“Certainly not. Or at least not until you cook me a roast chicken better than Magda’s, which I’m sure will never happen.”
“I’m sure it won’t either.” He grinned. “It was worth a try.”
“I’d like to talk to you,” Gwynneth said, “but first, my little one needs to go to bed.”
“Of course,” Florian said, “follow me.”
“I’ll bring the warming pans,” Magda said, and a great clatter ensued behind them.
Stella was already dozing off as Gwynneth carried her to the little bedroom.
“I hope you don’t mind sharing.” Florian put the lamp he’d been carrying on a little table. “The house is big, but short on bedrooms. Though you ought to see the larder.”
“That’s a good trade.” Gwynneth put Stella into one of the two beds, and then stood aside as Magda bustled in with a warming pan, already covered in a cloth.
“I’d have started this an hour ago,” she said, “but didn’t know the little one was so tired.”
“It’s fine,” Gwynneth said, “and the pan is a treat.”
“You’ll have one later,” Magda said, “You and the prince.”
“Thank you,” Devyn said.
Gwynneth hoped he was becoming less snooty, since that could only help their cause.
Stella tucked in and warm, Florian led them back out to the sitting room, and pulled three chairs close to the fire.
“Now, what did you want to discuss?” he asked after they’d made themselves comfortable.
“I’ll help your cause,” Gwynneth said, “but on one condition.”
“Let’s hear it then.”
Gwynneth took a deep breath. “Princess Viviane still sits in the temple dungeon. In spite of her confessing to planning my husband’s murder, I couldn’t have her executed, since I’m not considered a proper Isenwald authority. But I want her to die. If you can help me with that, I’ll do everything I can to help your cause.”
Anton
Anton got no end of teasing from Trystan about his quest to save Maryna, though Karil was sympathetic.
“You’ll understand once you meet her, Your Grace,” Karil said as they rested in a tavern one evening. “She’s terribly sweet, and I don’t blame Kronek for being in love with her.”
“It’s Captain Kronek to you, trooper,” Anton said, annoyed, though he never tired of saying “captain” when it came in front of his name. “And I’m not in love with her. She’s just a friend.”
He hadn’t seen her in years, so maybe that would change when he saw her again. Though he’d resolved never to fall in love again, having it happen with a princess, where there was no chance of anything developing, might be a good substitute for the real thing.
“Of course,” Trystan said. “And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to help a friend. I just hope we can figure out how to do it.”
They pushed themselves and their company hard, as they had while heading for Isenwald. They didn’t bother to stop and see Prince Dristan in Aquianus, even though Gwynneth had recommended it.
It froze hard at night now, which made for uncomfortable camping, but better traveling conditions as the mud of the roads froze solid. It snowed a little every now and then, but only enough to frost the trees and bushes with white.
So they crossed the border to Galladium less than a week after leaving Isenwald, and reached Allaux four days after that.
“Now, we must do this correctly,” Trystan said. “The Galladians love their protocol.”
“We know,” Anton and Karil said at the same time. Anton was a little annoyed at the way Trystan was taking over, when he had never lived here before.
His Galladian wasn’t even very good, but Trystan was sure that didn’t matter. “They’ll care more about my rank than my accent. Trust me. Now, we’ll each order a bath, a haircut and put on our best clothes.”
Anton didn’t think all of that mattered very much as long as they had Braeden and Gwynneth’s letters, but he was wrong. The moment they approached King Gauvain’s vast palace, Anton realized he wouldn’t get through its doors without Trystan, letters or not.
Trystan put on his haughtiest air, and to Anton and Karil’s surprise, introduced Karil as Baron Andarosz. Karil’s eyebrows shot up, but then he shrugged. “Guess I am.”
“Now I feel especially lowly, being a mere captain.” Being born to a title must be nice, but Anton had earned his rank, which was much better.
Faced with a duke and a baron, the haughty majordomo hurried off to deliver the letters.
