Nine Dragons Gold

by Katy Haye

  “I need to go to my room first.”

  Another nod. “I will accompany you, Lady Hanna.”

  “That isn’t necessary.” My heart lurched. I didn’t want someone looking over my shoulder while I found that wretched phial and tipped its contents down the privy.

  “His highness has given orders. Every candidate must be guarded. For your own safety.”

  I could hardly protest that, given what had just happened, but it ruined my plans entirely. I forced a smile. “Actually, it’s not that important. I’ll join the other candidates immediately.”

  As it happened, there were only two people to join when I reached the queen’s apartments.

  Queen Lelanie sat at a low table with Rannyl, while Claresse reclined on a sofa alongside, her arm cradled across her chest, making much of her injury.

  “Welcome, Lady Hanna.” The queen gave a smile when I arrived and rang for a servant to order more refreshments. When she spoke to the maid, Rannyl leaned close to tell me. “Jesca is being treated by the healers and Glynneth is packing to leave. The prince is with his council.” Her brows lifted slightly. “I doubt it will be a comfortable meeting.”

  By then the queen was finishing her conversation and we turned our attention to her.

  “How is your speckled hawk?” Queen Lelanie asked me kindly.

  “She has a broken wing. The falconer will set it and we shall see how she progresses.”

  “Gracious.” The queen gave a brief smile. “The idea of bone-setting so tiny a creature puts my mind in a spin.” She leaned forward and patted my knee. “But Mathu is very skilled. I am sure he will do all he can. Ah! Here are refreshments. Please, you must be hungry and thirsty after all the drama of the morning.”

  Actually, I felt sick with so much discord, but I smiled and pretended all was well and forced down my drink and the biscuits the queen pressed on me.

  Conversation was desultory. The queen and Rannyl talked while Claresse sighed and I tried to keep my mind off what was hidden in my room. I expected guards to stride in every moment to denounce me.

  But the first person to arrive was Jaran. The queen looked relieved, Rannyl sat back and Claresse leaned forward eagerly.

  “I should like you to know, ladies, that I will announce my choice in two days’ time. I do not think it is fair to keep you waiting longer than that. I will spend as much time as possible with each of you during that time to ensure my decision is the best it can possibly be.

  Claresse smiled prettily. “I know you will make the right decision, your highness.”

  Out of sight of both her and the prince, Rannyl mimed throwing up and I giggled for the first time in a day.

  The prince turned and I straightened my expression quickly. “Lady Hanna, I am pleased to see you looking better. How is Glide?”

  “She has a broken wing. Mathu is tending her.”

  “Ah, there is no one better.”

  An idea occurred to me. I stood up. “I quite agree, but I would like to check on her, if you will permit it.”

  Jaran smiled and for a moment I thought I had succeeded in my deception. Then, he spoke. “I will come with you, Lady Hanna.”

  “Oh, I – thank you.” I could hardly turn him down, but for the first time, the idea of spending time with the prince didn’t excite me. As we left the room I caught Claresse’s baleful glare. I wondered what she would think if I told her I would vastly prefer that the prince stayed and chatted with her rather than following me on my errand.

  “Actually, I have something I must fetch from my room first,” I said as we reached the stairs at the end of the corridor. “If you want to wait here I will run and get it.”

  “I’ll come with you,” the prince said, and once more I couldn’t turn him down without raising suspicion.

  “I am sorry,” he said as we started up the stairs.

  I blinked at him. “Sorry for what?”

  He laughed, although the sound wasn’t borne of happiness. “I am sorry that your first trip to court has been so ... fraught.”

  I looked straight at him. “I am sorry that your home and your life has been turned upside down, your highness.”

  “Please, call me Jaran when we are alone.”

  A blush crept into my cheeks. I wondered if he offered such a concession to the other candidates ... those that remained. And immediately all pleasure at his attention evaporated. Two candidates were leaving in disgrace. If I didn’t wish to join them, I needed to tread very carefully.

