“What was that?” said Angela.
Smiling demurely, Rose brushed the question aside. “Nothing, dear. Just talking to myself.” Then she laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“Highwhore,” said Rose. “I haven’t heard that one before. It was rather clever, actually.”
Her maid frowned. “You shouldn’t laugh at such things, milady. I didn’t find it amusing whatsoever.”
“You have to laugh, Angela. Anger and tears only serve to embolden your enemies,” Rose replied. Besides, it may become truth if things go ill.
***
The void died, slain by a blinding white light that devoured everything, piercing my eyes. The fantasies of the past vanished and I sat up, hopeful, though I knew it was a false hope. Blinking and covering my watering eyes with one hand, I tried to see beyond the murky stone wall that separated me from the world.
It was fruitless, of course. Though the stone was now permeable, the enchantment that lay upon it still functioned, blocking my magesight, and my ordinary eyesight was not up to the task yet. Footsteps sounded as a man entered the room, and then my magesight identified him. Tyrion.
“Hello, grandson,” he intoned cheerfully.
“I liked you better when you were a figment of my imagination,” I told him seriously.
My ancestor stared at me curiously. “Having visions already? I suppose the darkness brings them quicker.”
Tyrion was well acquainted with the effects of isolation, though his prison hadn’t been nearly as silent and dark as mine. He had spent years confined to a small wooden room, seeing others only when his meals were brought, or when he was taken out to fight.
“The silence is worse,” I admitted. “Sometimes my heartbeat sounds so loudly in my ears I wonder if it will deafen me.”
“Hmm,” he said, looking thoughtful. “That never occurred to me. I brought you some water.” There was a clink as he placed a metal pitcher on the floor.
“How about food?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Unlike my experience, these people have no intention of keeping you in fighting condition. Prisoners only get one meal a day. You still have several hours to go.”
I ran my fingers through my hair, thinking. It made no sense that Ariadne would agree to such treatment. No matter what I had done, we were still family. Surely, she would want me fed properly. “What about the Queen?” I mumbled. “Doesn’t she care?”
Tyrion shrugged. “Probably. You know her better than I do. In any case, she is avoiding the matter on the advice of those around her. The chief jailor, Regan, is the one that has set the rules. He feels you should be treated much as the ordinary prisoners are.”
“You and Gareth are taking turns keeping watch, right?” I reminded him. “You’re a duke. The guards wouldn’t dare argue with you if you brought me food, or a blanket.”
“That may be,” admitted Tyrion. “But neither of us care enough to test the rule. No one wants to be considered a sympathizer. Your life may as well be over, Mordecai. Have some thought for those who survive you. Would you leave a blemish on our reputations just so you could have a blanket for a few miserable days?”
“Considering what you went through, I’d have thought you would have more sympathy,” I responded.
Sighing, Tyrion sat down on the bench beside me. “I do, truth be told. That’s why I’m here. The water isn’t supposed to come until your meal time. Don’t you feel grateful?” There was a not-so-subtle sneer in his voice.
“It sounds more like you came to rub my nose in it.”
“Guilty as charged!” he barked before pausing. After a moment, he began to laugh. “I suppose prison humor isn’t at the top of your list right now.”
I glared at him balefully. “What do you think?”
“Gareth said you were making jokes all the way to the cell. I was rather impressed,” said Tyrion. “But enough of that. I came to share some news.”
“Has my family come?” I asked.
“No idea,” said Tyrion. “I’m here to talk about ANSIS. You will be glad to know that my krytek are now reporting that the city is clear of any trace of it.”
“Congratulations,” I responded in a flat tone.
He gave me a slightly sour look. “You know as well as I do that this is far from over. They won’t give up so easily.”
“And?”
Tyrion said nothing for a while and he appeared to be struggling with himself. Eventually he went on, “I need your help.”
Lifting my arms, I showed him my manacles. “I’m a little tied up at the moment.”
He grinned. “That’s more like it. What I mean is I need your family.”
“Get your own,” I said harshly, before adding mentally, Oh, that’s right, you got most of them killed.
“I don’t think you want to see this world fall as so many others have. While you may not live to enjoy it, I know you care about your family and a lot of other people out there. Gareth Gaelyn is a fine mage, but he doesn’t have the creativity required to see us through this. With you heading to the gallows, that leaves me—and your children. Help me help them.”
The worlds were uttered with a sincerity I had never heard from the man before. In spite of myself, I believed him, but I didn’t want to. I hated the bastard.
He continued, “Your oldest son hasn’t shown up yet, but the Queen’s brother seems to think he’s able to pierce the veil between the dimensions. Not only that, I know myself that he’s a brilliant enchanter, much like yourself. While I don’t understand it, that device he and his mechanical friend have concocted to locate ANSIS is utterly beyond the expertise of the She’Har. I think your son may be the key to all of this. If I’m to have a hope of keeping this world safe, I’ll need him to cooperate with me.”
