The Almost King

by Lucy Saxon

  ‘No, no, Saria didn’t break my nose. Though I don’t doubt she could if she wanted to. Especially at the moment,’ he added bitterly.

  ‘What did you do, lad?’ Ksenia asked bluntly.

  Aleks feigned obliviousness. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Don’t even try it,’ Raina said with a roll of her eyes. ‘What did you do – stand her up? Insult her? Make an idiot of yourself in front of her?’

  ‘What? No! We had a little disagreement, that’s all! But thank you, ladies, for the vote of confidence,’ Aleks said wryly. ‘I don’t really want to talk about it.’ Ksenia finished wiping the blood off his face and tossed the cloth in the bin, along with Aleks’s scarf; Ksenia had declared it a lost cause.

  ‘Ooh, it must be bad,’ Raina mused, frowning. ‘Is everything all right?’

  ‘Everything is fine,’ he insisted. He wished he could believe his own words. He didn’t know how long he would have before Shulga woke up and got back on his trail again. He needed to talk to Saria, before she did anything rash – like never speak to him again.

  First, however, he needed to talk to Luka. They would have to speed up the timeline on their little adventure if Aleks was going to get his record cleared before Shulga caught up with him again. There were only so many times he could escape before his luck ran out.

  17

  Aleks was distracted as he worked, despite Luka insisting that if they were going to speed things up he would have to work even harder than before. He couldn’t stop thinking of the look on Saria’s face when she’d found out the truth; the hurt in her eyes had made him feel physically sick.

  ‘Oh, for storms’ sake, lad, just go and talk to her.’ Aleks looked up at Luka’s words, seeing the old man frowning at him. ‘You’re useless right now. I bet you haven’t listened to a word I just said.’ Aleks smiled sheepishly, unable to deny it. ‘Go, talk to your girl, get this whole mess sorted out before it escalates. If she reports you to the kingsguard I’ll have to find another bloody pilot, and then I’ll have to wait until after winter!’

  ‘You almost sound concerned for my well-being,’ Aleks remarked drily. Still, he smiled in thanks at the mechanic, getting to his feet. Luka waved him off, already turned back to the ship’s furnace.

  Aleks got the tram back into the city and made straight for the courtyard, keeping his eyes peeled for familiar honey-blonde hair. Saria’s table wasn’t set out and she was nowhere to be found. Gathering his courage, he walked straight to her father’s jewellery shop, the bell over the door ringing as he entered. It was quiet inside the shop, and a man with greying blond hair who could only be Saria’s father was behind the counter, arranging necklaces in a glass case. He looked up when he saw Aleks, a curious expression on his face. ‘Can I help you, young sir?’ Aleks swallowed, his throat suddenly dry, and belatedly pulled his hat off when he realised he hadn’t already. Saria’s father was enormous, tall and muscular, and looked very much like he could crush Aleks without a second thought.

  ‘I, uh, I’m looking for Saria,’ he croaked, watching the man’s blue-grey eyes narrow in comprehension.

  ‘You are the boy,’ he said. ‘Aleks.’

  Aleks tried not to look surprised that Saria had told her father about him, nodding even as he stood up a little straighter.

  ‘Yes, sir. I wanted to talk to her. We had a bit of a . . . disagreement yesterday.’ Saria’s father continued to eye him, and Aleks tried not to squirm under the man’s piercing gaze.

  ‘My daughter was most upset last night,’ he said conversationally. Aleks winced. ‘She would not say why, just that you caused it. I do not believe she has any reason to talk to you.’

  ‘No, she doesn’t,’ Aleks agreed, ‘but I would very much like the opportunity, anyway.’

  ‘She’s not here,’ Saria’s father finally told him. ‘She stayed at home with her aunt today. But I shall let her know you came by, and you wish to talk. If she is willing to listen, she will be by the fountain selling our wares tomorrow evening. If she is not there tomorrow, it means she does not want to see you, and you will not bother my daughter again.’ His accent had the curt formality of higher-class Northerners, and it sent shivers down Aleks’s spine.

  ‘I understand, sir. Thank you. I . . . I’ll be going, then.’ The man nodded, turning back to the jewellery case, and Aleks presumed that was the end of their conversation. Storms, Saria’s father was terrifying. Still, he’d agreed to pass Aleks’s message on, which was the important thing.