  We reached my door. My fingers closed around the handle and I faced the prince. It wasn’t hard to let heat flood back into my face when I thought of everything I was about and all the dreadful trouble I was courting.

  Bold ... and I feared I was about to risk all to win all – but I was just as likely to lose everything. My mouth dried and I licked my lips. “Your highness,” I shook my head when he made to speak. I didn’t want to address him as Jaran for this. “We spoke of loyalty earlier.”

  “We did.” His voice was steady, his gaze piercing. I knew he must have guessed from my tone that this was serious. I wished beyond all that was possible that I didn’t have to make this confession.

  “You have my loyalty, but that wasn’t always the case. I need ... I have to confess something.”

  “Go ahead.” His tone was calm. I didn’t dare to look at his face.

  “Let me show you, and then I’ll explain all.” I swallowed. “If I can.”

  I walked into my room, suddenly aware of its luxury all over again. It had been prepared with care and attention for the prince’s guest, and I taken advantage of everything offered to me. Jaran followed me inside and stood in the doorway, arms folded. I wasn’t scared of him the way I was scared of my father, and yet terror climbed through me. I supposed I was scared of everything I stood to lose, even if it had never truly been mine.

  My heart raced, climbing into my throat as I dropped to my knees before my clothes chest.

  Stupid, stupid girl. I should have destroyed the potion when father had first given it to me. I wasn’t sure I could even protest that it was loyalty that had guided me. It was fear, fear for myself and for mama. But enough self-pity. Now, it was time for the truth.

  I yanked the drawer open and plunged my fingers between my small clothes. The phial evaded me. I peered inside, pushing the clothes aside. No sign.

  “What is it?” Behind me, Jaran sensed something was amiss.

  My heart raced, sickness crawling through me. I told myself to be calm. No one else had been in my room; I was only alarming myself and making it impossible to see clearly. I took a deep breath and lifted out a pile of the clothes I’d just rummaged through. I shook them out before placing them on the floor, ensuring nothing was hidden. Three scoops emptied the drawer and all the shaking and smoothing in the world made no difference.

  My heart dropped to the floor, my fingers numb.

  “Hanna? Is everything all right?”

  Nausea swept through me. I closed my eyes, my hand pressed against the chest, the metal of the knob smooth and slippery between my fingers. I looked up to meet the prince’s steady gaze, my face cold and doubtless pale. “It’s gone,” I confessed.

  26 – Too Scared

  “What has gone?”

  I kept my gaze on the wood of the chest for a long moment so I wouldn’t have to face Jaran. So I wouldn’t have to admit what had happened; no, what I had done. I was scared of Jaran’s reaction, but I had strength enough to take responsibility for my part in it all.

  My fingers traced a piece of carving. If I’d thrown away the potion days ago all would be well now. A thousand opportunities flew around my head. I could have thrown it overboard from the yacht. Or cast it down the privy when I arrived. I could have taken it hawking and poured it onto the ground to sink harmlessly into the soil.

  “Hanna? What has gone?” Jaran’s voice was steady. Determined. Everything I wasn’t – and needed to be.

  Cowardly fear of my father ha
d caused me to keep it just in case. But I was done with being scared.

  I rose and turned to Jaran. I licked my lips and began. “We – we spoke of loyalty when we were together. You have my loyalty, but that wasn’t always the case.” I forced myself to lift my gaze, to face Jaran squarely. The expression on his face gave me the strength to go on.

  “Before we arrived at court, my father...” All the memories swirled. It was hard to catch a grip on any one. I focused on what was important for the prince to know. I straightened my shoulders. “Father was determined that we should win, and he didn’t suppose that a girl like me, raised far from court, without the ... polish ... others have, would be able to catch your attention.”

  “What did he do?” Jaran’s voice was so calm, I thought again that he must already know. That made it easier to confess.

  “He gave me a potion, to use on you. A magic potion that would ensure you fell in love with me. I was supposed to slip it into your drink when we were alone.”

  “You didn’t use it.” There was no trace of doubt in his voice. I remembered him toasting me that afternoon. He’d known. Had he known all along?