“Just him?” I said at last.
“Your daughter has the Centyr gift. Your son’s friend is a Mordan. Both of them could be very valuable. There are so few mages in general. All of your children will be important in the years ahead,” said Tyrion.
Almost choking on the words, I answered, “What is it you want me to do, exactly?”
“Tell me how to reach Matthew,” said Tyrion immediately. “If he returns before your execution, impress upon him the importance of working together with me. That goes for the rest of your offspring as well. They harbor a bit of a grudge against me after our previous encounter. Even Conall out there.” He jerked his head in the direction of the entrance. “He’s in awe of me, but he doesn’t trust me.”
“The last thing I could imagine telling my children—is to trust you,” I told him.
“Mordecai, listen. You’re a father, a true father. That’s why I let you have Lynaralla, not because of that stupid match we had. At some point, I realized you have something I’ve lost. I was never a parent, not truly. The brief time I had ended too soon. I can’t replace you, but I can promise to protect them in your place. What I do know, based on my failure as a father, is that you would do anything to protect them.
“You’re going to die. I can’t stop that. I don’t even particularly care about it, I won’t lie. But I respect your desire to ensure a better future for them. Tell them to work with me. Let me finish the job that you cannot.”
His false sincerity made the bile rise in my throat. “How do I know you aren’t the one that killed Leomund?” I accused.
Tyrion began to laugh.
“It seems awfully convenient for you,” I declared. “If I’m locked up, executed, that leaves a neat power vacuum for you to fill. With me out of the way, you can do whatever you want.”
When he finally stopped laughing, he replied, “You give me too much credit. I am not so cunning as that.”
“Aren’t you?” I argued. “Have you forgotten I have your memories of that time? You waited years while you orchestrated the plan fo
r your revenge. You devised not one, but two plans to ensure the demise of the She’Har, and you successfully executed both of them. I know you aren’t stupid. In fact, I think this barbaric persona you display for everyone to see may be nothing more than an affectation to make them underestimate you.”
“Is that what you think?” asked Tyrion.
I nodded. “Others might mistake you for a violent brute, but I think you’re just pretending, inspired by your psychopathic daughter Brigid, perhaps.”
His aythar flashed and Tyrion’s hand shot forward, stopping close to my throat. It was sheathed in deadly aythar, a product of the tattooed enchantment that covered his skin. “Careful what you say,” he warned. “One more word about any of my children and I might just forget my determination to protect this world.”
I met his eyes evenly. “Did you do it? Did you kill the Prince?”
Tyrion watched me for several seconds and then dismissed his armblade. “Does it matter? Even if I did, my promise to you is sincere and your options are the same. You’ll either help me or die knowing that this world’s time is in short supply. I don’t think you’ll gamble with your children’s future like that.”
He left without waiting for my reply.
Chapter 17
Another eon passed before light returned to my world again. I almost hoped it was because they were bringing me out for my trial. The isolation was becoming unbearable. My only clue to how much time had passed was the fact that I had only had one meal, so it was improbable that it was the day of the trial already.
I might even have welcomed another visit from Tyrion, but to my surprise the figure that entered the cell was eminently feminine.
“Rose?” I croaked. My throat was dry, for my water ration had run out long ago.
“It’s me, Mordecai,” she answered softly. Then she turned and called out, “Can someone give me a lantern? It’s pitch black in here.” She stepped out and returned a minute later, carrying a light. The wall became solid once more and then she gave me her full attention. “You look terrible.”
“You shouldn’t be here,” I told her. “People will talk.”
“You aren’t allowed visitors,” said Rose.
“Then how did you get in?”
“I’m your counsel,” she said smugly. “People can say what they like, but I can’t do my job if I don’t talk to you.”
“You’re wasting your time. They’ve already made up their minds. The only reason I can see that they haven’t come to hang me yet is they haven’t been able to decide which rope they want to use.”
Rose gave me a look of disapproval. “We’ve already been over this, Mort.”
“We have?” I asked, surprised.
She nodded. “Yes, the last time you were on trial. Hopefully this time you’ll listen more carefully to my advice.”
“You’re hopeless,” I said with a sigh.
She smiled. “I’ve been called worse.” Smoothing her skirts, she sat down beside me.
“I doubt it,” I responded. “No one would dare.”
“You would be surprised,” she muttered, so low I could barely hear her.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing,” said Rose. “We have more important things to discuss. I’m only permitted a limited amount of time here.”
“You haven’t asked the most important question, yet,” I said.
She arched one brow. “And what do you think that question is?”
“Did I do it?”
Rose looked disgusted. “If I thought that, I’d be planning your escape, not a futile court defense. No, what I want to know first is why did you go there when I expressly told you not to?”
With a boyish grin, I replied, “On a lark.”
“As I suspected,” she said grimly.
“What did you suspect?”
“That you, Mordecai Illeniel, are a complete and utter fool. Sometimes I wish I could strangle you,” she answered seriously.
