The King's Treasure

by Carol M. Vaughn

  She stood slowly, following in Ethelinda's wake. She snagged a page on her way into the Keep. “I need you to tell Hammurabi that I have suspicions on who poisoned me, though I doubt we will find proof. Also, I need you and your friends to keep an eye on Lady Ethelinda. If she goes anywhere near the king, I want to know about it. Do you understand?” The boy nodded, swallowing. He darted off with her first message, eyes wide.

  “Who do you think?” Sigurd asked.

  Arianwyn pursed her lips, continuing up to the solarium. “Ethelinda. Or her father,” she amended. She ignored the quick intake of air from behind her. “But it cannot be proven. I would stake my life on it, though.”

  “Considering your life has almost been taken once, I'd prefer you didn't,” Sigurd replied.

  Hammurabi appeared in her doorway less than an hour later. Arianwyn looked up in surprise and dismissed herself from the group of ladies. They found an empty room and slipped inside. “Lady Arianwyn, you may not be able to come up with evidence, but I have other ways of discovering the information I need. Who do you suspect?”

  She gestured towards a chair. Sigurd closed the door behind Hammurabi. “Lady Ethelinda threatened me today,” she said. Hammurabi sat still, staring into the empty space just over her shoulder. Arianwyn frowned and looked to see what he was looking at. “She said I would not be queen long.”

  “Interesting,” he murmured. Arianwyn waited. Hammurabi stood up.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To discuss your theory with the king.”

  Arianwyn jumped to her feet. “I'm coming with you!”

  “Dont' you have other tasks to see to?” he asked.

  Arianwyn took his arm, guiding him out the door. “They can wait. I want to be a part of this discussion,” she replied.

  They made their way to the Council Chamber. Arianwyn studied the hallway curiously, tapestries depicting each thane's castle hanging on the wall. “Wait here,” Hammurabi murmured. He pulled a tapestry back and pushed her into a small room concealed behind. Sigurd and Wymond squished in with her. She muttered and poked them until she was back to the front and could look out. She peeked around the tapestry.

  Hammurabi went back down the hall and fetched five pages. He whispered something to the group. The boys grinned and nodded. One of the boys darted off down the hall. The others spaced themselves apart. The first boy approached the chamber and entered. He left a moment later, leading Thane Merari. The next boy went to the room and left with Thane Julius. Thane Malcom was summoned and finally Thane Cael.

  When the thanes were gone, Hammurabi pulled her out from behind the tapestry and entered the room. Rael looked up with a frown. “This had better be important, Hammurabi.”

  “We have a lead, Sire,” he replied. Rael stood up, his eyes finding Arianwyn. “She insisted on being present.”

  Arianwyn smiled at him. He sighed and held a hand out to her. “These are hardly discussions for a lady,” he told her, helping her sit.

  “Perhaps, Your Majesty. I suppose it must be a lapse back into my peasant background,” she said. She patted his hand as she explained about her conversation with Ethelinda.

  Hammurabi proceeded with the explanation. “Unfortunately, it makes sense for Thane Malcom to be involved.”

  Rael shook his head. “If we're going to suspect thanes, it also makes sense for Julius to be the culprit. He has reason to want her dead and access to the sea.”

  “True, though this particular type of seaweed is not common to the north coasts. Thane Malcom also has reason to wish her dead and easier access to the poisons the Makara can provide.”

  “And the money,” Arianwyn added. Rael leaned back in his seat. “Couldn't you just put the question to them?” Arianwyn asked. Rael stared at her in disbelief. “Didn't you say you know when someone lies to you?”

  “Yes, but this is different. I cannot accuse them of an act amounting to treason without evidence. How will those thanes I don't suspect take it?” He stood up and paced, hands clasped behind his back.

  “I don't understand,” she sighed.

  Rael stopped and turned to face her. “It is a part of the dragon gift we both bear. Using it to get information we want, no matter how important to us, without cause is the same as abusing the gift. The thanes have to know that their independence is respected. They have to know that they can make the choices they feel they need to without interference,” he lectured.

  The door opened. “We just got word that the thanes are returning,” Sigurd said.

  Rael cursed. “We will have to think more on this. Hammurabi, what are the odds that you can dig up evidence?”

