Maig's Hand

by Phillip Henderson

  Danielle had been thinking about that as well. “Send word to all the delegations that have offered support. Tell them that we suspect Abien and Themia will force our hand tomorrow and assure them that whatever happens we remain committed to alleviating the famine in Vafusolum before winter, and will not rest until it is so and we hope they will show the same fortitude.”

  Danielle winced and drew up sharply. A pain had erupted behind her eyes. For a moment she thought it might just have been the heat and lack of sleep. Then she felt Kane’s presence. He was screaming in agony.

  “You alright?” Michael asked.

  “It’s nothing.”

  Danielle tried to go on but the pain flared unbearably, driving a cry from her throat and doubling her up. Her brother and friend grabbed her before she fell and the next thing she knew she was sitting in a window seat. Faith was holding a bloodied handkerchief to Danielle’s nose and Michael was opening one of the windows to let a little air into the stifling corridor.

  “What happened? What’s wrong?” Faith said.

  Michael crouched and felt Danielle’s forehead. “She has a fever.”

  “Should I send for a physician, Milord,” Sir Frankston asked, from behind them.

  “No. That won’t be necessary,” Danielle said, quickly. No physician could help cure what ailed her.

  Sir Frankston looked to Michael for confirmation, and received a small nod that he had nothing to worry about. “If you could have your men give us a little privacy, sir.”

  Frankston gave a respectful bow and moved off, his boots drumming on the marble floor as he ordered his men to either end of the hallway and to stop any who might try and pass.

  Danielle waited until it was safe to speak and then said. “It’s Kane.”

  Faith’s gaze snapped to hers. “He’s here?”

  “No. It is not like before. He’s in pain. Immense pain. Somehow it’s reaching me.”

  Michael gestured at the amulets that hung around Danielle’s neck. “Aren’t those supposed to protect you from things like this?”

  “I doubt he knows what he’s doing. His pain is horrendous.” She could hear him screaming, the sound was hideous and piercing, drilling right into her head. There was another sound too, the raucous cry of thousands upon thousand of crows and bats. She wished she could make-out what was being said.

  “Perhaps Eden and Hendrix have caught him?” Faith said.

  “Perhaps.” Danielle pushed herself up. The pain was easing a little. Enough to get to her chambers and summons Cargius.

  Michael called the guards to follow, but they only made it down the hallway and across the wide balcony to the staircase before she doubled up again and had to grab the handrail to stop from falling. Her nose started bleeding again. Faith made her sit down on the stairs while Michael pressed the handkerchief to her nose.

  “You sure this isn’t something malevolent?” Faith asked. Her eyes were dark and wide in the torchlight.

  “I don’t know.”

  “But it’s getting worse?” Michael asked.

  “It comes in waves.”

  Lord Hillkim and his wife, both members of the Vafusolum delegation, happened to be coming up the stairs and from the other side of the cordon of Arkaelyon knights that had formed up around Danielle; he called out, asking if everything was all right. The Vafusolum lord and his lady weren’t the only ones to notice. A group of maids had stopped on the southern staircase across the marble floored vestibule below and at least five palace guards were watching the scene as well.

  It wouldn’t help their cause if those of the assembly learned she was not well, so Danielle forced herself up. Faith helped right her, and kept a firm hold of her hand as they descended the stairs.

  Lord and Lady Hillkim looked disturbed by the bloody handkerchief Danielle was holding to her face.

  “Nothing to worry about. Merely a nose bleed,” Faith said cheerily as they passed.

  The Arkaelyon quarters were in the new northern wing of the vast and otherwise ancient Amthenium Palace. Danielle couldn’t get there quick enough. Thankfully, the pain in her head was easing again and she wasn’t forced to stop. When they climbed the wide stairs to the foyer outside Kathius Hall, though, she was surprised to hear music coming from within and to find no guard at the main door.

  “What the devil is going on?” Faith said.

  Before Danielle could give the order, Sir Frankston hurried past, calling two of his men with him. They found the doors locked. Making a fist the knight pounded on the timbers. A moment later the music grew louder as the door was opened from within. Danielle recognised the song as a reformist anthem. The consumption of wine was doing it considerable damage. Sir Len de Gill emerged to greet them, his face red with laughter and likely wine. A maid had her hand hooked under the knight’s elbow and a mug in her free hand.

  “What is going on,” Danielle demanded, as she approached.

  “The best of news, Milady. Bastion wishes to tell you himself. He’s waiting for you in your day room.”

  Danielle slipped Faith’s handkerchief into her pocket and pushed inside. The best of news? She had a good idea what that meant, but she dared not get her hopes up. She quickly thanked her guards, and then ignoring the revelries visible through the arched doorway to the quarter’s dining hall, she went directly down the passageway to her chambers. Faith and Michael walked beside her.

  “It’s got to be Kane. They must have caught him,” Faith said. “Why else would your delegates and servants be celebrating? And your sudden headache seems to confirm as much.”

  “Gods, I hope so,” Danielle replied. She stopped suddenly and put a hand on the wall to steady herself. “Shit.” The pain in her head was returning with vengeances.

