“When?”
“You won’t be there.”
“I should be there,” she frowned at him. “Do you want them demoted?”
“They have been faithful in the past. But I cannot excuse current sloth for previous behavior, not when it nearly killed you.”
Arianwyn shook her head. “Your Majesty, it was an ambush. And I was the one who sent them around back to wait for me. Are you suggesting that they should also disobey orders?”
Rael scowled at her. “Of course not. Only when your safety is in question.”
“And where was the question? We were heading into the stables. Perhaps you should be investigating how the attackers entered, rather than your faithful guards.”
Rael stood up, pacing. He glanced between Arianwyn and the guards, a dark scowl on his face. “We will discuss this later. Until then, James and Rynert will continue to guard you in their stead.” Arianwyn frowned, glancing at the guards also. She took a few deep breaths and tried to relax. Hammurabi slipped quietly back into the room, followed by Alyssa who was carrying carefully folded, white bandages. When they entered, Rael dismissed Sigurd and Wymond.
Hammurabi laid his bag on a table in the room. He picked up one of the small braziers and quickly fanned the coals into life. A rough tin cup found its way onto the brazier, filled with a small amount of water. He held a small bowl and a long rock. He removed a twisted root and ground it into a fine pulp. He tossed the pulp into the tin cup before pulling out a tiny blue flower and grinding it to a pulp as well. He spread out a long, white linen cloth and smeared it with the blue flower. He turned to the pulp in the tin cup and gave it a quick stir. A bitter smell filled the room. As soon as the mixture was fragrant, he added the pulp to the linen cloth.
“Lady Arianwyn, if you will roll to your stomach?” Arianwyn obediently rolled over. She blushed as Hammurabi pulled the blanket down to her waist. He muttered under his breath, ignoring her embarrassment, and carefully wrapped the cloth around her wound, poultice side down. Almost immediately, Arianwyn felt the muscles in her back release. “How do you feel?”
“Relaxed,” Arianwyn said, surprised.
Hammurabi shared a glance with Rael. Rael nodded and moved toward the door, Hammurabi in tow. “Wait,” Arianwyn called. They paused and looked at her. “What is it?”
Hammurabi glanced at Rael again, questioning. When Rael nodded, he responded, “We were correct in assuming poison. I believe it originated from near the ocean. Sometimes, a kind of seaweed washes onto the shore. Some fishermen make their living searching for it. It can be beneficial when taken orally and sparingly to induce sleep. Used on a weapon in a concentrated amount, however, produces a coma in the victim. Usually, victims do not awake from the coma.”
Arianwyn stared at Hammurabi, an unspoken nervousness reflected in her eyes. Rael shook his head. “I doubt it was the Makara.”
Arianwyn bit her lip, glancing at Hammurabi again. “But aren’t you known for your poisons?”
Hammurabi smiled briefly. “Yes, Lady Arianwyn, we are. And had the poison originated from the swamps, you would have died instead of lying unconscious.”
“Then where did the poison come from?”
“Although I do not believe my people poisoned you, it is entirely possible that they sold the poison to your would-be assassins. With his Majesty’s permission, I will be following possible routes of entry, hopefully leading us to the perpetrators.”
“And I will immediately inform His Imperial Emperor of what has happened,” Rael said. “I need you to remember every detail possible. When you have more strength, we will discuss what we have each learned. For now, rest. Alyssa will see to your needs.”
28-Unanswered Questions
It was nearly two weeks after the attack and her back still pained her. The wound from the attack had been stubborn about healing. For the first week, Arianwyn lay on her stomach while Hammurabi changed the dressing every few hours. He said it was to draw out the poison. Despite his care, infection set in the week after. Hammurabi had been forced to open the wound and bleed it. She was only just beginning to heal, but was stiff. Alyssa had to help her change or she would reopen the wound, something Hammurabi was adamant she not do.
In spite of her back, Arainwyn arranged to meet with Bernie. She was not certain how she would deal with him. She hoped something would present itself during their conversation. She fidgeted while she waited for him to arrive. She had asked Alyssa to stay with her to meet Bernie in her reception chambers. Edmund, Halvard, and Kerr shadowed them. Edmund continued muttering Sigurd’s dire warnings about the meeting.
