Frank-SPrinces

by The Shadowed Princes [lit]

  The second carriage sent a wave of melancholy through Kynyr. It had belonged to Aisha. He had never been inside the carriage before, but he had ridden alongside it as part of Aisha's guard many times over the past five years. He remembered when Claw bought it for her as an anniversary gift; remembered the delight in her eyes.

  And now it's carrying me to her funeral.

  Russa pushed him down a ramp, and to the carriage. There Kynyr was lifted and settled inside. The wheel-chair was fastened to the back. Kady slipped inside and sat beside him. Qaseem and Cooley entered the carriage last.

  The honor guard mounted up, six riding about it in pairs: Todd and StealsThunder; Tobrytan MacFie and Darcy MacIver; Trevor and Iswara.

  * * * *

  Gorgarty Burr took a box from the chest at the end of his bed, chuckling to himself. As soon as he heard that Damien Kildare had died, he searched the late chastisemon's room and found what he sought: a thousand crowns worth of White Fire. He felt pleased that he had been so clever. The drug was illicit rather than strictly illegal. The apothecary association refused to sell it to anyone except a licensed apothecary and a mon could lose that license if they were caught selling it bulk for distribution on the street. It formed the raw base for the drug called Amphereon.

  He laid out lines on the lid, took out a silver tube, and snorted three lines of it. It filled him with energy and a sense of being above the world. It took his cares away. Damien had found it in the chest of a dead mon named Preece who managed to upset the wrong wolf and was found murdered on Cheshire Road.

  Gorgarty was one of those who had been left behind to guard the manor while Belgair attacked the Maguire Estate with the intention of hanging the bastard prince.

  Eamon came in. Gorgarty, get out in the yard."

  "I'm coming. Hey, you want some? He pointed at the box.

  Eamon came closer and his eyes widened. I wondered who nabbed that."

  "Go on, lay some out. You won't feel as cold standing out there in the garden."

  Eamon accepted the tube and did two lines of it. You're right. But be careful with this stuff. It's pure quill."

  The two guardsmyn walked downstairs to the door that led into the yard and took up their assigned places. It seemed like there was far more going on, far more being guarded, and more hours of duty than Gorgarty would have liked.

  The carriage drew up in the yard and Gorgarty snickered. There's the bastard. Maybe the thanes will hang him."

  Eamon shot him an askance look. Shut up, Gorgarty."

  Gorgarty noticed the two females in Kynyr's guards. He ignored the little Fae, and centered upon the bitch with the fox-red hair. Who's the red-head?"

  "Darcy MacIver. Finn's wife."

  "Bet she's not getting any with him all busted up."

  "Stay away from her. She's bad news."

  Gorgarty locked eyes with Darcy. She gave him a glare, and then it melted into a come-hither smile and a suggestive wink. Did you see that? By damn, she wants me."

  * * * *

  Although Stone had tried to make it a small gathering for the funeral of Aisha and Fianait, the seventeen thanes and seventeen elders invited themselves as well as those wives and mistresses they had brought with them. He knew that the reason was simple: they wanted a glimpse of Kynyr. He could have kept them away, but politics were in full swing and he did not wish to make more enemies by handing out personal affronts wholesale or acting in ways that could easily be misconstrued. What affected him would ultimately affect Kynyr. He also knew that the gossip about himself and Fianait had started again. Too many myn remained convinced that she had killed herself because she knew he was returning to Wolffgard.

  I loved you, Fianait. It wasn't your fault anymore than it was mine. How could you have known that your little love potion would drive me mad? I didn't know what I was then. If I had, I would have tried to dampen the attraction field and you would never have become obsessed with me. So many mistakes. So many regrets.

  The flagstone paths had been shoveled clear of snow and then swept to get every last bit off. Snow now lay in piles beneath the low hedges and the trees. While it made the procession easier, it also made it more difficult for the thanes to crowd the paths, which amused Stone.

  Only three of the thanes had brought their wives. That had surprised Stone, until he learned which ones they were: Weylen, Wallace, and Blayne were all new made thanes, married to the sisters of the mon who would be king.

  Stone met the coach, lifted Kynyr out of it himself, and settled him in the wheel-chair. Put on some righteous airs, Kynyr. We need to make a show of it."

  "I intend to. But the real show is Kady."

