“Thank you,” Stevahn said gratefully, going toward the kitchen to dose himself.
The front door opened quickly and Menders rushed in.
“Hemmett, we have to get back to The Shadows,” he said briskly. “Aidelia is having Katrin moved to a suite and her household sent for. The messenger just went out by train. We need to get to the boat so we’re there when he arrives.”
Hemmett began pulling on his boots.
“This means less danger?” Stevahn asked anxiously.
Menders shook his head.
“So long as Aidelia is alive, Katrin’s in grave danger,” he replied. “This means we’ll be able to be with her openly. Hemmett and I will be staying in the suite with her. It will make access to the Palace and Aidelia much easier. We’ll be more aware of what is going on and better able to protect Katrin. Hopefully I will be able to get a look at this Prince Talbreth character and I might be able to do something for Petran Borghel.”
Kaymar let himself in.
“I heard,” he said, cutting off the beginnings of explanations. “If you don’t need me to go with you, I’ll stay here. Stevahn and Borsen shouldn’t be alone. Ifor’s already down at the boat, getting up steam.”
“We’d best hurry,” Menders said. “With this sudden shift, the gods only know what Aidelia is going to do. Bartan has Bertel and Klausen at the Palace now, so Katrin is as well guarded as she can be.
“Stevahn, it’s best we get all this out of your house – safest for you. I’d like to say good-bye to Borsen and let him know what’s happening.” Menders was rapidly gathering up dossiers from the table and handing them to Hemmett.
“I’m sorry, I dosed him. He’s sound asleep and I doubt you could wake him,” Stevahn explained.
“Good. I’m glad he’s asleep,” Menders nodded, though Stevahn could see regret in his face. “I’ll talk to him when I get back.” He went to Stevahn and put a hand on his arm.
“Take care of him,” he said very softly, then turned and went out into the street, Hemmett behind him.
Stevahn turned to Kaymar.
“So what does this mean?” he asked.
Kaymar leaned against the kitchen table.
“Katrin made Aidelia jealous to distract her from the Borghel boy being tortured,” he said quietly. “Apparently Aidelia’s swain was trying to snuggle up to Katrin. Aidelia must have been stewing over it and has decided to get Katrin out of the way. Unfortunately, this means that Menders and Hemmett will be within Aidelia’s reach, but at least they’ll have some freedom of movement. Menders isn’t likely to let Eiren come here. The danger is too great. You can be sure most of Menders’ Men will come back with him. The more people they can get around Katrin, the better.”
Stevahn felt himself becoming stupefied by exhaustion, by the need to lie down and let go and sleep for a few hours.
“What are they going to do, Kaymar?” he asked suddenly. “This can’t go on forever.”
“There’s only one thing to do,” Kaymar answered. “I don’t want to spell it out right now and you look ready to drop. Take whatever you gave Borsen and go to bed. I had a full night’s sleep down on the boat. I’ll keep watch here.”
Stevahn was too weary to consider what Kaymar thought was the only thing to do. He poured out a dose of ramplane, knocked it back and climbed the stairs to the bedroom. He climbed back into bed and snuggled up to Borsen’s back, looping an arm over him. He smiled as Borsen pressed back against him in his sleep and mumbled something in Thrun that sounded loving.
***
Eiren was trying read student essays, but it was impossible. It had been several days since anyone from Erdahn had been to The Shadows. She was sick with worry over Katrin and Menders and was concerned about her mother as well, as she was failing to pick up after a recent bout of illness.
Suddenly she heard Menders’ voice downstairs. She stood so quickly that her chair clattered over onto the floor. She fled out of their suite and down the stairs, throwing herself on Menders where he was standing in the entry, talking to Haakel.
“Ah, there’s my girl!” Menders said, trying to sound hearty, catching her in an embrace so strong she thought she would never breathe again.
“I’ll get right on it,” Haakel said, kindly leaving them alone.
“What’s happened?” Eiren asked when Menders finally put her down and smiled at her. His face was hard, though he was trying to hide it.