While they waited, the boys were shown into a little antechamber, where a pretty maid served them wine and pastries.
“I like this country.” Trystan winked at the maid.
She giggled and smiled at him, though her eyes lingered on Anton when she brought him his glass. He didn’t like the Galladian wine, but took it anyway. They waited quite a long time, but then came a commotion outside the door, and a footman entered.
“Her Royal Highness, Queen Zofya of Galladium,” he announced in a funny, high-pitched voice, and the three of them scrambled to their feet.
First came four ladies, all dressed in elaborate dresses of different colors. After them came a cute, tiny girl who must have been the queen, though she was shorter than the rest by a head. She was followed by four more ladies and two footmen.
Pushing her ladies aside, the queen hurried to stand in front of Trystan as they bowed. “Are you the Duke of Podoska?” she asked, waving a sheet of paper that Anton recognized as Braeden’s letter.
“I am.” Trystan was looking her over with interest, even though his manner remained stiff and correct.
“I’m so glad you’ve come,” she said, and it was true, she looked anxious. “And these are?” she glanced at Karil and Anton, then looked again at Anton.
“Captain Anton Kronek at your service.” He gave her his special, crooked smile, the one with the dimples.
“Hm,” she said, and turned to Karil as he introduced himself. “It’s nice to meet you, though I must confess I’d hoped Count Terris could come himself, or send someone well—older.” She blushed. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m terribly worried about Princess Maryna, and the Maxima too.”
Anton could hardly believe this sweet little thing could be Teodora’s daughter, or even the sister of the drab Elektra.
Karil was staring at her too, as if he were just as puzzled.
“I’m afraid Count Terris is busy helping your sister rule Isenwald,” Trystan said smoothly. “But I can also assure you that our youth doesn’t mean we’re inexperienced. I trust Count Terris included our credentials?”
“Oh, I’m sure he did. I read the letter too fast, I’m afraid. I’m sure all of you are brilliant, and I apologize for doubting you. Let’s sit, so I can tell you what little I know.”
This took some arranging as everyone around the queen scrambled to bring her a chair, then get out of the way while still being in close listening range.
Anton felt claustrophobic.
“I’m afraid the king has been keeping me in the dark.” Queen Zofya leaned forward and dropped her voice. That seemed to do no good as everyone around her leaned forward too. “I’m certain he received a letter from Natalya Maxima a while ago, but he didn’t tell me what was in it.
“I didn’t push it at the time, since he’s so worried about the war, but I will ask him again now. Combined with Count Terris’s and Princess Gwynneth’s letters, I’m sure that will convince him to share whatever information he has.”
Anton hoped that she was right, but also that the king had information that would be useful to them.
Gwynneth
A big snowstorm moved in, but the farmhouse was warm and comfortable, and Magda kept them well-fed. Devyn lost his surliness, and followed Florian around, arguing with him endlessly, though in a friendly fashion. Gwynneth was grateful for Florian’s patience and good nature.
Stella was doing better. It occurred t
o Gwynneth that she had spent little time alone with her children since her captivity in Galladium. Apparently, she needed to be under house arrest to be a good mother. With Devyn occupied with Florian, Gwynneth and Stella played games or helped Magda with her baking.
Gwynneth had rarely set foot in a kitchen, and never to cook anything, so she was as clumsy as her daughter. In spite of that, Magda was kind, in a strict way, teaching her how to measure ingredients and knead dough correctly. It was enjoyable, and always warm in the pleasant kitchen.
A few other folk were staying in the house, peasant-looking types all of them. But they treated Gwynneth and the children with cautious respect, and she never felt the need to fear any of them. She was also enjoying the informality of the situation, and after a week, didn’t mind appearing at dinner with flour on her nose and all over her dress.
Florian looked at her with more amusement than mockery in his eyes. “Who would have thought being a kitchen maid suited you so well?”
Gwynneth smiled, unembarrassed.