  “Unfavorable, Sire. The attack happened long ago.”

  Rael nodded and gestured for them to leave. Hammurabi bowed and left the room. Arianwyn hesitated. She hurried over to Rael. He frowned down at her. “Thank you,” she said. She leaned up on tip toe and kissed his cheek. She rushed out the door, fighting down her blush.

  Sigurd grinned when he saw her face. “Stealing kisses, Lady Arianwyn?”

  “Oh, hush!” she snapped, cheeks still warm. She turned down the hall and headed in the opposite direction from the approaching thanes. Sigurd chuckled and speculated with Wymond on ways to give her and the king more alone time. Arianwyn was glad to reach the other women, firmly closing the door on Sigurd.

  It did not take long for Arianwyn to be grateful to the young pages. Ethelinda seemed to be everywhere Rael was, always in close proximity. For the first time, she fully appreciated how Rael must have felt watching her and Bernie. Arianwyn ground her teeth together the third time she discovered Ethelinda watching Rael as he practiced with his guards. She approached, back straight and forced a smile. “Lady Ethelinda! I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”

  Ethelinda jumped, turning and scowling. Her scowl melted into a smile. “Lady Arianwyn! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

  “I’m aware of that. Lady Vespa wondered where you were and I decided to find you.”

  “That’s hardly the sign of a good hostess, leaving your guests.”

  “The same could be said of you as a guest,” Arianwyn replied coolly.

  Ethelinda blinked, taken aback. “How dare you address me like that, peasant!”

  “Cease stalking my fiancé and we won’t have to worry. Continue, and you’ll discover how peasant women react when harlots abound,” Arianwyn growled. Behind her, she felt Sigurd and Wymond shifting nervously.

  Ethelinda’s eyes narrowed, air hissing between her teeth. “Are you threatening me?”

  “I do not threaten, Lady Ethelinda. I make promises…and I keep them,” Arianwyn replied, taking a step closer to the taller woman.

  Whatever Ethelinda intended to say was cut off as Rael approached. “Ladies, may I inquire what brings you both here?”

  Both women scowled darkly and stepped back from each other before turning brilliant smiles on Rael. “Nothing, Your Majesty. I was just coming to escort Lady Ethelinda to the riding paddock before we go hawking.”

  “Thank you for coming to find me, Lady Arianwyn. I always forget which door to go through,” Ethelinda giggled.

  Rael’s eyes narrowed. Sigurd made a choking sound behind Arianwyn. “Shall we, Lady Ethelinda?”

  “Let’s!” The two walked away, eyes focused in front of them. Sigurd sighed. “I can’t wait until this wedding is over,” he muttered to Wymond.

  Rael

  Rael finished his training. He would not have time to exercise when the other Totems arrived. He turned toward the exit and frowned. Ethelinda and Arianwyn were engaged in an intense discussion. Arianwyn glared up at the other woman, hands clenched into fists. He hurried over before she upset the frail alliance of power set up. “Ladies, may I inquire what brings you both here?”

  Both women scowled darkly and stepped back from each other. Rael tensed, waiting for the storm to hit. He was surprised when they both turned brilliant smiles on him. “Nothing, Your Majesty. I was jus
t coming to escort Lady Ethelinda to the riding paddock before we go hawking.” His eyebrows rose up his forehead.

  “Thank you for coming to find me, Lady Arianwyn. I always forget which door to go through,” Ethelinda giggled.

  Rael’s eyes narrowed. Sigurd made a choking sound behind Arianwyn. Rael risked a glance at him. Sigurd looked like he was about to lose his composure. “Shall we, Lady Ethelinda?” Rael turned his attention back to the women.

  “Let’s!” The two walked away, eyes focused in front of them. He saw Sigurd mutter something to Wymond. Both men shook their heads and continued after the women.

  Rael frowned after the entire group. “I wish I could ask Sigurd what's going on,” he muttered.

  “They're women. What's there to understand?” Rynert asked, rotating his shoulder.

  “Everything!” James answered, laughing. “Do you know anyone who understands a woman?”

  “Enough,” Rael said, tossing his gear to the side. He didn't have time for their joking. He needed to get back to work. They left the Arena for the Keep. “The other Totems should be arriving soon. Where's Tad?”

