea left the inn via the rear door and hurried across the small stabling yard and into an alley. It would have been easier to transform and fly above the roofs of the sprawling trading town, however, in that state her magic was dulled and it would have been increasingly difficult to sense Lord Mason’s aura amongst the host of people below. A gust of wind caught her hair as she walked. She tucked it under her coat and pulled her collar up against the cold. The stench in the alley made her wrinkle her nose in disgust and lengthen her stride.
With the commotion on the main thoroughfare, there were few people on the street at the end of the alley. Even so, lamplight shone from the doorways of taverns and brothels and there were enough people about to notice her passing so she slowed to an inconspicuous walk. As a wagon rattled by, she began to focus her energies and reached out into the ether with her mind. To her surprise she found Lord Mason’s presence with little effort. He was somewhere in the wharf district, no more than half a mile away.
White light suddenly and painfully knifed through her head and Mason’s presence vanished. Lea gasped in shock and staggered into the shadow of a trade shop doorway to gather her senses. Lord Mason had repulsed her approach, but why? She sensed a looming threat out in the night. Yet there was nothing in the street that suggested she was in any da
nger. Several prostitutes were standing in front of a brothel gossiping and a group of drunken sailors had just emerged from an alley singing a bawdy song as they staggered up the road. The windows of the second storey residence were either in darkness or curtained against the night and there was no indication she was being watched.
Not sure what else to do, Lea closed her eyes and reached out for Keira. The priestess was waiting for her.
Fear not, child, I can see what is a-foot. Stay where you are. We are coming to you.
Relieved, Lea waited in the doorway struggling against her fear. By the by, she heard hurried footsteps coming down the road and peeped around the corner. Keira gave her a look and strolled by without a word, Allius walked by her side, his tall solid frame ominous in the gloom.
Lea quickly caught up. She wondered what was going on, but dared not ask.
They crossed the road and walked through a cobbled market square. She knew the place well, had even swum in the large fountain at its centre when she was a child and her father had inherited the family vineyard in the northern hills district. At this hour the merchants, tinkers and traders had closed up shop and gone for the day and they only had the patter of falling water for company and the distant merriment of laughter, music and singing.
It was darker here than in the street. They were on the outskirts of Pelorus’ infamous wharf district. Not sure what they were walking into, Lea unbuttoned her coat a little so she could rest a sweaty hand on the hilt of her short sword.
“Keep your hand off that and whatever happens keep your mouth shut and do not resist them. You hear?” Allius’ voice was quiet and firm.
Them? Lea swallowed hard. She quickly buttoned up her coat. Her mouth was suddenly dry and her heart racing more than ever. “Is Lord Mason all right?” The question slipped out before she could stop herself.
“Safe enough,” Keira said, her sharp look demanding silence.
Lea guessed it was a silly question for the sense of betrayal and anger in the ether around them was growing with each step they took. She wished they’d tell her more. She wished she was more adept with the sight. Unfortunately unlike those around her she hadn’t had hundreds of years to hone the gift.
“This way,” Keira said, suddenly veering into an alley.
Soon they were walking through the narrow back streets of the Pelorus’ wharf district. There wasn’t half the interest in the Lady de Brie’s parade in these squalid parts of the ancient trading town. The taverns were crowded with sailors, hired hands, and mercenaries, with a scattering of young gentlemen and merchants thrown in for good measure. All were drinking and gambling and generally enjoying the festive atmosphere. It was always this way during the weeklong meeting of the Grand Assembly of Realms. The towns around the edge of the Lake of Mist, particularly Pelorus, found themselves inundated with people, hoping to take advantage of the festival and the large contingent of nobles who converged on the region for the tri-monthly meeting of the Grand Assembly. The streets hung thick with the smell of wine, ale, unwashed bodies and roasting meats. The attire of every realm was represented here, as were their languages, with the latter an equally thick jabber in the cool evening air.
Lea stepped around a fight that had broken out on the steps of a brothel and then quickened her pace to keep up with Keira and Allius. The priestess was leading them through the district with determined strides, seemingly oblivious to the catcalls and lustful gazes that accompanied their passing.
It wasn’t far and the narrow back streets gave way to the three wide dusty thoroughfares that ran between the rows of large stone storehouses that dominated the town’s waterfront. Many were used for storing the regions wine. Her father owned one such storehouse not two streets from here.
A night lantern shone here and there and groups of armed men sat in the doorways of storehouses or round fires beside wagon trains, many taking a pipe and sharing a joke and flask of wine as they guarded their employer’s goods.
“Could we be of service, Miladies?” one fellow called out, his friends bursting into laughter around him.
Lea barely noticed the solicitation. Lord Mason’s presence had suddenly made itself felt again. He was communicating with Keira and Allius. What was being said exactly, she could not tell, but Allius didn’t seem to be particularly pleased, nor Lord Mason for that matter—she felt that much at least.
“Down here,” Keira said. “And remember what Allius said; keep your mouth shut and your hand away from your sword.”