“Edmund, I need to speak with him. I promised the king I would ask about the frequency of the rumors of Soulless,” she said when his mutterings became to much.
“Oh, it’s only him who can answer?” he asked, sarcasm dripping thick from his voice.
“Nothing is going to happen!” she snapped.
“Does he know that?”
Arianwyn scowled at him. “I’m engaged, aren’t I?”
“Some men see that as a challenge.”
“Not Bernie. He knows better.” Edmund snorted. “Hush, here he comes.” Edmund’s shoulders tightened and his scowl darkened as Bernie approached. Bernie bowed low when he reached her. “Bernie, you don’t need to bow to me.”
Alyssa coughed quietly in the background. “Yes, he does,” she murmured so only Arianwyn could hear.
“At least, not when we’re in private,” Arianwyn amended.
“I was hopin’ to speak to yeh in private,” he muttered, mountain accent thick now that they were speaking to each other. His eyes darted to her bodyguards and Alyssa.
“I’m sorry, this is as private as can be managed. Perhaps we could walk along the walls or something.”
“No,” Halvard said shortly. Arianwyn raised an eyebrow at him. “It is too exposed and you are not completely whole yet.” She sighed, knowing he was correct. Sigurd and Wymond were still healing from the attack. Until they were whole, Halvard and Edmund would protect her days and Rynert and James her nights.
“Well, what are you doing here in the capital?” She gestured for him to sit.
Bernie sighed, sitting down and resting his elbows on his knees. “I came to tell the king about you. I thought…well, I thought he could help me know how to keep you safe, maybe capture the dragon.”
Arianwyn blinked. “You thought Parvati was going to hurt me?”
“Dragon’s’re fearsome creatures,” he muttered, avoiding her eyes. “Anyway, I never thought I’d find yeh here and engaged to the king…” His voice trailed off and he glanced at her.
“Don’t you have something to ask him so we can be done with this meeting?” Edmund asked. Ice was softer than his voice.
Arianwyn covered her irritation with another sigh. “Yes, I do. Bernie, how frequent are these rumors about the Soulless? Did they just appear or have they been around for awhile?”
Bernie scratched his head, scowling again at Edmund and Halvard. “They’re old rumors tha’ have new life ever couple years. I tol’ yeh tha’ some soldiers refuse the border patrol. Either they saw what happened o’ know someone who saw.”
“Good, let’s go to your next appointment, Lady Arianwyn,” Edmund inserted.
“Not yet. Will you please give us a moment? There are things we need to discuss.” Edmund and Halvard glared. She scowled back. “Now. You’ve seen to my rooms, no one will hurt me and Lady Alyssa will be nearby. Please don’t make me order you.” The guards glared fiercely at Bernie, but left the room...and the door ajar. “Lady Alyssa, would you please give us a moment. There are some very delicate matters that I need to speak to Bernie about.”
Alyssa frowned. “Lady Arianwyn, it would not be appropriate.”
Arianwyn rolled her eyes. “Nothing is going to happen between us. You can even leave your door open. But I need this opportunity to speak privately with him.” Alyssa stood, still frowning, and curtsied. She entered her room, l
eaving the door open as wide as possible. She dragged a chair to the opening and sat down primly, watching. Arianwyn sighed. “I suppose that’s as private as we’ll get.”
“Arianwyn,” Bernie murmured. He shook his head. “It still seems strange, after knowin’ yeh as Jinny for so long.” He stared directly at her, reaching out for one of her hands.
Arianwyn snatched her hand back, focusing her gaze on his ear. “Bernie, I’m sorry I lied to you. At the time, I didn’t feel I had a choice. I had to protect Parvati and me.”
“Yeh woulda told me the truth eventually,” he said quietly, still staring at her. He reached again for her hand. She folded her arms to keep her hands safe from him.