“I’m sorry you’re stuck with us for so long, but we can’t do much when it’s snowing like this,” Florian went on. “I have people carrying out a few small raids while it’s easy to cover their tracks. We must wait for the weather to clear before we can mount a larger operation.”
“I wish you’d stop with the raiding altogether,” Gwynneth said. “Can’t you put everything on hold until we’ve discussed the situation? I’m sure I can intervene with Count Terris, and things will go better for you if you haven’t committed any more crimes.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” Florian’s eyes turned sober. “What some of us have already done will be more than enough to condemn us.”
“I’ll plead for leniency on your behalf,” Gwynneth said. “I swear it, if you help me kill Princess Viviane. Count Terris is a reasonable man, and likely at least a little sympathetic to your cause. You’re making his job difficult which I’m sure he doesn’t appreciate, but if you stop, he’ll be easier to deal with.”
“Perhaps. In any case, we ought to plan our next move. I’m sure people will be searching for you, and I don’t want to run into them. Kronfels is rather far away, so we must think about the journey and what to do when we get there.”
“Let me get a message to Count Terris,” Gwynneth said, seeing an opening. “I’m sure he won’t mind helping us with that mission, at least secretly.” She swallowed. “Of all people, he has reason to hate the princess.”
“I’m sure he does. Let’s discuss it a little later.” In other words, he didn’t want the children around.
Gwynneth had trouble getting Devyn to bed early, but managed it with the promise that there’d be action sooner if they could make plans now.
“I’ll need your help carrying it out, I’m sure,” Gwynneth told him, as she tucked him into bed. “But I need you to stay with your sister.” Stella went to sleep much faster if she could cling to Devyn in the little bed they shared. “I promise to tell you everything we talk about.”
When she returned to the sitting room, Florian sat alone in front of the fire and Gwynneth joined him there. “Should I get the others?” Three men, a woman and Magda sat at the table in the kitchen, their murmurs barely audible.
“Not yet. I want just the two of us to talk for. I want you to tell me exactly what happened and the extent of Princess Viviane’s involvement.”
Gwynneth hesitated. She hadn’t talked about it with anyone yet, except for Braeden. Even that had been difficult, so she wasn’t sure how much she could tell a stranger. On the other hand, telling someone who hadn’t known Kendryk might be easier.
“I understand it’s difficult for you to talk about it, and you needn’t go into detail.” Florian had turned toward her and his eyes were softer than she’d ever seen them, without a hint of mockery.
Gwynneth took a deep breath. “No, it’s all right. Everyone should hear of what she did, and the incredibly treacherous way she did it.”
Florian just nodded, then turned back to face the fire, waiting for her to begin.
She told him everything then, from the time she left Allaux with Daciana Tomescu, and why she was stuck in Galladium for so long.
“Everyone heard you were dead,” Florian said, “and there are still people here who aren’t convinced it’s you.”
“I’m not sure how to prove it, except that anyone who knew me before, knows it’s me now. I’ve changed for the worse, but I still look like myself. Or at least my mother,” she added bitterly.
“You’re unhappy right now,” Florian said, his voice soft, “but you still look the same as you always did, just a bit sadder.”
She turned to face him. “How do you know what I looked like before?”
He smiled. “I watched you and your husband pass on your way to Kronfels for the Landrus trial. That seems like a lifetime ago. I’ll never forget how beautiful the two of you looked together, and how happy.”
Gwynneth felt the tears starting, but pushed them back. She’d done enough crying; it was time to get to work. “We were happy. But that’s over now, and I need to punish the person who stole him from me.”
“I understand,” Florian said, “and I swear to help you. Now let’s talk about how we will manage it.”
Anton
Anton had hoped they’d get an audience with King Gauvain at once, but things didn’t work out that way. He’d forgotten how long it took to get anything done in Galladium. He’d been spoiled during his earlier stay here, living in the Maxima’s palace, and just asking her if he or the count needed anything.