  “I'll send a boy to have him meet you in your study,” James said.

  “I'm surprised you let him live,” Rynert muttered, interrupting Rael's mental preparation for the coming schedule. Rael glanced back to where Rynert looked. Bernie ducked into the Barracks behind them.

  “I had to,” Rael growled. “It would upset Arianwyn if something happened to him.” Rynert snickered. Rael swung out a leg to trip the man. It didn't stop the snickering.

  33-Totems

  The week before the wedding, things became even busier as the Totem rulers arrived. Arianwyn was grateful for the distractions. As future queen, she assigned each of the daughters of the thanes a queen to attend. It kept them busy. And it made it difficult for Ethelinda to corner Rael.

  The Makara Totem was the first to appear. Their approach to the city was announced by an advance rider days before they actually arrived. When the main party was sighted, Arianwyn went to the wall to watch, joined by Rael. Although his face remained impassive, his eyes twinkled and his fingers drummed a quick staccato on the wall.

  “Did you leave the Makara Empire on good terms?” she asked him.

  He nodded. “Emperor Delano and I remain close friends to this day,” he replied. “It has been too long since we have seen each other.”

  Arianwyn smiled up at him and turned to watch the continuing approach. Her jaw dropped as she saw the procession entering the city. Fifty maidens dressed in gowns of gold covered by what appeared to be golden armor. They were escorted by fifty men in golden chainmail. Servants carried the trains of the maidens. The trains were laden with precious gems and works of art. Rael gestured toward the group. “That will be the gift from him. He always was a generous man.”

  Behind the group of maidens and warriors was what looked like a hive of black cockroaches, encircling two giant creatures that swayed back and forth as they approached the castle. Green scales, similar to dragon hide, covered the two creatures, which walked on four legs. They had four webbed fingers, tipped with a claw. Their heads were flat with elongated snouts, razor sharp teeth lining the mouth. A long, powerful tail waved behind them. Arianwyn shivered. “I didn’t realize the Makara were such fearsome creatures,” she whispered. Strapped to the back of each Makara was what appeared to be a pavilion, silken drapes of green and gold hiding the people within.

  “We should greet them at the front,” Rael remarked, taking her elbow and guiding her back to the Keep. It was only a few moments before the crowd arrived, the group spilling into the courtyard and filling it. Now that they were closer, Arianwyn could see that the giant cockroaches were actually men in ebony armor, helmets encasing their heads. Each was riding what appeared to be a smaller, black version of the Totem Makara.

  The drapes of the pavilion parted and two people descended gracefully. Emperor Delano reminded Arianwyn strongly of Hammurabi: bald, wiry, and subtle. Queen Isidora was a tiny, frail looking woman. She was also bald, her eyes wide and large. She moved as gracefully as her husband.

  Rael greeted them formally, before walking down quickly to clasp the forearm of the Emperor. “It is good to see you healthy and whole again.”

  “May you always remain so,” Emperor Delano replied, smiling at Rael.

  Arianwyn gave a brief hug to the queen, smiling shyly at her. “Thank you for your gift. I have never had pineapple before. It was delicious!”

  “You are most welcome. And congratulations on your upcoming marriage. May you find health and happiness in wedlock.”

  “And may you continue to be prosperous and plentiful in yours,” Arianwyn responded. Lysander had warned her over and over that the niceties must be observed with the Makara. He had drilled the informal response into Arianwyn’s head, telling her it would be likely with the friendship of Rael and Delano. Arianwyn and Rael escorted the monarchs to their quarters to refresh and prepare for dinner. As they were turning to enter the Keep, a shout went up from the walls.

  Everyone turned to look at the guard, who was pointing skyward. Arianwyn frowned at the familiar looking guard before her gaze was drawn upward. Two blazing birds were flying toward the castle, surrounded by what looked like white horses with wings. Arianwyn gasped. “They brought the Pegasus Guard,” Delano said, seeming surprised. Rael was also frowning.

  “Do you think they expect trouble?” Queen Isidora asked, her voice soft.

  Delano snorted, looking mildly irritated. “I think they are showing off. They know we would not insult King Rael by causing trouble.” He glanced at Rael. “They, however, would not be above such trickery.”

