by Sharon Shinn
“Thirteenth House,” Senneth repeated.
Kirra nodded. “Yes. Again. Might clear Eloise, though.”
“I don’t think we’ll learn much from the survivors,” Justin said. “They look like common house guards who just do what their commanders tell them. It’s not like they’ll be carrying letters signed by Halchon Gisseltess saying, ‘Go to Kianlever and attack the princess.’ ”
“If Halchon had anything to do with this,” Senneth said.
Justin looked surprised. “Who else?”
“That’s the question,” Senneth replied. She glanced around the room. “Is it safe to disperse the crowd, do you think? Send everyone to bed? Or will Tayse want to ask them questions?”
Justin shook his head again. “We’ve already gathered up the people who might be able to answer any questions.”
“You take care of Amalie and the queen,” Kirra said. “I’ll do what I can to help Eloise.”
It was another weary hour or so before the ballroom was cleared out. Most of the women were happy to leave, still sobbing into their handkerchiefs or pale with shock, but a handful of hardy souls lingered awhile, fascinated by bloodshed and remembered battle. A contingent of guards carried out the bodies and escorted out the survivors, while the Riders and a few top soldiers continued to debate. It was at least two hours past midnight before servants appeared with mops and buckets and began to wash away the blood.
Eloise was still encircled by a ring of friends, vassals, servants, and the merely curious when the cleanup commenced. Kirra pushed her way through the group with her sister’s unself-conscious determination. “Time the marlady was in bed,” she said, pulling on Eloise’s elbow. “And the rest of you, too. I’ll see her to her room.”
Eloise looked grateful at the rescue and actually leaned on Kirra’s shoulder as they climbed the steps to her suite on the second story. But her gratitude turned to apprehension when, once inside, Kirra pushed her to a seat and then pulled a chair up beside her.
“You must realize this looks very bad,” she said.
Surprise, comprehension, and wretchedness chased each other in quick succession across the marlady’s face. “Casserah—you cannot believe—surely the princess cannot think—I had any remote association with the scoundrels who broke in here tonight!”
Kirra raised her hands in an equivocating gesture. “No one knows what to think. But it is your house, and it was not adequately defended. Two among the princess’s own party were the first to raise the alarm, and it was Senneth and King’s Riders who kept her safe. Baryn will not be happy. You may not have planned this, but someone in your household allowed it to happen. Someone with knowledge of your grounds and your guests plotted the assault. Guards were bribed or looked the other way. If you were not responsible for this, who was? You must start asking questions so that you can answer the questions the king will pose to you.”
Eloise buried her face in her hands. “I’m so tired,” she said. “All I wanted was to have a party. To show the princess special honor. And now you think I’m a traitor.”
“I don’t. But it looks bad. You must search for trouble in your own ranks. Among your guards or your vassals.”
Eloise lifted her head. Her face was already red with worry and weeping. Kirra was betting she would have a bad night of it. “My vassals?” she repeated.
Kirra made that gesture of uncertainty again. “Some of the men who attacked tonight appear to be members of the Thirteenth House. Kell recognized them. There is unrest among the lesser nobles, Eloise, or had you not heard? Turn to the ones you trust and find out what you need to know.”
Eloise stared at her a long moment, her face so blank Kirra was not sure she had actually understood. At last she said, “Casserah. You must believe me. I would never betray my king. I would throw all of the resources of Kianlever behind the throne if it came to a war. I will investigate most thoroughly, and I will do what I must to make sure such a thing never happens again.”
Kirra nodded. “Good. Now I believe it is time you went to bed.”
Eloise shrugged hopelessly. “Why? I won’t be able to sleep.”
Kirra rested a comforting hand on Eloise’s shoulder and contrived to send a tendril of healing magic down through the muscle and bone. Relax now and be at peace. “Just try,” she said. “Lay yourself on your bed and close your eyes.”
“I’m so tired,” Eloise said again.
Kirra stood and beckoned to the maid, who had hovered in the shadows this whole time. “We will see you in the morning before we leave,” she said. “Think over what I said.”
She had barely made it to the door before Eloise had thrown herself on her bed. The maid was going to have a time undressing her before Kirra’s magic took effect. Still, Eloise’s problems would look just as grim by daylight; Kirra did not envy her.
She was exhausted herself, and the long walk back to her own room seemed to take an inordinate amount of time. It was while she was climbing the second stairwell that she felt a shape materialize behind her. She turned to find Donnal climbing the steps at her back. Donnal in human shape, looking very dark and serious.
It felt like weeks since she had seen him, Donnal himself, and she was irrationally pleased. “There you are,” she exclaimed, stopping one step above him and placing her hands on both his shoulders. “I hear you were the hero tonight, warning Senneth of approaching danger.”
He nodded, but his expression didn’t change. “You weren’t in the ballroom,” he said. “I wanted to make sure nothing had happened to you.”