He explained about Katrin’s household being sent for. Eiren was elated.
“Good! I can pack in no time…”
“No,” Menders interrupted. “You must not come with us.”
“What?”
“Let’s go upstairs,” he said, taking her arm.
Once in their suite, Menders sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her.
“Desperately as I want you with me, my darling, I can’t let you come along,” he said. “It’s incredibly dangerous. Aidelia could order us all put to death the moment we get there. Worse, she could get hold of you and use you to get at me – or the person who is controlling her could.”
“What if I came in very quietly, dressed as one of the Men?” Eiren asked desperately. She had not seen Menders for weeks. To think of him turning around in a couple of hours and going again, without her, was unbearable.
“Eiren, they started to torture a young man to death the other day, as entertainment. It’s bad enough that Katrin’s in danger of that. I can’t take you into such a situation. I wish I didn’t have to take Hemmett and the Men, but I need them.”
“Oh my gods,” Eiren whispered.
“Yes – if they got hold of you…” Menders’ voice shook, but he rapidly gained control of himself. “You’re safer here, though not entirely. It might be necessary for you to go back to your father’s house. I’ll send word if that’s the case but I’m hoping it won’t have to be.” He unbuttoned his shirt and shrugged it off.
“What are you going to do?” Eiren asked, knowing he wouldn’t answer.
“I can’t tell you. Hopefully it will be soon,” Menders replied, looking up at her. Then he held out his arms. “We have a few hours. Help me think of anything but mad Queens and boys being tortured to death.”
The Palace, Erdahn, Mordania
4
“It Has Come. There Is No Stopping It”
L
iving in a suite with Menders and Hemmett was a great relief to Katrin. Menders had brought along all the assassins who were part of Menders’ Men, dressed as servants. Katrin was never alone and Aidelia’s lack of interest was evident, as there was no question about why Katrin’s household servants were all male.
Katrin’s senses and emotions seemed blunted. Being surrounded by so much madness, chaos and filth was taking a terrible toll on her ability to concentrate. Menders seemed distant a good part of the time. He kept Hemmett busy running errands and wandering around the Palace. Menders told Katrin nothing of what might be planned or what they might be working on, only asking that she give him all the information she could on the rare occasions where Aidelia sent for her. He always reminded her to keep Aidelia interested.
Katrin no longer pretended to be a country bumpkin and was relieved when she saw renewed curiosity in Aidela’s eyes. She began providing answers to Aidela’s tirades that were more than gentle and humble acquiescence. Sometimes she imitated Aidela’s eye rolling and other mannerisms, as if she admired and wanted to emulate her half-sister.
She even deliberately drew Aidela to be angry with her, watching as she grew excited with the heat of rage. Then Katrin would become cringing and abject, begging Aidela to forgive her while her half-sister rained slaps and kicks on her like a three-year-old in a tantrum. It kept Aidela occupied. So far Katrin had been able to defuse the rage before Aidela screamed for her to be taken to the dungeon.
It was a deadly and terrifying game. Katrin, upon returning to her rooms, would frequently fall directly into bed and huddle there, hoping Aidela would forget a
bout her for a while and leave her alone, let her be with those who loved her. Her longing for The Shadows was palpable.
***
Menders perused the information spread before him on the table of his safe house in Erdahn, one where he’d never lived but which was used as a nexus for Menders’ Men. Then he looked around the Men who were with him – Hemmett, Bertel, Klausen, six others. There were more at the Palace with Katrin, who was asleep after another exhausting day. Aidelia had returned to forcing her to stand and kneel for hours at a time. Katrin was also keeping Aidelia’s interest by deliberately provoking her. It was a difficult line to walk, straining Katrin’s inner resources to the limit.
Menders had deliberately kept Katrin out of the planning he and Menders’ Men had done. He knew she felt he was being distant. It was better that she know as little as possible, not only for her own peace of mind, but in case she was pressed for information. He hated doing it, but ignorance might be her only hope, should the worst come to the worst.