  Finding it incredibly hard to focus on Luka’s lessons in the warehouse the day after, Aleks let out a sigh of relief when an alarm went off in the middle of a thorough and complicated explanation of the emergency landing system, indicating it was time for Aleks to leave. The alarm wasn’t there usually, but after impressing upon Luka how important it was for him to be on time, Aleks had been allowed to set one.

  His heart was pounding rapidly in his chest as he walked to the tram station and he could feel his palms sweating. He tried to calm down, breathing steadily and reminding himself that Saria was a lovely, rational young woman who surely would at least hear him out before leaving him. He hoped.

  He froze when he reached the edge of the courtyard, instantly spotting Saria behind her table of jewellery. She was selling something to a young couple, and Aleks took the opportunity to watch her. Her smile didn’t meet her eyes and she looked paler than usual; was that his fault?

  After a few minutes the couple walked away, a paper bag being slipped into the woman’s handbag, and Aleks had no excuse to stay away. Taking a deep breath and sending up a quick prayer, he started walking. He could tell when she spotted him, as her whole body tensed and her gloved hands clutched the edge of the table. But she stayed put, and Aleks felt a flutter of relief.

  ‘Hello, Saria,’ he said softly. She folded her arms over her chest, eyeing him warily.

  ‘Aleks,’ she replied, her tone verging on icy. ‘My father said you wanted to talk. I suppose it’s only polite for me to let you.’

  ‘Please,’ he requested, taking a tentative half-step closer. ‘Saria, let me explain. But . . . not here. It’s too public.’ His eyes darted towards the two guards at the fountain.

  ‘Is it safe for me to go somewhere private with you, or will you be attacked again?’ she asked sharply.

  ‘That’s hardly fair – it’s not like I planned that,’ he said. ‘But we should be safe.’ Aleks hadn’t seen Shulga around since the other day, and could only hope the flowerpot had done more damage than he’d initially assumed. All Shulga knew so far was where Aleks worked, and he wouldn’t put the kingsguard on alert while he still needed him to give the journal back. Thanks to Luka’s report, the lieutenant couldn’t get anywhere near the workshop himself.

  Saria didn’t take his hand as they walked, and Aleks didn’t dare reach out to her. They found a small, unoccupied courtyard, and went to sit on a bench in the corner. Bracing himself for her reaction, Aleks explained himself, telling Saria everything that had happened in Rensav, and Shulga’s appearances since. She listened patiently, horror on her face as he explained the truth behind the enlistment fee and his confrontation with Antova. When he was finished he looked down at his lap.

  ‘Oh, Aleks,’ she murmured. ‘Gods. When you said, I never expected . . . I never thought it was like that. I thought our army was noble.’

  ‘You thought I would break the law just because I didn’t feel like being a soldier any more?’ he asked incredulously. Saria blushed, ducking her head.

  ‘Well, no, I jus– what was I supposed to think?’

  ‘You were supposed to trust me!’ Aleks exclaimed. ‘You know me, Saria. I thought you knew by now that I don’t do things without good reason.’

  ‘I did trust you! If I hadn’t, I would have gone to the kingsguard to report you as soon as I left you!’ she argued. ‘I think you can forgive me for being shocked.’

  Aleks opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again. Arguing wouldn’t
get them anywhere.

  ‘Thank you for knocking Shulga out with a flowerpot, he said eventually.’

  She smiled, reaching to take his hands in her own. ‘I suppose suggesting you take the matter to the king is a foolish idea? He certainly wouldn’t let it stand if he knew the truth.’

  ‘Because an audience with the king is so easy to arrange,’ Aleks said drily. ‘The corruption in the army goes against everything he stands for, everything he’s worked to make this country represent. But the fact of the matter is, he’s never going to find out about it. Anyone who cares to tell him would have to go through the kingsguard, and they’re in on the whole secret.’

  Saria sighed, leaning against his shoulder. ‘You can’t keep running forever, Aleks,’ she pointed out. ‘Sooner or later, he’s going to catch you, and you won’t be able to escape. He already knows where you work. What if he brings guards to Luka’s?’