  Stone glanced back at the carriage as Tobrytan helped her from it. She wore a long black satin dress with three quarter sleeves, revealing the wrist length ones of the fine wool underdress. A tiara of rare black diamonds set amidst small rubies adorned her head. A three hundred carat black diamond in a white gold setting surrounded by rubies and blue diamonds hung from a chain around her neck. He had to tear his eyes away from the gems. Kady dripped with them; earrings, bracelets and rings on her fingers.

  As soon as he got Kynyr settled into the wheel-chair, Stone turned to Kady. You look beautiful today, Lady Maguire. Can I ask how you came by all that?"

  "Interrogating me again, Stone?"

  "Somewhat. Stone tossed her a guilty grin, thinking how badly Red Wolf needed a queen like Kady.

  Kady searched his face before answering. The tiara was a gift from Meileilyki. The pendant was given to me by Dyna."

  "The Faery Queen and the Trickster have adorned you. That pendant, you do know what it is?"

  "No. Kady frowned, suspicion and unease gathering in her face.

  "It's called Persephone's Black Arcane. It sat for six centuries in the hoard of the Obsidian Dragon."

  "A dragon?"

  "The dragon encountered the Trickster, developed a severe case of hives as a result, and scratched himself to death."

  "No. Kady giggled.

  "Absolute truth. Stone's arrogant lips twitched with impishness. Your husband is ready. Go join him."

  Qaseem rolled the wheel-chair down the pathways toward the little family cemetery with Stone leading. Todd and Tobrytan walked in front of Kynyr, Trevor, and Iswara to either side, while Darcy and StealsThunder walked in the rear. Most of the guards posted were Creeyan with a handful from the Redhand guardsmyn.

  Darcy spotted a familiar figure and felt a rush of barely controllable anger. She mastered it, changing a glare into an inviting smile and a suggestive wink.

  "What is it? Thunder asked, following her gaze to a big, ugly guardsmon.

  "Gorgarty Burr, hissed Darcy. If there is one thing that I have learned from Todd, it's choose your battleground. Lure them out and then cut their throats. He raped Kady and Betrys. He gutted my friend Erskine. I'm going to kill him."

  "Don't try it alone, cautioned Thunder.

  "I don't intend to. What would you say to going with me for a drink at the Striped Dog? That's the arse's favorite tavern."

  "Consider it done. Who else can we get to go along?"

  "Have to think about it. Females only. Best to be tempting and underestimated."

  * * * *

  Regina studied the crippled prince, shivering at the similarity between Kynyr and the portrait of Tarrant Redhand in Sorcha's Solar. He was one of the handsomest dogs she had ever seen from his chiseled cheekbones to his strong jaw and cleft chin.

  She scanned the thanes. Most of them were watching Kynyr like great white owls preparing to pounce upon an unwitting mouse. The princess was pretty in an unconventional way. She outshone the measured sensuality of Jocelyn and put to shame the tawdry elegance of Lillian.

  Seven of the thanes had brought their young mistresses and three had brought their wives. The wives stood with their husbands as members of the Redhand family. The aristocratic beauty of those three bettered that of every bitch there. Then the similarity to Kynyr's chiseled
features registered. They had to be his older sisters.

  "You're holding up well, Reggie. Reist kissed her head.

  "My anger is a suit of armor, shielding me from my grief ... and you'd best remember it. She bristled at him.

  "If you don't let it out, it will blow up in your face like a shaken bottle of Iradrim Fire."

  "There'll be time enough for that when the war is over."

  "Hello, Regina. Jocelyn sashayed over, followed by Lillian and Berneen. Enjoying your new husband? I see you wasted no time mourning for Johfrit before remarrying. Your loins are as hungry as my own. Slut blood run in your family?"

  "You'll get your comeuppance, Jocelyn. Uncle Vertram will tire of you eventually, and then where will you be?"

  Regina walked off with Reist before the affronted Jocelyn could say another word.

  "I'm surprised you didn't call her a whore. That seems to be your favorite word lately."

  "I already have."

  Reist shook his head ruefully and chuckled. That's my Reggie."

  * * * *

  Todd had come to the funeral armed to the teeth, determined that if any or all of the thanes got a hair up their arse toward Kynyr he would be ready to block any and all attempts upon his grandson's life. He carried a pair of axes in his belt, fighting knives strapped to his legs, and his pair of claymores at his shoulders in the Sharani Aluintri Borderer style. The big lycan towered over everyone except Stone.