She nodded. Like the princess, she had practiced nonchalance. “Amalie wanted her uncle, and Senneth had seen him go to the gardens. I went to find him—just as two of tonight’s attackers came after him. We had our own little skirmish among the flower beds and statuary, but no one was hurt. Even the attackers got away.”
“This isn’t as easy as we thought it would be,” he said.
“I’m not sure Senneth or Tayse ever expected it to be easy,” she said, “but I certainly wasn’t prepared for this. I’ve never heard of such a thing happening—an assault on a party at one of the Twelve Houses!”
“Are you afraid?”
She smiled at him. “Not with you and Cammon on guard,” she said. “Though I admit I am a little jealous of Amalie right now, since you are watching her instead of me.”
“I am always watching you,” he said quietly. “I would never give anyone else so much of my attention that there was none left for you.”
She was humbled by the words, the more so because, after tonight, she was fairly sure she could not say the same thing to him. “I know,” she said. “The thought alone keeps me safe.”
“Any time you ask, I’ll leave the princess’s room to come back to yours.”
She managed a small smile. “Her life is more important than mine.”
“Not to me.”
She lifted a hand from his shoulder to touch his cheek, smooth down the dark beard. “Do as you have been doing,” she said. “Guard us both.”
They went together to Senneth’s room, set up as war head-quarters now. It was crowded with all four Riders, Romar, Cammon, Senneth—and the princess herself. Valri, who always followed Amalie like a relentless shadow, sat in a chair in the corner of the room, bolt upright, hands clutching the armrests. Everyone else seemed marked by a deep fatigue—though none of the Riders, Kirra noticed, looked remotely relaxed. All of them wore their weapons belts, and their hands hovered near the hilts.
Except for Tayse. He stood behind Senneth, his arms loose around her waist. She leaned against him, a column of weary blue. Her hands were folded over his forearms and she looked rested and secure, as if she had found a momentary haven. There was such a tenderness to their casual pose that Kirra felt a tiny spasm of jealousy, or perhaps it was longing. She wanted to lean into just such an embrace, to feel, for a moment, just as cherished. She pushed the thought aside.
“What do we know?” she asked, closing the door behind Donna
l. She nodded at Romar, who had managed to wipe the blood from his face and change into a fresh shirt; he didn’t look like he’d recently been in a fight for his life. His eyes went from her face to Donnal’s before he turned his attention to Tayse, who was speaking from behind Senneth’s ear.
“Kell Sersees recognized four of the dead men. Two from Kianlever, one from Nocklyn, one from Fortunalt. All Thirteenth House. Unfortunately, the ones who lived all appear to be hired men with no ties to any of the Houses. Kell himself claims to have had no knowledge at all that such an attack was planned.”
“I believed him,” Cammon said.
“Cammon believed him,” Tayse repeated, the smile so faint that it was possible to miss, “and so I believe him as well. He promised to interrogate family members and associates of the fallen men and see if he could uncover any other threats or alliances. I don’t know how quickly we’ll learn anything.”
“We’ve learned that Amalie is in danger,” Valri said. “We should consider returning to Ghosenhall without delay.”
“We’ve also learned that we are equal to defending her,” Tayse replied gently.
“Once,” she said grimly.
Senneth spoke from within the circle of Tayse’s arms. “We have to ask ourselves why these men launched the attack. Was it to hurt Amalie? To discredit Eloise? Were they merely trying to drive us back to the royal city, to make the king look weak? If we return to Ghosenhall, will we be giving them what they want?”
“I don’t care how we look as long as Amalie is safe,” the young queen snapped.
Kirra stepped farther into the room. “I think Senneth is right,” she said. “Unrest in the realm and worry about the succession have made it imperative that Amalie become more visible. If we run back to hide in Ghosenhall, we just heighten everyone’s fears. There will be more questions about whether Amalie will be fit to rule. There will be more people willing to try to hurt her.”
“But if they hurt her—” Romar began.
Amalie cut in. Her voice was so soft and unassuming that Kirra was amazed by her ability to hold their attention. “I’m not afraid,” she said. “I know that Senneth and the others can protect me. I feel safe when they’re nearby. I believe we should continue on to Coravann.”
“I agree,” said Senneth.
“And I,” Kirra added.
Valri came to her feet. “You have no idea how valuable she is,” she said in a rapid voice. “You have no idea what it would mean to lose her. She is too young to make this decision for herself! Don’t encourage her in foolish choices.”
Romar looked at her. “She is old enough to be queen and must be ready to take a queen’s risks,” he said sadly. “She cannot be seen as frail or she will not be trusted. I vote that we go on to Coravann.”
Amalie stood, shaking out the folds of her purple dress. “Then that’s settled,” she said. “Do we leave in the morning?”
“As soon as you’re ready,” Senneth said.
“I’m riding with your caravan,” Romar said. “And I have twenty men to augment your numbers.”