I shrugged. “Apparently you aren’t alone.”
“Where did you go after you spoke with me that day?” she questioned.
“I took a stroll through the city and then went to visit my factor, David Summerfield.”
“Did you speak with anyone else other than him?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Not until I decided to storm Leomund’s hunting lodge.”
“Did you tell David where you planned to go before you left?”
“David showed me a map, so I could find it,” I responded. “I don’t think I told him I was planning to go right then, but I’m sure he could have guessed that was my plan.”
Rose nodded. “How long did it take you to get there after you left?”
“A half an hour, maybe? I flew.”
“And how long were you there before you broke in and confronted the Prince-Consort?” asked Rose.
“Two or three hours.” By now I was sitting as close as possible without touching her, not for some romantic reason, but because I was freezing. I could feel the heat given off by her body and I had to fight the urge to press myself against her.
Rose pursed her lips. “That’s unfortunate.”
“How so?”
“More time expands the possibility that someone learned of your destination and could have reached there soon enough to frame you,” she explained. “Can Tyrion or Gareth fly the same way you do?”
“No,” I said. “Not that I’m aware, at least. Even so, there was more than enough time, but I never detected another wizard.”
“Could they have hidden themselves from you?” asked Rose.
“No,” I said. “My range is as good as or better than theirs. I would have become aware of them if they came within a mile or two. Only a Prathion could have gotten close undetected.”
She looked thoughtful. “George is in Arundel still. Do you know where Elaine is?”
“She was staying at my home,” I informed her. “I haven’t seen her in a few days, but you can’t seriously suspect her of being involved in this.”
“It’s my job to consider every possibility until we discover what actually happened,” she said sternly. Then she continued her interrogation. I couldn’t fault her thoroughness or her work ethic. She covered every detail, no matter how ordinary or mundane. Rose wanted to know who had arrived with David Airedale, how many servants had been in the house, how many had actually seen me. She questioned me regarding how long I was actually in the building and how much I had said to them. She spent a particularly long time grilling me about the events that occurred after I entered the Prince’s bedroom.
When she finished, I asked her a question of my own, “Have you considered those who weren’t there?”
“Such as?”
“Those who stand to gain from my removal,” I clarified. “Tyrion for example.”
She nodded, and a look of discomfort crossed her features. “I’ve already spoken with him.”
“So have I.”
She looked surprised, so I described my conversation with my ancestor to her. When I was done, I gave her the obvious conclusion, “He admitted he had a lot to gain, and he didn’t deny it.”
“He didn’t admit it either,” countered Rose. “It sounds to me as though he would prefer to torment you with the suggestion.”
“So you believe him?” I said, aghast.
“Mordecai,” said Rose, “you are too close to this matter. You already hate the man. Your emotions are making it impossible to consider him objectively.” Lifting her hand, she brushed the hair away from my ear, then hissed and drew her hand back in alarm. “Your skin is ice-cold!”
I smiled hopelessly. “It’s not quite that bad.”
“No, it’s worse than that,” she said angrily. “You aren’t even shivering.” Cupping my cheeks between two palms that felt a
lmost painfully hot, she stared into my eyes. Then she looked around the cell. “Why don’t you have a blanket?”
I shrugged.
“This is unforgiveable,” she announced, pulling me close and wrapping her arms around me. I wanted to cry from gratefulness at the sudden warmth. The respite was brief, however. A moment later she pulled away and stood up, putting her back toward me. “Help me unlace this,” she ordered.
“Huh?” I said dumbly. It hardly seemed the time.
“Do as I say, Mordecai. This is no time to fool around,” she said firmly.
My thought exactly. But I didn’t argue. With numb fingers, I used my shackled hands to undo the laces, whereupon she promptly began to wiggle, sliding the dress over her head. Belatedly, I realized what she meant to do. “I’m not wearing your dress, Rose,” I protested.
“Of course not, you silly man! I couldn’t walk out of here in my undergarments.” Then she reached down and began to lift the hem of the soft gown that had been under her dress. I knew quite well there were no more layers beneath it.
I shot to my feet and caught her wrists just as her hands reached mid-thigh. “What are you doing?”
“Making sure you don’t die of exposure before I can save your life in court,” she replied softly. “Now let go of my arms. This is hard enough for me without you making a fuss.”
“But…”
“It isn’t anything you haven’t seen before,” she argued.
When? shouted my inner voice, but then I realized what she must mean. “That was Penny, not—not you.”
While she had seemed embarrassed at first, my dramatic reaction had removed her fear. Now she appeared to be enjoying my mortified response. “I meant your magesight. You’ve told me about it many times. I doubt I have any surprises for you.”
Magesight was one thing; seeing a naked woman in the flesh was quite another. I started to say that, but then held my tongue. I would only be embarrassing her further, and she was obviously determined to do this. Slowly, I released her wrists. If I hadn’t already been half-frozen, my cheeks would have flushed.
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