Lea steadied her breathing and tried to calm her jagged nerves. It was an unlooked for honour to serve at the priestess’ and Lord Allius’ side and more so since she had been sent here as punishment. She just hoped she was up to the task.
They walked down the alley and then crossed a road to where a group of men were gathered in front of a stone archway. A few torches cast flickering shadows. Unlike the other parties they’d passed, these men were sober and quiet and looked less than pleased to see company coming their way.
One of their number, a man on horseback, clicked his mount forward and moved to intercept their approach. “Something we can do for you, Milady?”
“I believe you are in the employ of one Lord Cyril Lytton?” Keira asked.
“Never heard of him.”
Keira smiled stiffly. “Why don’t you tell Lord Lytton that Lady Celine is here to see him? I believe my representative, Lord Mason, is with him as we speak?”
The mercenary eyed them dubiously then gave a curt nod to a young man standing in the shadow of the gate. Without a word the fellow turned and pelted down the alley, disappearing into the darkness beyond.
“Best you and your friends be surrendering your weapons, Milady.”
It wasn’t a request.
The rest of the mercenaries had stood up from their fire and slowly drawn swords and casually brought crossbows to bear on their visitors. Keira nodded that they would comply. The moment their swords hit the ground they were grabbed and manhandled into the alley. Lea watched the mercenary on horseback as she was pushed against the wall of a storehouse and frisked. His thoughts were clear. If this Lord Lytton didn’t wish to see them, their throats would be cut and their bodies tossed into the lake.
Calm yourself, child. All will be well. The bones have said it will be so, and so it will be.
The priestess’ voice interrupted Lea’s fears. She moved her head so she could see her mistress. Keira was being held against the wall too. She smiled like an older sister offering reassurance. Not that Lea felt reassured. There was something going on, and certainly a great deal more than she was being told. She could feel it.
“Bring ‘em down.” A voice sailed up from the other end of the dark alley.
“Do as he says,” the man on horseback said.
One of the outlaws lit a lantern and led the way. Four other men prodded the three prisoners forward at sword point. At the end of the alley they were forced across a loading yard stacked with empty wine barrels before passing between several unhitched wagons to climb a few stairs to a door at the back of a storehouse. It was the only building where light shone through a dirt-smeared window. The mercenary with the lamp knocked at the door.
Lea could hear the muffled sounds of an argument going on within and knew one of the combatants was Lord Mason. His anger was as thick and palpable in the air as the stench of stale wine. He was furious that they had come looking for him.
The door swung open and they were herded inside.
A young gentleman broke off his heated conversation with Lord Mason and approached. Young and handsome he sized them up and liked what he saw—at least in the two pretty young women.
“Leave us.” He waved the guards away. It wasn’t as if he needed more protection. Eight men were standing in the shadows, each armed with a crossbow and a sword belted at his waist. There was also a woman among them. Red haired and freckled, she sat on the back of a loaded wagon, a drawn sword leaning across her knee.
“I take it
one of you is Lady Celine,” Lord Lytton said. His attention shifted between Lea and Keira, and finally settled on Keira, who curtseyed. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir.”
“The same, Milady.” His smile made it clear he would have liked a great deal more too, if given half the chance. “I understand from Lord Mason’s account that the two of you are sisters and that you have come from Lunwraith?”
“That’s correct, Milord. Our father is lately deceased and we have been dispossessed of the family estate by a particular obnoxious uncle. He is in Amthenium on a trade mission. With the aid of Lord Mason we intend to have back what has been taken from us.”
“And why would you need the weapons and uniforms of the Amthenium guard for that? Surely it would have been cheaper and I dare say wiser to simply hire an assassin and remain in Lunwraith?”
“I think I have already said enough, Milord,” Keira said graciously, before glancing at Mason and adding, “Am I correct in assuming there is a problem?”
It was obvious to Lea the young lord wasn’t buying into their charade and was fast losing patience.
Before Mason could reply Lytton said, “It appears Lord Mason here has not been exactly honest with me, Milady.”
Keira looked confused. “How so?”
“I don’t think you are who you say you are.”
“Surely, you cannot blame us for wanting to hide our identity?”
He smiled at her indirect admission. “Truth be told, Milady, it’s not your identity that bothers me. More, the identity of whom you intend killing while you are here in Amthenium. This isn’t about a family squabble is it, Milady?”
“Again, Milord, it’s probably best you don’t know the details of what we intend.” There was firmness in Keira’s voice now, her gaze steely and challenging.
The young nobleman drew his sword and rested the blade against his shoulder. “I’m afraid you err in thinking so. You see, there’s a whisper in the back rooms of a few taverns in the region that someone is going to attempt to murder a royal person. What do you say to that? I mean, it would make sense.” He gestured in the direction of the wagon with its wooden boxes. “Uniforms and weapons. And I hear from another source that Lord Mason here has been acquiring the means to gain access to the Amthenium Palace, though he rigorously denies it.”
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