“Excellent,” Kirra said. “Perhaps we’ll be able to keep you safe as well.”
There was a moment’s silence, while Romar looked outraged and the others looked shocked, and then Justin and Cammon started laughing. Even Tayse smiled.
“We will be glad to have you, lord,” Senneth said, managing to sound serious. She pulled herself reluctantly from Tayse’s arms and held her hand out to Amalie. “Come. Time to get you to bed.”
Tayse glanced at each of the Riders in turn, silently confirming for them some previously made assignments, Kirra guessed. When he looked Donnal’s way, the smaller man nodded and followed Amalie and Senneth out the door. Kirra sighed.
“I’m too agitated to sleep,” she said, settling on the bed between Justin and Cammon. “Anyone up for a game of cards?”
CHAPTER 19
DESPITE the increase in their numbers, the party from Ghosenhall managed to achieve a tidy exit in the morning. Eloise made sure to be at the front door to offer her profuse apologies to the princess and beg Amalie not to question her loyalty. Amalie gave the older woman a spontaneous hug and said, “I would not doubt you.” A nice gesture, Kirra thought. They were on their way very quickly after that.
Travel between Kianlever and Coravann was easy. The two Houses had a long history of friendship and commerce, so the roads between major towns were excellent. The weather was so fine that Kirra could not stand the idea of being cooped up in a carriage, so she spent the first day riding a spare horse. Donnal, still in human shape, rode beside her part of the time, yielding his place now and then to Cammon. And once to Romar.
She greeted the regent with offhand friendliness. “How are you this morning?” she asked. “Any lasting damage from last night’s encounter?”
“Nothing but a bloody shirt that I left behind in my room. Eloise’s servants may wonder what sorts of activities I engaged in during my stay.”
“Oh, I’d guess you weren’t the only visitor to leave behind ripped and bloody clothing. Very unsettled days at Kianlever Court, to be sure.”
“I find it hard to believe Eloise had a hand in the attack,” he said abruptly. “And yet—”
“And yet no one feels safe,” Kirra finished. “But I agree. I think Kianlever was the stage, but someone else produced the play.”
“We’ll have to expect more of the same in Coravann.”
Kirra nodded a little absently. She was thinking something over. “Have you ever heard of something called a Shadow Ball? Does your cousin have such things in Merrenstow?”
“Yes. It is considered quite an important event for the lesser lords. I go anytime I’m in the vicinity, as does my cousin. His vassals appreciate our presence—and, frankly, the events are often more fun than the ones to be endured at Merren Manor.”
Kirra grinned. “I don’t believe the tradition exists in Danalustrous. I’ll have to ask my sister. But I’m wondering—” She frowned a little.
“Wondering what?”
“If I might somehow find a way to attend this shadow event at Coravann. I think I might learn something. If all this trouble is originating from the Thirteenth House—”
Romar looked intrigued. “An interesting plan.”
“I’m sure some of my father’s lords have been invited. I would disguise myself as one of them, except I don’t know who might be there and who might not! Very awkward if there were two of us at the same ball on the same night.”
Now he laughed. “I have a better idea. Come with me.” She sent him a look of inquiry. “I’ve been invited. I was invited to the one at Kianlever, too, but I failed to make it. I think it might please the lesser lords to have the regent attend their affairs.” He glanced over at her with a smile. “Perhaps if I demonstrate amiability they will have less desire to murder me.”
She laughed. “Or find it easier to do once you’re in their midst,” she pointed out. “Will you feel safe at such an event?”
“I’ll bring Colton and my men.”
“Thus contradicting your claims to amiability.”
“Surely a man who has been recently attacked can be excused for showing a little caution, even if he’s trying to appear friendly.”
“You might bring one of the Riders as well.”
“No. I want them by Amalie’s side. I had seen Justin in action before, of course, but I could not imagine that all Riders were so skilled. Now that I have watched them all fight, I feel certain she is safe in their hands.”
“That’s something I’ve come to admire about the princess,” Kirra commented. “She has said more than once that she’s not afraid. I don’t believe she is. She’s not stupidly unaware of danger, she’s—fearless. Or very good at judging who can protect her.”
“And lucky to have such protectors at her side.”
“Senneth and Tayse are a formidable combination,” Kirra said. “Add to them the skills that Donnal and Cammon bring, and they
are even more impressive. Prescience, strength, and magic. Very hard to counter that.”
“Your own gifts are spectacular,” he said. “I will feel quite safe if you’re the one to accompany me to the Shadow Ball at Coravann.”
She laughed. “I would love to attend,” she admitted. “But in what guise?”
“Why not go as you are now?” he said. “Is Casserah Danalustrous too good to be seen at such a function?”
She smiled a little. “Indeed, no, Casserah is unimpressed by class distinctions. But she hates all social events, so she would be unlikely to attend. However, the Coravann gentry are unlikely to know that. Perhaps I could go as myself after all.”
“That would be even better,” he said.