  Faith crouched, hooking a strand of loose hair behind her ear before putting a hand to Danielle’s forehead. “You’re burning up again. Perhaps we should call for a physician?”

  “I need to talk to Cargius first.”

  With no guard at the door of her private chambers, Danielle entered without knocking. To her astonishment she found James sitting on the edge of her deck. His riding garb was coated in dust and he was laughing at something Bastion had just finished saying. Both men had helped themselves to her wine and looked to be in high spirits.

  James noticed her arrival and came forward to meet her. His smile broadened lovingly as he drank in the sight of her.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked. She didn’t mean to snap at him, but her head hurt something terrible.

  “I bring the best possible news. The slaves on Lord Helidon’s estate - they’ve been found exactly where the Lady Winters said they’d be. The Archbishop was arrested at dawn this morning and awaits your father’s justice.”

  Danielle was delighted to hear as much. “That is brilliant news. Though I find it hard to believe he went so easily?”

  “He didn’t have a choice. Three hundred soldiers from the palace, including knights of your father’s guard took him by surprise as his carriage left the abbey’s readying yard yesterday evening. He had no idea a second search had been undertaken. Your father has also doubled the city and palace guard to make sure none of his powerful nobles try anything foolish. As for your positions and rights as a member of the General and High Council, they have been officially restored.”

  Danielle breathed a little easier at hearing this but ignored the smiles that her friends had levelled on her, saying, “And Kane?”

  “The last we heard from the Prince Regent and Lord Commander, they had pursued him and several accomplices into a remote valley. They’re sure it’s only a matter of time and they’ll have him cornered. It’s possible they have already captured him since my departure. “ He beamed at her, elated. “We’ve done it, Dee. Everything is going to be all right. You can relax a little.”

  She let him embrace her, and even managed a smile. But her fears still staked her thoughts. She suspected that would remain so until Kane was executed.

/>   “So you rode all the way here to tell me this?” Despite her efforts to the contrary a coy smile found its way onto her lips as she eased out of arms. “A bird would have been quicker and the gods know what the palace physicians will have to say about your miraculous recovery.”

  Michael had poured her a glass of wine and now he offered it to her. The mood in the room was buoyed and the celebrations out in the hall understandable now.

  “You needn’t worry about the palace physicians,” James said. “They’ve been led to believe I have gone to stay with friends in the city; Kimberly’s idea. You’re right; she is going to make quite the queen some day. And truth be told, I was looking for an excuse to join you.”

  They all laughed and Danielle rose on the toes of her boots and placed a lingering kiss on his lips. A kiss he returned, his hands slipping into her hair.

  Faith, Michael and Bastion cheered at their show of affection, and Danielle felt her cheeks redden. When they broke off, she told them she needed to talk to James alone, and promptly drew him into her bedchamber, closing the door against the raft of suggestive comments her brother and friends chorused. She slipped into James’ arms again and kissed him hungrily this time. She reluctantly stopped before things got out of hand and lay her head against his chest, content just to have him holding her. “Thank you. That was quite a surprise. Joseph has been conspicuous in his silence, particularly since he agreed to keep me informed.”

  “He’s been busy. And he was about to write when I offered to deliver the message in person”

  James’ hazel eyes were earnest as he gently touched her face making her look up at him. A frown crept onto his face. “You all right. You look horribly pale. Yet you’re hot to the touch?”

  “It’s Kane. I need to summons Cargius.”

  “Why, what’s wrong?”

  She eased out of his arms and walked over to a side table to splash water from a bowl onto her face. She quickly explained what she feared, which only seemed to confuse him.

  “I don’t understand? With the Archbishop facing execution and your brother not far behind, surely you don’t have to continue with this. What Abien and Themia intend is immaterial; the prophecy has been prevented. Dee, we can get on with our lives? I thought you’d understand that?”

  “What about Maig’s gifts?”

  “According to Joseph, no living man can reach the book where it lies and without the book this fountain thing can’t be had either. So there they will remain for all eternity. Please, Dee, you have sacrificed enough. And if there is no need to go on, why would you?”

  “Because I don’t feel your certainty. If anything, I feel the opposite. She walked away to the window and looked out into the torch lit garden below. There was also the matter of what Cargius had told her the last time they’d talked. Her skin pricked with unease.

  James’ arms slipped around her middle and she leaned back against this chest, grateful for his comfort. “I am so pleased you’re here.”

  The pain in her head was threatening to debilitate her again.

  “You alright? You’re as tight as a bow string.”

  “My head feels like it’s about to split open. Something is happening. I can hear Kane screaming, and a great deal more. But don’t ask me what it means.”

  “When was the last time you slept?”

  “I got a few hours yesterday morning.”

  “Then I suspect you’re overtired.” Without warning James scooped her into his arms and carried her over to the bed. He lay her down on the bed and removed her shoes. “I’ll get you a sleeping tonic. “

  “I don’t think a sleeping tonic will help.”

  Looking concerned James sat on the side of the bed and took her hand. “Have you thought that this might be his doing?”

  “Who’s doing?”