  Rael nodded, watching the group backwinging into the courtyard. The Makara Guard had scattered to provide room for the group. A man in red leather leapt lightly from his Phoenix, removing a plumed helmet from his head.

  The man’s eyes found Arianwyn almost immediately. He smiled broadly at her, winking so fast that Arianwyn wondered if she had actually seen it. The way his eyes studied her made her stop wondering. Her eyes widened and she blushed, inching closer to Rael.

  He was good-looking, blond haired and blue eyed without a flaw to his bronzed skin. He was nearly as tall as Rael with broad shoulders. His frank assessment of her had her inching even closer to Rael, in spite of his good looks, until she was pressed against his side. He swept his hand through his hair, surveying the area. Arianwyn frowned, reassessing her opinion of him. “He knows he’s an attractive man, doesn’t he?” she muttered irritably.

  Queen Isidora hid her mouth behind her hand, although her eyes crinkled into a smile. Rael frowned at Arianwyn. “You think him attractive?” he asked.

  Arianwyn blushed. “Well, not if he knows it.” The woman alit from her phoenix. She was also dressed in red leather. She was tall and powerfully built, her hair white blond. Her eyes were green. “Are they brother and sister?” Arianwyn asked.

  “No,” Emperor Delano replied. “I believe the admiral and his wife are first cousins. The Phoenix Totem believes in keeping their line as near to pure as possible.” The sneer in his voice left no question in Arianwyn’s mind what he thought of the practice.

  “King Rael! Lady Arianwyn! What a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Admiral Kai said, a false heartiness in his voice. He held Arianwyn’s hand and kissed it, gazing up into her eyes and smiling slightly. He lightly rubbed her palm with his thumb. Arianwyn blushed again and tried to remove her hand as quickly as was polite. Kai resisted her pull a moment, smile widening, before releasing her hand.

  “We would have arrived sooner, but the Winds and Tides were uncooperative,” Queen Asherah remarked. Her eyes swept over Delano and Isidora. Her smile was more of a grimace.

  “You are perfectly on time,” Rael responded, “as the Tides and Winds intended you to be.” Queen Asherah inclined her head. “We were about to conduct Emperor Delano and Queen Isidora to their rooms. Might we also show you to your
rooms so that you may refresh yourselves?”

  “That would be most delightful,” Admiral Kai responded. He held his arm out to Arianwyn, eyes twinkling. Rael firmly grasped Arianwyn by the waist and led her inside, ignoring the extended hand of Kai. The monarchs jostled slightly behind them, each vying to be next after Rael and Arianwyn.

  “Why don’t you escort Emporer Delano and Empress Isadora to their rooms? I will take Admiral Kai and Queen Asherah,” Rael said. His eyes had hardened and his grip on her waist was tight. Arianwyn could see his fury building. She assented, grateful for the chance to escape Kai.

  Dinner that night was a formal affair. They dined in the Great Dining Hall, accompanied by as much finery as the night Rael had chosen his queen. The servants were in full dress uniform, Rael and Arianwyn were dressed in their formality, and the guards lining the hall had been inspected from head to toe before being allowed to stand watch.

  “I see you chose a freshwater fish as the main course. That will do, although we could have brought salt water fish that would make your mouth water for days!’ Admiral Kai commented, surveying the dinner.

  “Or at least made your mouth water,” Queen Asherah remarked, her lip curling in a grimace again.

  “I actually prefer fresh water,” Emperor Delano remarked, taking a hearty bite of the food. His eyes challenged the Admiral to respond.

  Whatever Admiral Kai was going to say was lost to the night. Great howls set up outside. Queen Isidora smiled slightly. “It sounds like King Boris and Queen Ylva have arrived.”

  “If you’ll excuse us,” Rael said rising, “We must greet them. Lady Arianwyn?” Arianwyn accepted his hand, following him back to the front steps.

  “Is it going to be this way the entire time?” she asked.

  “Unfortunately. I was hoping the Phoenix would arrive after the Inugami. It would at least ease tensions between them and the Makara.”

  “Why do they hate each other?”

  “Mostly because of land and water rights. Although there are a few personal issues between Emperor Delano and Admiral Kai. Kai attempted to sneak into Isidora’s chambers the night before her wedding.”