  ‘I’m working on it,’ he assured her, not wanting to explain why Shulga wasn’t likely to get the authorities involved yet. If they arrested Aleks now, he’d never get the journal back. ‘Luka has a plan.’ Saria gave him a sceptical look. ‘I’m serious; he’s going to sort it out. Trust me, OK?’

  She bit her lip, but eventually nodded. ‘Just promise me you’ll be safe. And don’t do anything stupid.’ He grinned at her, leaning in for a kiss to avoid having to answer, sliding closer to her on the bench. None of what he was planning on doing was safe, and it would definitely be considered stupid, but it was necessary to gain his freedom. For her.

  18

  Several days later Aleks was deep in conversation with Raina, walking from the market after picking up the groceries for Ksenia before he had to go to work. Suddenly he saw a face that made him break off mid-word and stop dead in his tracks, colour draining from his face. Wandering through the crowd several feet ahead was none other than his brother Torell, looking very much out of place as he glanced around. In his old, weathered leather coat and work trousers, he looked like a stereotypical wide-eyed country boy. Had Aleks looked like that when he’d arrived?

  ‘Aleks, what’s wrong?’ Raina asked in concern.

  ‘We need to go now –’ It was too late. Just as he started heading in the opposite direction, Torell’s blue eyes landed on him, widening in pleased surprise. ‘Storms,’ Aleks muttered under his breath, hanging his head. Torell could see Aleks had noticed him; there was no point in running now.

  Torell was grinning by the time he reached them and pulled Aleks into a rib-crushing hug. ‘Knew I’d find you sooner or later! The city might be big, but it’s not that big!’ he cried. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you! What happened to your nose?’

  ‘What are you doing here? You should be at home with your pregnant wife,’ Aleks exclaimed in annoyance. How could Torell just abandon Nadeah at a time like that? ‘How did you even know I was here, anyway?’

  ‘The others might be a little dense, but I noticed the Syvana postmark on your letters. The first one definitely came from Rensav, but every letter after that?’ Aleks groaned under his breath; how could he be so stupid? Of course, there were postmarks on his letters! The redirection only worked one way.

  ‘No one else noticed?’ he checked, panic gripping him. Torell shook his head, an easy smile on his face.

  ‘I made a habit of getting the mail first and removing your letters from the envelope before passing them on,’ he replied. Aleks sighed in relief, bringing an arm around his older brother in a brief hug.

  ‘Thank you,’ he murmured. ‘But that doesn’t explain why you left Nadeah alone when she’s as pregnant as she is.’

  ‘Aleks, I don’t mean to be rude,’ Raina cut in tentatively, looking between the two men in confusion, ‘but we really have to get these back to Aunt Ksenia before lunch preparation starts, and you need to get to work.’ She held up the bags of groceries pointedly, and Aleks nodded.

  ‘Oh? Who’s this, then?’ Torell asked curiously, the faintest of smirks tugging at his lips.

  ‘This is my friend, Raina,’ he replied, giving his brother a meaningful look at the word friend. ‘She works in the inn I’m staying at – her aunt and uncle own it.’

  ‘I believe introductions are supposed to go both ways,’ Raina said.

  ‘All right, nosy,’ he teased her, earning an affronted look. ‘Raina, this is my big brother Torell, who I hadn’t the slightest clue was coming to visit, and should be back home with his pregnant wife.’

  Raina frowned slightly as they began walking once more. ‘And is his visit . . . a good thing?’ she queried.

  Aleks paused, glancing sideways at his brother. ‘I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know.’ Torell snorted, taking one of the bags out of Raina’s grasp. ‘I’m insulted, little brother. Here, allow me.’

  Raina didn’t protest, and Torell grinned at her. ‘So how long has my brat brother been staying with your family, then?’

  ‘About a month and a half? Give or take a few days,’ Raina replied. Aleks blinked, surprised. Had he really been there so long already?

  ‘So, taking into account the travelling time, that still gives you . . . a week, in Rensav? Possibly ten days – I know how fast Quicksilver is,’ Torell calculated with a faint frown on his face. Aleks shook his head frantically at his brother, but Torell had never been good at reading non-verbal cues.