For Menders, that had already happened. He had a document in front of him, intercepted by Bertel just that day. It was a warrant for Borsen’s arrest. There was no more time to gather information or plan – action must be taken now. Someone in Aidelia’s Court knew of Borsen’s relationship to Katrin.
The warrant having gone astray would give Borsen enough time to disappear into Surelia. Menders had seen him onto a ferry that afternoon. Stevahn and Varnia were going on the night boat with Magic, after arranging for an absence from their townhouse. At least Borsen wouldn’t be alone, though he would be cut off from knowing what was happening to Katrin and the rest of them.
“All right,” Menders said. “We’re out of time. Tomorrow afternoon, Katrin is removed from the Palace and brought here. We move tomorrow night.”
He looked around the table. It was pointless to go through the plan again.
“If we fail, get out of there. We’ll get Katrin out on the boat, and evacuate as much of The Shadows as we can, because if we fail, The Shadows will be attacked. Everyone there is aware and ready to move on the signal.”
They all looked back at him, not one face showing fear or doubt.
“We can’t afford to fail, gentlemen,” Menders said.
***
Katrin started when she was abruptly summoned to attend Aidela in her private rooms. When Hemmett tried to follow her, he was prevented by the Palace Guards who had come with the message.
“Don’t worry, I’m well looked after, Captain,” Katrin said with false cheer, forcing a smile. Her eyes met Hemmett’s for a moment. She left with her two grim escorts.
It was a hot day. Katrin closed her mind to the stench of Aidelia’s rooms, trying to ignore the mingled odors of smoke, spilled and vomited wine, the musty stink of the bed, which hadn’t been changed in gods knew when. Aidelia, for once not wearing the bejeweled formal gown, was lounging about alone, her inner circle of perverts apparently elsewhere, probably trying to escape the heat. Her face was a mass of pimples and sores from her continual use of thick white makeup. Her lips were suppurating from the festering wounds inflicted by her sharpened teeth.
“I’ve planned some surprises for you, Sister,” Aidela said lazily. “I’ve sent for some people you know, to come to Court to entertain us.”
Katrin kept a smooth façade while a volcano erupted inside her. Aidelia’s idea of entertainment was well known to her.
Aidela was slobbering on.
“You never told me we had acquired a little cousin,” she drawled. “When I was given that information, I was very interested indeed. I’ve sent a little invitation to him so I can get to know him. I’m sure it will be very entertaining.”
Aidelia was staring at Katrin, licking her cracked lips hungrily.
“To think he’s been living right in the same town with me, and I was never informed that he was a relative,” she slurred through a grotesque smile. “I feel very hurt about that. After all, we’re such a small family now that our dear Mamma is gone. I think you meant to keep your little Borsen all to yourself, greedy little sister. He grew up with you out at your farm, I hear.”
Aidelia gave Katrin a look to let her know an answer was expected.
“Borsen has always wanted to make his own way, Sister,” she replied, keeping her voice low. “He didn’t wish to take advantage of his close relationship to us, but sought success his own way. He never wished to impose, particularly once you became Queen.”
“I understand he lives nearby too. So rude, never to visit family,” Aidelia went on as if Katrin hadn’t said a word. “He lives with another man. Is our cousin a nancyboy, Sister? You know how I feel about them. I should have them both here for a visit, don’t you think? You’d like to see them, I’m sure.”
Katrin’s head spun. She tried to think of anything she could say to help Borsen.
“Once I heard about this cousin, I began to understand why you’re so soft and weak,” Aidelia continued. “If your minder, that freak who raised you, surrounded you with such people it’s no wonder your mind is so feeble. He will have to be called to account for failing to produce a proper Heiress for the throne of Mordania.
“I’ve seen enough to make up my mind. Your minder is a traitor for failing to follow a Royal Command. You know what that means. He will be executed by torture – and the rest of your household as well. Perhaps even the people out on your farm.”
Katrin tried to speak but when she opened her mouth, no sound came out.
“You don’t like that, do you Sister?” Aidelia whispered.
She heaved herself up from the sofa and started to circle Katrin. Suddenly, without the formal gown, Katrin saw that Aidelia was pregnant, at least in the sixth month.