  “I – I couldn’t.” A sound huffed out of me. In better circumstances it might have been a laugh. “Father would say I lacked the courage, but I didn’t want to constrain your choice. Maybe I was too soft to do it, but if that’s the case, I don’t want to be hard.”

  “Don’t change, Hanna.” His voice was gentle. “I like you the way you are.”

  Heat rose in me. “I betrayed you.”

  “You didn’t. You had plenty of opportunity but you didn’t do so. I might wish all the citizens of Muirland were as upright. Is it the potion that’s gone missing?”

  “Yes, I – it was hidden amongst my clothes. I should have thrown it away, but I didn’t have the strength for that. I – ”

  Jaran caught my hand, cutting off my babbling words. “Don’t worry about the potion. Tell me, Hanna, where did your father get it?”

  I wanted to say the name, but in truth I couldn’t. “He never said.”

  Jaran cursed. “He didn’t tell you who made it?”

  “The most powerful mage in Muirland. I’m sure he meant Redmor, but he never gave a name. He and Redmor are working together, I know it.”

  “You can prove it, or you simply believe it to be true?”

  My shoulders slumped. “I believe it, but I have no proof. I would not have waited if I could prove his treachery.”

  He squeezed my hand. “We spoke of the mages and magic. Did you mean what you said?”

  “I’m no friend of Redmor, whatever my father thinks of the man.”

  “And I truly have your loyalty?”

  His eyes blazed into mine. I lowered to my knees. “I am yours to command, highness.”

  “Rise, rise. I need you to do something for me, Hanna. Something that may enable me to curtail Redmor’s power as I long to do. Will you do it?”

  I didn’t have to think about my answer. “I will do whatever you ask.”

  “I need you to go to Redmor and ask for another potion.”

  “To do what?”

  “To enchant me.” He smiled at my expression. “I know it will not be used. I need to set a trap for Redmor, and you are the best bait I can think of. Tell him what you told me: that the potion has gone missing and you need another.”

  I shook my head. “He won’t believe me. He knows I was too scared to use the first one.”

  Jaran reached out to me. I froze in shock as his fingers came to rest alongside my jaw, his thumb on my cheek, a whisper away from my lips. “You were not scared, you were too principled to use it. It’s an important distinction, Hanna.”

  I could barely even think past the awareness of his skin warming mine. Somehow I found my voice. “My father and Redmor think I’m stupid. They think I’m a foolish child, too weak to do what’s needed. A minnow amongst the sharks.”

  “You mustn’t believe them. It takes great strength to stand against your father as you have done.”

  Tears burned in my eyes. I couldn’t stand for Jaran to look at me with admiration, not when he didn’t truly know me at all. “It’s not strength. It’s fear.”

  He shook his head, his voice steady. “Your strength overcame your fear. You are a remarkable woman, Hanna.”

  I lowered my gaze. “I was scared. I still am. He will take his revenge on mama.”

  “What’s that?” Jaran tipped my chin so I had to look at him. “What has your mama to do with this?”

  “Father said ... if I didn’t win the contest he will kill mama.” I waited, hoping he would laugh, tell me I was ridiculous. He didn’t. “He said he knew people who could make it look an accident.”

  Jaran’s expression hardened. “He will not harm her. You have my promise. I will ensure she is protected.” His thumb stroked my cheek. “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.” Relief made my knees weak. I did. I was sure, absolutely, that I could trust Jaran. If he said mama was safe, then it was true. “I’ll do as you say.” I even managed a smile. “I’ll go to Redmor.”

  “Excellent. He will be at the mage’s tower now. I cannot escort you. Can you sneak out?”

  I nodded. “We will make this as authentic as we can.” I stepped away. His hand dropped away from my face and I had to stop myself from raising my own hand; covering the loss. “I think I will go for a walk, if you will allow, your highness.” I dropped a curtsy.

  Jaran replied with a short bow. “Enjoy the sunshine, Lady Hanna.”

