“I’ve heard all I care to hear. I don’t trust you anymore, Roland. I want nothing to do with either of you. If you want Ringerike, get it yourself. I won’t be chained.”
“Out of the river and right into the eagle’s claws,” Xander said, laughing. “Had you not bedded her, Roland, I would have done so. Such spirit! But I thought your order did not allow its members to fornicate.”
“That’s the Order of the Blue Star, my lord,” Roland said. “They are warrior monks and follow Duke Fakar’s every whim. As I told you, my squire, Tamal, was to have joined the Blue Stars, but his father sent him to me instead. Duke Fakar is the cousin of Grand Master Banik Dzobian. Many Erindorians are sent to Fregia to train to be knights.”
The urge to tell Xander the big oaf lied was tempting, but she couldn’t put the gypsies in harm’s way. It was a clever cover story. Tamal, a bastard of the Erindorian duke, accompanied by four servants and sent to serve Roland as a squire, had to be the best lie the big lout had yet to invent. She wasn’t about to tell Xander otherwise, so she sat on the pillows, downed a glass of wine, and listened to the two idiots talking.
“It’s not that, Roland,” Xander said. “Your servant, Rook, is the one who resembles Duke Fakar, not your squire, but I suppose it doesn’t matter. Fakar has so many bastards. Most women favor men with dark complexions; not us pale types, Sir Roland. The sha’tar must find something about you attractive in bed, but it certainly isn’t good looks.”
“It’s not his looks, I assure you,” Taliesin muttered.
Xander ignored her. “Sir Roland, you were selected for this mission by your Grand Master, who recommended you to my father. I admit I had doubts about you getting this far, but you’ve done well. Let’s have a look at the Deceiver’s Map. I trust the sha’tar has it with her at all times.”
“Taliesin, show it to him,” Roland said.
“I will not.”
Taliesin reached for Roland’s glass and drank the wine in one gulp. A tall figure appeared beside her as Sirocco provided her with her own filled glass. She drained it as well and pushed both goblets away. They were refilled, and Khamsin appeared and set a plate of food before her. Simoom continued singing while Harmattan strummed his lute.
“You mean Roland arranged for me to find the map? I don’t believe you.” Taliesin stared at the plate of sliced meat, and wished it were the knight’s heart. “All any of you had to do was ask me to help, and I would have. Instead, you went to elaborate lengths to mislead everyone, and in so doing, caused the destruction of my clan.”
“Osprey’s death was unfortunate, but it did motivate you to leave Raven’s Nest and search for the Raven Sword. Of course, you will be rewarded...”
Without hesitation, Taliesin pulled the gypsy knife from her boot and charged around the table toward Xander. Tamal and the Nova brothers watched, but none attempted to stop her. Only a few feet from Xander, a pair of large arms caught her around the middle and pulled her away. The knife fell from her grasp. Roland held her as she struggled to get free; she screamed, bit, stomped on his feet, kicked at his knees, and did whatever else she could to get away from him, and yet, he held on.
“He’s a murderer! My clan will be avenged!”
Roland spun her around, squeezed tight, and waited until she gasped for air before he deposited her onto the pillows, where she glared at him. Xander had the gall to laugh at the scene and snicker while pointing at the couple.
“There’s more at stake here than avenging your clan, Taliesin,” Roland said, his tone sympathetic. “Xander had nothing to do with their deaths. He’s on our side.”
“He is not on my side! No Eagle is on the side of a Raven!”
“Xander is a King’s Man, like me. Of course, he’s on our side. All of us support King Frederick, and that’s what’s important. Fortunately, Xander reached us before the Wolf Pack or Prince Sertorius, and now we’ll have an escort to the Cave of the Snake God. What’s important here is finding Ringerike. It can ensure King Frederick retains his throne. The king is depending on us, Taliesin. What greater honor is there?”
“Yes, what greater glory?” Xander echoed.
Something in the Eagle heir’s tone—womanly, yet laced with malice—and in his eyes—pale, like those of a corpse—was a warning sign; Taliesin, in that instant, feared for her own life and the lives of her friends. Taliesin remembered Zarnoc’s warning about the Eagle heir being dangerous, and she knew she had to rein in her anger and act compliant before he put her in irons. It was obvious he didn’t think highly of women, so she resorted to tears in the hope it would make her appear weak and helpless. As expected, Roland looked horrified and inched away from her. The fool actually thought she was being sincere, and if Roland believed her nonsense, then surely Master Xander would also fall for a few tears.