  “Cargius. Dee, I know he summoned you on your ride from Illandia and I know what he said about us having children and the connection between you and the Lady Winters.”

  Danielle sat up astonished. “How?”

  James’ mouth quirked with bridled anger. “Because he paid me a visit also—though I dare say the visit was not half as cordial as yours.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “To warn me off. It seems that if we sleep together again before he has finished with you, he’ll see to it that we never have the opportunity to wed.”

  “He threatened you? Those were his exact words?

  “Yes.”

  Danielle was shocked. She was also furious. After Cargius’ admissions on the highway three days ago, she’d felt like they might be able to trust him. That had all changed, again!

  “Dee, if this prophecy has been prevented, please, please, end this now. Walk away like your mother did. For the sake of all that is pure, how do you know this headache, this fear you feel; all of it isn’t his doing? A manipulation?”

  The truth was she didn’t know. She nodded her agreement and slipped into his arms.

  “I’m scared,” she said. If she walked away they would have a chance of a half normal life … a life that included children. But what if they were wrong? And …

  “What if he won’t let me go?”

  “He let your mother go. And you have free will, right?”

  “She didn’t possess the purple aura as I do. And he’s been very pointed about the necessity of killing me if there is a risk I might fall into Fren’s hands. It’s beginning to feel very much like a caveat around any free will I might have.”

  She felt James tense and looked up. There was protective anger in his eyes, which only worried her more. “James, please don’t do anything silly.”

  “So I’m just to stand by and let the man threaten you?”

  “I’m better placed than you, to defend myself. The best way you can help is by not forcing me to worry about you as well.”

  The ancient bronze bell high up in the Watchman’s tower began to toll vigorously, signalling that there was a fire in the palace. Danielle wasn’t particularly perturbed. The watchman’s tower was the oldest part of the palace and housed the palace garrison—all capable men and all on high alert on Leefton’s orders after news from her father that there might be an attempt on her life. It was also almost half a mile away.

  James muttered a curse at the unwelcome interruption. “So what are we to do?”

  She knew he was not referring to the bell. “As soon as Kane is captured and this ceremony completed, I’ll do as my mother did and walk away.”

  Visibly relieved he reached out drew her against this chest and held her tightly. “I love you.”

  “I know. I love you too.” She shifted her head and looked up at him. “Like you said, we’re going to get through this. And when we do, you’ll have a great deal of work to do, restoring the estate at Renwick.” She smiled tellingly, “And helping me fill the yard with children.” She reached up and kissed his grinning lips with her own. She could still feel the tension in him and when she broke off she said, “He scared you too?”

  “I can’t lose you, Dee.”

  “You’re not going to.”

  “But you’re still going to call him?”

  “I have to. I need to be sure Abien and Themia aren’t more of a threat than we fear. Ending the famine in Vafusolum means a great deal to me. And this headache is more than just lack of sleep.”

  Before she could say more the pain in her head surged forward again. It was so intense it drew a strangled cry from her throat and she doubled up and clutched at her head. James made her lie down. Faith, Michael and Bastion, who had heard the cry from next door, entered the stateroom in a rush.

  “It’s her head,” James said.

  “Dee, what can we do?” Faith was first at the bedside.

  Danielle was crushing James’ hand and drawing in deep breaths, willing the pain away. Kane’s agony was beyond bearable. She couldn’t imagine what was happening to him.

  “Why did Cargius not warn of this,” Bastion said.

&nbs
p; “I have to call him,” Danielle said, puffing as if she’d run a dozen miles.

  She closed her eyes trying to find the courage to summon the Druid. After what James had said, she really didn’t want to do this.

  But before she could will herself to form the words, Cargius’ presence entered the room. She sensed his fear even before a green flash of light played on her eyelids. She was in too much pain to open her eyes, but she heard those around the bed rise quickly, and swords being drawn.

  “Leave us,” the Druid demanded.

  Steel grated as weapons were slipped back into their scabbards, but no one moved. Except for Cargius. Danielle could feel him approach the bed. She grimaced as his cold hands cupped her cheeks.

  “What’s wrong with her?” James demanded.

  “I said leave!”

  “Not on your life. Now heal her and answer the question,” James said.

  “It’s her brother! Everything has changed. Lord Kane is being anointed as we speak. Your lady is feeling the effects, and likely more so because they share the same blood. She has to come with me at once or she will not be safe. None of us will.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  “You should have bloody well done something, Fren!”

  Kane scowled, though his attention did not leave the torch lit parapets of the old stone watchtower ahead, its outlines just visible now through the forest’s leafy canopy. He had not been looking forward to this ceremony. Four days tramping through the tunnels beneath the Eastern Mountains had given him too much time to think about it and his mood was more than black. And now, to make matters worse, he’d just learnt that the slaves had been found and the Archbishop and Lord Helidon arrested by his father’s personal guard, and were to be tried and executed.

  “There’s nothing to worry about,” Fren said.

  “Your bones tell you this was going to happen?”

  “No. But in a few more days, your father and sister will be dead and Arkaelyon will be ripe for the picking.”

  “Really,” Kane sniggered at the idea. “Eden will execute them before we get within a mile of the city.”