  ‘When were you in Rensav, Aleks?’ Raina asked, confused. ‘You said you came straight to Syvana from Baysar.’

  Torell’s brow furrowed, and he gave his brother an enquiring look. ‘You haven’t been bragging about your stint in the army, however short it might have been?’

  Aleks cursed silently, and Raina’s eyes narrowed. ‘Army?’

  Aleks wished the ground would swallow him up, wished a snowstorm would sweep in and make everyone forget about what had happened, but the ground stayed solid and the snowfall remained pathetically minimal.

  ‘Can we talk about this later? Back at the Compass, after work, where there aren’t so many people around?’ he asked sharply, eyes darting about for any glimpse of blue and black fabric. There were even more guards around than usual on market days, and if one of them happened to overhear him talking, it could spell the end for him.

  ‘Seeing as Aunt Ksenia will have both our heads if we’re not back soon, that’s probably for the best,’ Raina agreed, though she didn’t look happy about it. ‘But when you get home from Luka’s, you’re telling me everything.’ Aleks winced, glaring at his brother. Why did he have to barge in when things were going so well?

  ‘There you both are. What took you so long?’ Ksenia asked when they entered the inn, only to pause when Torell slipped in behind Aleks. ‘Oh. Who’s your friend?’

  ‘Ksenia, this is my older brother Torell,’ Aleks introduced reluctantly. ‘Torell, this is Ksenia, the lovely landlady of this establishment.’ Ksenia’s gaze grew inquisitive, but thankfully she did nothing but hold her hand out to Torell, allowing him to press a kiss to it. ‘Now I’m afraid I need to get to work, or Luka will have my head. Tor . . .’ He paused, running a hand through his hair in frustration. ‘Just stay here, all right? I’ll explain everything when I get home. Ksenia will take good care of you.’ And keep your mouth shut while I’m gone, he prayed silently, hoping he didn’t come back to even more confusion. Torell nodded, then turned to Ksenia with his best charming grin.

  ‘Need any help anywhere? My wife would never forgive me if I didn’t at least offer.’ Aleks sighed, pulling his hat back on and squeezing Raina’s shoulder as she rushed past him with a bowl of peeled potatoes.

  ‘We can talk later, I promise,’ he murmured, before turning for the door. He was already late; hopefully Luka would let him off.

  They had moved up to the control room of the skyship by now, Aleks having learned to name and use every part in the engine room with his eyes closed. Luka taught him the basics first, explaining how each part differed from a regular skyship, and Aleks begged him to go further in depth; anything that might get hi
m closer to being airborne. Still, to avoid disaster, Luka insisted that Aleks get a proper foundation on skyship mechanics and flight before he could start on the complicated stuff.

  Aleks didn’t dare broach the subject of flying through the Stormlands, not wanting to push his luck too early. He’d ask Luka about it again once he’d actually flown the ship and knew how difficult it was likely to be.

  All too soon, Aleks was walking through the door of the Compass and hanging his coat on the hook, his eyes immediately finding his brother in the busy dinner run.

  Torell was happily digging in to a bowl of thick stew, but Aleks could feel the man’s storm-blue eyes watching him as he started to take orders, rushing back and forth from the bar. Anything to postpone the inevitable.

  Only when the majority of orders had been taken did Ksenia force him on to a bar stool and set a plate down in front of him, reminding him that he’d hardly eaten since breakfast. ‘You can go and sit with your brother if you like, but the look on your face tells me you’d rather not,’ she remarked. He glanced over his shoulder at Torell.

  ‘Is it that obvious?’ he asked, and she nodded.

  ‘He did mention you had a lot to talk about. A conversation you don’t want to have, I presume?’

  Aleks grimaced. ‘You could say that.’

  Ksenia nodded in understanding. ‘Well, you’re welcome to take him up to your room if you want the privacy.’

  ‘No, he’s not,’ Raina interrupted on her way past. ‘Because I want to hear what’s going on, and I’m not allowed in his room.’ Aleks winced at the look on Ksenia’s face after her niece’s words.

  ‘That much to talk about, hmm?’ she said, giving Aleks a pointed look that made him want to both hide and spill all his secrets to the woman.