“I don’t know why I’m acting this way,” Taliesin said, through her tears. “So much has happened since Raven’s Nest fell. Everyone is depending on me, and I simply can’t handle all this unwanted attention. The pressure is getting to me. Of course, neither of you are at fault for what has happened. You just don’t understand. I’m a woman, and everyone thinks I can do this on my own, but I can’t, I just can’t, it’s just too much to ask of me.”
“This is why I never allow women to join me on a quest,” Roland said. He grabbed his glass of wine, took a large gulp, and set it down. “You sound like a mad woman, Taliesin. I know you are upset, and I don’t blame you; however, Master Xander is just as devoted to his own father as you are. Try to understand things from my point of view.”
“From a man’s point of view?” Taliesin sniffed. “How can you possibly expect me to see things from your point of view, when you continually lie to me?”
“What a fine performance, my dear. If only Glabbrio the Glib was alive, he could pen your eloquent words. ‘I am a woman, and everyone thinks I can do this on my own, but I can’t, I just can’t.’” Xander lowered his hands and smiled thinly. “I almost believed your crocodile tears, but there is anger in your eyes, Raven Mistress. I believe you would have gutted me like a fish if Sir Roland hadn’t stopped you, but I do appreciate the waterworks. Bravo, my dear. Bravo. Please, allow me to show off my own artistic talent; I do so love good theater.”
Roland groaned and buried his face in his hands. Taliesin watched as a wicked gleam appeared in Xander’s moon-pale eyes. He stood, one hand over his heart, and snapping his fingers at Harmattan, the Eagle heir started to sing. Harmattan caught on within seconds and played along to Xander’s shockingly high-pitched voice.
“We hunted the wren for Baldor.
In the glade, we hunted his wife.
We hunted the wren for Baldor,
In the glade, he took her life.
The wolf pups heard, the ravens wept,
And the eagle raised his head.
Within that fated hour, husband
And lover would soon be dead.
We hunted the woods for Baldor.
With orders to take his life.
We hunted the hills for Sir Calador.
Killing both men with a knife.”
Xander finished and picked up his wine glass, his eyes never leaving Taliesin’s face as he resumed his seat on the soft pillows. Taliesin was stunned. Of all the songs Xander might have sung, it had to be that one. The same song she’d been singing outside of Tunberg. Coincidence, she thought, possibly, but she had a feeling the Eagle heir had been spying on her, and the image of a flock of wrens flying overhead that day she’d sung entered her mind. It wasn’t as if the Eagle Clan didn’t have magic users of their own; she’d suspected they did, for they certainly had magical weapons. Somehow, Master Xander had overheard her talking to Jaelle on the road, and she doubted any of the farmers or peddlers they’d seen were guilty.
“The ‘Tale of the Wren Wife’ is one of my favorites,” Taliesin said. “Shall we dispense with the charade, my lord? I think you and I understand one another. Why didn’t you simply come to Raven�
��s Nest and ask me to help find Ringerike?”
“If I had, everyone would now know you are a sha’tar, so instead, my father and his allies decided to send Sir Roland to infiltrate the Raven Clan, which he did with marvelous ease. Glabbrio was sent to confirm you had the Deceiver’s Map, yet remained unaware of our plans. We didn’t want him knowing the extent of our involvement in finding Ringerike, had Lykus captured him. I am sorry about your clan, Taliesin. Had your clan gone into hiding and not gone with Glabbrio, I am quite certain they wouldn’t have been found by the Wolf Pack and killed. As it is now, none but the Eagle Clan and the Order of the White Stag are certain you are a sha’tar, and so we still have the advantage.”
“Will your father avenge the Raven Clan?” Taliesin asked.