“That’s right, Sister – I’m expecting my Heiress,” Aidela sniggered. “You won’t be the Heiress much longer. You’ll be only a stupid country cow with no purpose. Once this bundle arrives, you will be – removed. Permanently.”
Suddenly inspired, Katrin said “May I congratulate you on your pregnancy,” with a gleeful smile.
Aidela looked startled and then preened a little. Katrin could see that she was drunk and having trouble concentrating. She’d already been diverted from talking about executions. Katrin could see Aidelia was trying to recall her train of thought, so she helped derail it further.
“It’s terribly hot, Sister,” she cooed. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“I want wine,” Aidelia said. “Be my maidservant, Sister. Fetch me wine.” She turned back to her sofa, her pregnant body awkward and bulky.
Katrin went to the table where her half-sister’s ever-present wine was stored – right near the brimful chamberpot. Her mind was racing. She must get away quickly, to find Menders and let him know what Aidela was planning. If she could get Aidelia to send her for more wine – perhaps it was sour? But no, Aidelia would drink almost anything. It would have to be absolutely foul for her to reject it.
Katrin looked around. Her eyes fell on the chamberpot.
She could see Aidela reflected in the glass of the decanter. She was lying on the sofa again, her eyes closed. A half-snore let Katrin know she was not paying attention.
Katrin rapidly dipped the rim of the wineglass into the contents of the chamberpot, scooping up a portion of the contents. She filled the glass with wine and carried it, a picture of sweet sisterly caring, across the floor to Aidela.
Aidela woke from her drowse with a snort as Katrin proferred the wine.
“I fear it smells off, dear,” Katrin said in a honeyed tone.
“I like it sour,” Aidela slurred, taking the glass and sipping. Her lip curled.
“It’s foul,” she snapped, flinging the glass across the room. “Go get some that is better.”
“Should I fetch the steward?” Katrin asked abjectly. From the smell on Aidela’s breath, she’d been drinking for hours. She was having trouble staying awake.
“No, fetch it yourself. You are to serve me from now on. With
out your household, you will need to earn your keep here as part of mine, for as long as I let you live. Get me some fresh wine and bring it back quickly.”
Katrin curtseyed deeply and left the room. The two Guards who had accompanied her from her suite were not there. The corridors were practically deserted, with only a drowsy looking page here and there. The Palace echoed with silence.
She raced down the halls toward her own suite, her mind whirling.
The mad bitch meant to kill Menders, Borsen, Hemmett, everyone at The Shadows as well – and she was pregnant. Gods knew what sort of monster she would bear and create, raising it at Court the way she had been. Aidelia had spoken of killing everyone Katrin loved in that final tone that meant this was something she would not forget, as she forgot so much else. She was wandering in her mind now because of the wine she’d drunk, but she would remember and give the order.
Katrin found her suite empty. Her heart plummeted. She ran from room to room, but Menders, Hemmett, Menders’ Men were nowhere to be found. Aidelia had gotten to them already! They’d been arrested while she’d been playing cat and mouse with Katrin. How to help them?
Suddenly, Katrin remembered walking on the beach at Leptham with Menders – she had been fifteen years old, and learned that if she became Queen of Mordania, she could change the way things were.
If she was Queen of Mordania, she could free Aidelia’s prisoners. She could free Menders and the rest of the people she loved. She did not want to be Queen, she had never wanted it, but if it would save them … how to become Queen?
Katrin bit back gushing tears and grabbed a decanter of wine from a tabletop, knowing she had to get back before Aidela became impatient. Then she slowed and stopped, still as a statue.
Then they came, the voices. The Queens.
It is the time of sacrifice! Show your strength, daughter of Mordania! You must tip the scales. Act! Now! If you fail, Mordania will run red with blood! Self must die! You must sacrifice yourself! Now! Now! Now, my daughter, now! Show your mettle, girl! Now, my beloved daughter!
Love and Sacrifice: Book Two of the Prophecy Series Page 61