Having to go through official channels was very different. Knowing how things operated, the queen would have to make an appointment to see her own husband in private, without crowds of courtiers hovering over them. Anton didn’t know how she could stand it.
But Allaux was a fun place if you had time and money, and Anton had both. He and Karil enjoyed showing Trystan all of their favorite haunts, while he introduced them to the theater, something Anton had never experienced before.
“Your Galladian is good, so you’ll enjoy it more than I will,” Trystan told Anton. “But I’ll enjoy looking at the actresses.” He waggled his eyebrows. “It’s said even the most beautiful are happy to spend time with you, provided you pay them enough.”
“I’ve never had to pay for a woman’s company,” Anton said scornfully. “And I never will. They’re the ones who should be pleased to spend time with me.”
“You’re abominably confident.” Trystan shook his head and grinned. “Though I suppose you’re right. Still, if you see one you like, let me know and I’ll arrange something. Once she gets a look at you, she might have supper with you strictly for the pleasure of your company.”
“Don’t make fun,” Anton said. “Some women like me, but not all of them.” He wanted to make it all of them as soon as possible, but he reckoned he needed to get a little older, a lot richer, and a lot higher-ranking before he managed that.
Still, he went to the theater and enjoyed himself. The story was very funny, though he found he had to explain a lot of the jokes to Trystan. The actresses were pretty enough, though they wore a great deal of face paint.
“She could be eighty years old,” Anton told Trystan as they left, “and you wouldn’t know unless you scraped all of that stuff off.”
“Looks good from a distance, though, doesn’t it?” Karil said wistfully. Anton wondered how much experience he’d had with girls. Karil wasn’t bad-looking and a good fellow, but his loud, blunt way frightened girls off. Anton hoped he’d find someone nice before too long.
Ten days passed, and Anton worried. If Maryna was in danger, every day counted. What if she was in a prison somewhere, or had been captured by bandits?
But at last the summons came, and the boys went through the whole bath and dress up routine again. The queen asked them to a private supper in her apartments, and though she didn’t say the king would be there, the only reason she’d be
summoning them now was because she’d learned something new.
Once they were on their way to the palace, Anton realized he might hear something bad. Maybe the queen had learned that Maryna and Natalya were dead. The thought made him feel terrible, and he struggled to think about something else as they were led through lengthy, elaborate corridors and ornate rooms.
Anton had thought the Maxima’s palace the finest building he’d ever been inside, but this seemed at least four times as big, if not more elaborate. He forgot all about Maryna and tried not to gawk like a bumpkin when the footman took them into a room paneled in amber. Anton had only ever seen little pieces of it, and being surrounded by it was overwhelming.
“You could buy a dozen Podoska estates just with the walls of this room.” Trystan seemed unashamed of gawking himself. “King Gauvain must be incredibly rich.”
Anton hoped they weren’t meeting the queen in here, the room was so distracting, but the footman knocked on an adjacent door, and receiving a response, opened it, indicating the boys should go through.
The queen waited for them in yet another fine room, this one hung all in dark blue silk and velvet, with cloth-of-silver accents. “Thank you so much for coming,” she said, as if they were the ones doing her a favor.
Anton decided she was prettier and better than any old actress.
“The king will join us in a moment, I hope. He has more information, but wanted to tell all of us together.”
“I hope it’s not bad news,” Anton blurted out.
“So do I.” She led them to a group of chairs. “We’ll wait for the king here and have supper when he arrives.”
Once they were seated she said, “I don’t think it’s bad, at least not completely. I’m sorry you had to wait so long. The king left to review troops going to the front the morning after you arrived and just returned yesterday. He was quite upset he didn’t received Count Terris’s message sooner. Now, tell me, what did you do to pass the time while you waited? I never get to go out, and Allaux must be so interesting.”
Winter of the Wolf (The Desolate Empire Book 4) Page 42