“Doubtful.” Xander glanced at Sirocco as the gypsy refilled his wine glass and stepped away. “Try to understand what’s at stake here—Prince Almaric has raised an army in the east and will stop at nothing until his father is dead. Almaric sold Galinn to the northern barbarians and holds Konall prisoner in a fortress, which leaves only Dinadan to help their father. As for Sertorius, he seeks only to improve his own position, nothing more. Now that Almaric has Doomsayer, it has become a race for each side to collect as many magical weapons as possible.”
“We’ve passed several magical weapons on the way here,” Taliesin said. “I offered to find them for Roland, but he is only interested in Ringerike.”
“Because Ringerike is the prize,” Xander stated, clasping his hands before him. “It is the most powerful of all magical weapons, but without a sha’tar, its powers cannot be activated. You are equally as important, my dear. Consider yourself fortunate the Eagle Clan and the Order of the White Stag have taken you under their protection, for if you fell into the hands of Chief Lykus, he would either turn you or eat you. Roland is the only reason you are still alive. Now that I am here and reinforcements are on the way, we have a better chance of finding Ringerike before Captain Wolfgar or Prince Sertorius.”
“I do appreciate what Roland has done for me,” Taliesin said, her tone soft. She felt Roland’s hand seek hers under the table. She swatted his hand away. “If you knew what I was and wanted my help, all you had to do was ask Master Osprey, and he would have cooperated.”
“What fun is that?” Xander asked. “Sir Roland could have warned Duke Hrothgar about the trap set by Prince Sertorius, but instead, he remained with you. Had the Fregian duke come to Padama instead of attacking Prince Sertorius, he would still be alive. Deception is the only way to cull the herd. Hrothgar believed the rumor that Sertorius possessed the Deceiver’s Map, and Sertorius was told Hrothgar had the map. The deception was necessary to discover which side the prince would choose, and as it turns out, he seeks only to improve his own lot.”
“Your sense of fun has caused many people to die.” Taliesin thought the Eagle heir either insane or cruel-natured. He laughed at her comment, convincing her he had to be both in order to feel nothing for the harm he’d caused.
“Jasper was Hrothgar’s heir, but he is dead,” Roland noted. “The House of Volund was wiped out, my lord, just to verify which side Sertorius is on, and as it turns out, it’s neither. Who then has assumed control of Fregia?”
“Grand Master Banik controls Fregia, and for his good service will be made a duke. When you return home, Sir Roland, it is agreed you will become the next grand master of the Order of the White Stag, a promotion well deserved.”
“Me?” Roland sounded shocked. “I don’t know what to say, my lord.”
Taliesin dropped her jaw. His reward for betraying her and her clan was a handsome one. Any knight offered the post of grand master would have done the same, and she didn’t believe it was the first time he’d heard about it; nor did he act surprised the Duke of Erindor and the Grand Master, along with the Eagle Clan, were in a marvelous position to assume command of the realm. “What about the other dukes?” Taliesin wondered aloud. “Have they all agreed to support the king and Erindor? Do they know the extent of your father’s plans to become one of the most important men in the entire realm?”
“Taliesin,” muttered Roland. “There is no cause to make accusations. Lord Arundel is trying to protect King Frederick. Master Xander is only doing the same.”
Xander shrugged. “It’s all right, Roland. The girl has questions, and I’m very happy to answer them. Scrydon, Fregia, and Erindor support the King; however, Thule and Bavol have sided with Prince Almaric. The duke of Aldagar is undecided. The Fortinbraus family will come around to our way of thinking, once they know we have obtained Ringerike and cannot be defeated. Maldavia remains our main concern. Duke Peergynt favors Almaric and believes Sertorius is his friend, but that remains to be seen. That leaves the Duke of Garridan as the one nobleman who may yet tip the scales; Duke de Boron is far removed from Maldavia, but he has the largest army and navy. Prince Sertorius is headed to his capital, and that is why I will go to Garridan as well. Duke de Boron must be convinced to help the king. I will ask Sertorius to be arrested and held captive, of course, while you and Sir Roland return to Padama with Ringerike and do whatever the king asks of you.”
“You think Duke de Boron will agree to give you an army?” Roland asked, after taking a drink of wine. Sirocco came over with a bottle, looked inside Taliesin’s glass, and filled it with wine. Sirocco also picked up Jaelle’s dagger with the skill of a thief and walk away with it, returning to stand beside his brothers.