  He turned and left me. Nerves swarmed back into my stomach. I loathed Mage Redmor, and now I must stand in front of the man and beg. I hoped I could be convincing. There was one small improvement, at least: this time, I was motivated by determination, not fear.

  27 – Inside the Tower

  I snatched up a cloak, an ordinary one I’d brought with me from Senna. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself as I sneaked out of the palace when we were supposed to be closely guarded for our own sakes.

  Swinging it around my shoulders, I tugged the hood over my hair and stole from my room. I ran down the staircase which led out to the gardens and hurried towards the palace gates. I loitered in the shelter of the palace walls until a group of three maids came striding along the path. I slipped out just behind them, passing for part of the group as far as the gate guards were concerned.

  The square outside felt like a shock after the calm order of the palace. The cobbled street was bustling, people of all ranks and ages going to and fro. I could barely think through the noise of people talking, vendors shouting their wares, horses clopping over the stones. My gaze settled on the tower on the other side of the square, and the wall surrounding it. It was a grandiose structure, as tall as the palace.

  It was uglier, though, squat and square where the palace was wide and beautiful. That probably reflected the people inside. I supposed they were all images of mage Redmor, people who cared for nothing but the power they could steal from others.

  I crossed the street, dodging people and baskets and dogs and the occasional chicken. Broad wooden gates that would allow carriages to enter and exit the tower were set into a wall twice the height of my head. They were closed and barred, but fortunately a smaller, human-sized door had been cut into the oak. An apprentice in black robes ducked out of that as I neared.

  I stepped through, my attention on the tower and the man inside who I needed to find.

  “Just a minute there, miss. Where do you think you’re going?”

  I swung. I’d thought the gate unguarded, but a porter sat to one side. Gathering my courage, I stood straight and faced him down. “I need to speak to Mage Redmor.”

  The porter gave a small scoff of disbelief. “Do you have an appointment?”

  I lifted my chin. “He will see me. You may tell him it’s regarding his recent business with Lord Bal.”

  The porter muttered something I couldn’t hear and reached for a bell. A moment after it r
ang a boy ran into sight. “Sir?” he dipped a bow to the porter.

  “Ask Mage Redmor if he’s willing to see a –” He paused and looked me up and down. Despite my determination I shrank back in the shadow of my hood at the insolence in his gaze. “--A young lady about business with Lord Bal.”

  “Yessir.” The boy ran towards the tower. The porter remained seated and glared at me, arms folded across his broad chest. I turned away and took in the tower that rose high overhead.

  It was an impressive building, not as grand and ornate as the palace. Built of red bricks, it was imposing in its ominous solidity. From here, I could see only one door in and out.

  The sound of running feet drew my attention back to the ground. The boy had returned already, panting as he neared. He bowed to me. “Please, you’re to come with me, miss.”

  The temptation to glare at the porter rose in me, but I ignored him and followed the boy into the tower. I needed to focus on my purpose, and that lay inside the tower, not at its gates.

  The light dimmed once we set foot inside, the sunlight replaced by slightly smoky lamps. The boy hurried to follow his orders, leading me left, right and left again until I knew I would have no chance to get out without a guide. My heart thumped. Redmor had surely guessed who was coming to see him. He might even know why. I wished with all my heart that I could turn around and leave, but my promise to the prince kept me following the boy. I had to do what I could to make things right, even if that meant dealing with the mage I despised.

  Finally, the boy knocked on a dark wooden door. Mage Redmor’s voice called, “Come in,” and the boy swung the door wide. I stepped inside and the door closed behind me.

  His room was smaller than I’d expected. I’d thought he would choose grandeur for himself, thinking himself comparable to the king. This office was compact and serviceable, with books stacked on shelves and overflowing to cover half the floor and begin a climb up the walls.

  “Lady Hanna,” he drawled. “This is a surprise.” He was sitting the other side of a desk, a window behind him. His face was in shadow, so I couldn’t make out his expression, but from his tone I knew he wasn’t surprised at all.