Arianwyn risked a glance at his eyes. She averted her eyes again, blushing at the intensity in his eyes. “Bernie, I'm not certain I would have then. I’m not the same person—“
“I asked yeh a question once,” he interrupted. “Yeh’ve still to answer me.” He glanced in Alyssa’s direction, one hand going to his pocket. “I’m still waiting for an answer. I hope yeh’ll schedule another chat together.” Bernie stood up. Arianwyn stood with him, arms coming to her side. He caught Arianwyn’s hand and brought it to his lips. Arianwyn felt something hard and warm pressed into her palm. “I await, m’lady.” He gave her a lopsided smile and left the room.
Slowly, stomach sinking, Arianwyn turned her hand over and looked. “That was short,” Alyssa said, coming back into the room.
Arianwyn made a quick fist again, smiling at Alyssa. “I didn’t think it needed to be drawn out. Will you have Willow fetch Nami? I need to review my schedule again.” When Alyssa left, Arianwyn opened her hand again. The simple golden ring gleamed in the firelight, mocking her and her choices.
Bernie
Bernie smiled to himself. The two weeks of waiting had been worth it for that moment. The look on her face when she felt the ring in her hand...He chuckled to himself. There were a few set backs, but things were developing nicely. This was even better than his original plan. And with the funding from his new patron, things were certain to be easier.
He turned a corner for the Arena, considering his next move. Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Bernie stopped, looking toward the corner of the courtyard. His contact waved him over.
“What do you want?” he asked. “Now is hardly a good time to be meeting.”
“Our patron wants to know what is happening. That poison was expensive, after all.”
Bernie shook his head. “You know, and he knows, that it did not work. She woke up two weeks ago.”
“Your lack of results is disturbing,” the man remarked.
Bernie laughed. “Have patience. This is working even better for us than if she had remained asleep.” The man arched an eyebrow and Bernie grinned at him. “I just proposed marriage. She did not say no.”
The man smiled back. “That is good news. Do you wish the rumors to worsen?”
“Not yet. Give it a little time, maybe after our next meeting.” The man nodded and left. Bernie returned to the Arena, whistling through a gap in his teeth. Yes, things were going quite well.
29-Secrets Revealed
Shortly after her meeting with Bernie, Rael began interrogating her about every possible detail of the attack, even things that seemed inconsequential to Arianwyn. He had been kind enough to wait for her to be able to sit up unassisted. It was the most she had seen him since her stay at the Keep started.
Master Eachann was called in and questioned as well. He reported receiving a message for him to report to Captain Alberich. Captain Alberich denied sending any such message. Nothing could be pinned anywhere. The only fact they could determine was that the two messages had been penned by the same person. And that only after they laid the notes side by side and Master Aldous combed them over for similarities in syntax and writing style.
Arianwyn continued to stall Bernie. She was not certain how to tell him no nicely. He continued to hound her at every meeting, pressing for her to make a decision. Sigurd and Wymond had returned to daytime guard duty. Sigurd became more close mouthed each time she met with Bernie, a sure sign of the talkative guard’s disapproval. She closed her eyes against the candlelight, wishing she had someone she could confide in.
:You could talk to me,: Parvati commented.
:Except you’ve never liked Bernie.:
:So? Neither have you. Get rid of him. You’ve found a stronger male who will make a better mate and produce stronger children.:
Arianwyn hesitated. :Except Bernie loves me.:
:You don't love him.:
:And Rael doesn't love me,: she thought in a whisper. A wave of sadness rushed through her at the thought.
:I thought you told her,: an image of Blythe flashed to her mind, :that love matters less than safety and a full belly.: Arianwyn rolled her eyes, shoving the hurt back down. Trust Parvati to remember inconvenient memories. She took a deep breath and ignored Parvati.
“It’s all very convenient, isn’t it?” Lady Alyssa sighed, breaking into her thoughts. Arianwyn refocused on her letter, grateful for the interruption. “The messages, the poisoning…I wonder who would want to kill you? What would be gained by your death?”
Arianwyn frowned and looked up from her letter to the girl. “Well, any of the thanes could have done it, couldn’t they?”
“Yes, but they have sworn fealty to the king,” Alyssa said. She looked shocked at the very notion that one of the thanes being behind the plot.
“What about someone from the Makara? Why is Hammurabi here?”
Alyssa glanced up in surprise. “Hammurabi is Makara?” Arianwyn nodded. “I didn’t know that! I’ll have to see what I can find out.”