“Sertorius isn’t a politician,” Xander replied, in a silky voice. “He’s a soldier. If I reach Dunatar Castle ahead of him, I am certain I can convince Duke de Boron to take Sertorius into custody. After all, we have the Sha’tar, and once we have Ringerike, Sertorius, Almaric, and the rebel dukes will be powerless to stop us. Of course, de Boron will side with us; he doesn’t want to be on the losing side.” His limpid eyes turned upon Taliesin. “Doesn’t it make you feel good to know how important you are, my dear?”
“Yes, very. I want only to help the King,” Taliesin said, holding back her true feelings. She couldn’t help feeling sympathy for Prince Sertorius and his desperate race to beat Master Xander to the capital of Garridan. Even though he cared only about himself, the boy who had given her a tiny purple flower stuck in her mind. Like her, Sertorius was caught in a spider’s web, but the difference was he didn’t realize the spider was coming to eat him. It didn’t seem likely he would want to help her, but he didn’t want to help the Eagle Clan, and the Wolf Clan had turned against him. Nor did he support his father. But would he support her, and they could escape the web together. That was something she needed to think upon. She caught Roland staring at her, felt him trying to pry into her private thoughts by searching her eyes for answers, and quickly looked away.
“We will have to push hard tomorrow,” Xander said. “Between here and Dunatar Castle, we must kill every Djaran, Ghajaran, Wolfman, and traitorous Maldavian we meet. It’s not an easy thing we do for a living, but it must be done.” He took a sip from his glass and gazed at Taliesin over the rim. He finished his wine in three gulps. “Oh, don’t look at me like I’m a devil. Duke de Boron has been in dispute with the Djaran for years. We need his support, and we will do whatever it takes to get it.”
“I’ll see guards are posted outside the Raven tent,” Roland said, standing up. He held his hand out to Taliesin, but she refused to take it and crossed her arms.
“You go so soon?” Xander half rose and motioned for them to return to the table. He watched her every move, a red tongue, like a snake’s, flicking across his thin lips several times before he spoke. “You are very remiss in your duties, Sir Roland. You have not informed the Sha’tar that once we have the Raven sword, both of you will join me at Dunatar Castle. From there, we will book passage on a ship, sail around the eastern coastline to Erindor, where the royal army is gathering, and then we’ll march east to fight Prince Almaric.”
“Well, you’ve told me now,” Taliesin said. “If that is all, I must rest.
It’s been a long day, and I’m tired, Master Xander. Sir Roland need not escort me; I know the way.” Xander’s eyes narrowed and never left her face as he fiddled with the collar of his tunic. He apparently wanted something more from her. It dawned on her Xander’s intentions revolved around his bed, and her spending the night. The man stared so intently at her with his creepy, corpse eyes that she stood up, eager to leave. “Goodnight, gentlemen. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Right,” Xander said, rising to his feet. “Like a wild hawk, you must be kept on a short tether. In the morning, you shall find the sword of King Korax of the Raven Clan. Once you have found Ringerike, you will carry the sword, and you will present it to King Frederick Draconus. I’ve heard stories about the side effects brought on by enchanted weapons in the wrong hands. Some men lose their minds, others the ability to breed, while others grow old before their time or lose overnight what they’d acquired in a lifetime. Whatever side effects come with Ringerike is the price the King will have to pay to save his realm from anarchy. Not I. But fear not, you will be guarded at all times.”
Master Xander glided around the table with movements that reminded her of a desert snake, and reached out to take her by the hand. In that moment, she desperately wished Sirocco would plunge the gypsy knife into Xander’s back, while Tamal ran his spear through his black heart. The Eagle heir was much shorter than she was, almost the size of a child, which she hadn’t noticed until now. The way he scrutinized her as he lifted her hand to lips and placed a cold kiss upon her knuckles made her dinner churn in her stomach.
“It’s been a pleasure,” Xander said, but he didn’t release her hand. “Sir Roland, his squire and servants, and the wizard will go with you to the Cave of the Snake God. To make certain you do as you’re told, your companions will remain my guests and travel with me to Garridan. I need insurance you won’t try to trick me. I’ve been dealing with the Raven Clan far longer than you realize, my dear, and I know how your minds work.”
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