Arianwyn shook her head. She shouldn't have mentioned Hammurabi to Alyssa. “We’ve been over every angle, Lady Alyssa. And King Rael trusts Hammurabi implicitly, though I’m not sure why.”
“But maybe—“
“Enough. I'm tired of circles. Has Master Jed arrived yet?”
Alyssa stood up and crossed the room, peeking out. “He’s just coming down the hall.”
“Help me undress so we can finish the fitting as soon as possible.” Arianwyn stood, stressing her back as little as possible.
Arianwyn and Alyssa had just finished removing her clothes when Jed knocked on the door. Alyssa let him and his assistants into the room. Arianwyn stepped into the black gown and it was pulled up. The back laced similar to a corset, holding the dress in place on her torso. Silken straps tied at the back of her neck. Her arms and upper back were bare, revealing the silver dragon twisting across. Small fire diamonds studded the skirt, more heavily near the bottom and scattered as they rose up the skirt. The diamonds had been carefully placed to form a dragon flying in a star-studded sky.
An assistant helped Arianwyn into the shoes she would wear. Alyssa tied her hair up into a knot so that the view of the dress would be unimpeded. Jed turned her this way and that, pulling at some areas and pinning occasionally. Overall, he seemed satisfied with the dress. “This should do nicely for the wedding. All we need prepare now is your veil.”
Arianwyn stared at herself in the mirror. “No, no veil.”
Jed blinked. “My lady, you must wear a veil. It is traditional!”
She shook her head. “I have spent my entire life hiding. I will not hide on my wedding day. No longer,” she finished in a fierce whisper. She straightened her shoulders. “You may select a tiara, but I will not hide any longer.” Jed opened his mouth to protest again, but a sharp scowl from Arianwyn caused his jaw to snap shut.
:Good choice,: Parvati remarked.
Jed pursed his lips, clearly dissatisfied. “As you command, my lady.” Arianwyn changed into her other clothes and Jed took her wedding dress away to finish the final alterations.
“Lady Alyssa, will you summon a page?”
“Of course.” Alyssa hurried to the door and poked her head into the hallway. One of the ever-present pages entered, bowed, an
d waited for the message.
“Please inform His Majesty that I would like to visit Parvati. It has been a long time. If he has time, I would appreciate his assistance in arriving at the Dragon Cave.” The page bowed again and scampered away. Arianwyn followed in his wake, determined to argue with Rael in person so he could not deny her the visit. The page met them in the corridor just outside of Rael’s study. He blinked in surprise, but turned and knocked on the door to announce Arianwyn’s presence.
Rael glanced up when she entered. He frowned slightly at seeing her. “How are you feeling?”
“Much improved, Your Majesty, thank you for asking.”
He grunted. “Give me a moment to finish this and we will meet Charon in the courtyard. Take a seat.”
“You're not going to tell me no?” Arianwyn sat and waited, unconsciously flexing her back to the point of pain before relaxing again.
“Why would I deny you a visit with Parvati?” He looked up in surprise and frowned when he saw her flexing her back. “Leave it alone,” Rael growled.
“I need to know what my range of movement is,” she replied.
Rael shook his head. “You won’t need to worry about pain again. Just relax and let it heal.” Arianwyn folded her hands in her lap and pursed her lips, waiting. Rael signed a document, set it to the side and stretched. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Arianwyn stood quickly, waiting for Rael to come around. He paused long enough to offer her his arm and they headed to the courtyard. Most of the snow had melted away, though the days continued confused between raging blizzards and warm sunshine. Charon was waiting for them, the sunlight seeming to absorb and disappear into his scaly hide. “Good morning, Charon,” Arianwyn smiled, curtsying slightly.
Charon snorted in her direction, rolling his eyes. He dropped into a low crouch, lifting his forearm. Rael carefully lifted Arianwyn onto the forearm. Charon slowly raised his forearm so that Arianwyn could easily transition to his back and slide into place between the wings. Rael followed nimbly, settling behind Arianwyn. Charon walked over to the Keep wall, rearing up and climbing up the outside of it. “What are you doing?” Arianwyn asked, confused.
The King's Treasure Page 23