  Creeyan guardsmyn had cleared all the gathered myn from the flagstone path leading through the garden and into the small private cemetery so that Kynyr's party could enter first. Snow clung to the low winter-browned hedges like frigid blooms. Leafless trees stretched their skeletal fingers to the sky, while the evergreens and pines mitigated the starkness with their comfortable green presence.

  Todd had always avoided the garden, knowing that the cemetery lay beyond it, reluctant to look upon the grave of Tarrant Redhand, his closest friend and first student. Tarrant had been Kynyr's grandfather, and Todd had made him a promise that if something happened to Tarrant, Todd would look after Cahira. He raised Tarrant's son Branduff as if the cub were his own. In all the ways that counted, in all the ways of the heart, Branduff's son Kynyr was Todd's grandson.

  As they progressed down the path, Todd gained insight into the allegiances that were forming. All of the village and town elders from across Red Wolf greeted Kynyr with polite bows. Some of the thanes bowed also. The undecided amongst them gave restrained nods. Those who had already chosen to oppose seeing Kynyr on the throne stood stiffly without acknowledging him. Lines were being drawn in the soil of Red Wolf.

  A crippled mon with a dragon-headed cane hobbled into the middle of the path, his eyes cold as steel. The Lycan Rebellion of 997 had left almost as many cripples in its wake as dead. Todd had not seen the mon since they were both very young, and age had brought a lot of changes in both of them; so Todd guessed who he was, based on descriptions he had heard over the years: Clennan Doherty, crippled not by war, but by Stone in an altercation over Fianait Redhand who they were burying today alongside Aisha.

  Vertram Devlin stood behind Clennan on the path, offering his silent support.

  Clennan blocked Kynyr's progress, staring at Todd. You're Todd Sinclair?"

  Todd's eyes narrowed. What of it?"

  "I'm Thane Clennan Doherty. You killed my son."

  "Your son led an attack upon my grandson's estate."

  Clennan gestured and two myn stepped from the crowd. They were young, moving with the leashed violence of the true predator. Todd noted the bones braided into their long pale hair. They either were or had been members of a Battle-Clan. Professionals. Or they might be swaggering gallants wearing them for effect; somehow Todd doubted that last possibility.

  "Faerwald Davies. Clennan indicated the slender mon with the straw-colored hair first and then the brawny towhead. Lairgan Yates. They've been looking forward to meeting you. I'm certain that a time can be arranged."

  Todd had never met them before, but he recognized the names. Clennan had hired two of the best young duelists around. Suddenly he felt old. In his youth, they would have been no competition. At one hundred and nine years old, Todd felt a trace of uncertainty; yet it was not in him to back down. If they got him, then they would get Kynyr. I'm sure it can."

  Kady clutched Kynyr's hand, feeling him shake with anger at Clennan threatening Todd, and both of them uncertain what to do about it.

  Darcy impulsively seized the initiative and rushed around Kady. She got in Clennan's face, jerked her axe out, and started punctuating her sentences with it. You look here, you withered old geezer. You go threatening my mentor, and I'll chop that little gray twig of yours off and shove it down your throat."

  Regina, standing nearby, leaned close to Jenny and whispered. I like her. Who is she?"

  "Darcy MacIver."

  Stone stalked across the garden with Reist at his heels. Show some respect for the dead, he roared.

  That ended it and Kynyr's party was allowed to travel the last few yards into the cemetery.

  * * * *

  The thanes were kept at a distance from the family members until the funeral ended. It was a modest ritual observance, since the final touchplanting something over the gravescould not be done until spring. Pandeena spoke the words of farewell to the dead, and then indicated that it was time to cast the dirt over Fianait and Aisha. Kynyr held his grief in check, although his eyes tended to leak. He had loved his aunt and his great-grandmother dearly. It was one more failure added to the total that nearly overwhelmed him at times. He had been unable to save himself or the Redhand side of his family. A desire to protect them was what had brought him to Wolffgard six years ago, hiring on as a guardsmon under Belgair Doherty without telling anyone of his ancestry.

  The mistresses accompanied their lovers, casting the dirt as custom decreed. It went smoothly until the funeral ended. As they scattered through the winter garden, attitudes that had been subdued for a brief time returned. Clusters of folk formed, like being drawn to like in the politics of the moment.

  Jocelyn's eyes kept straying to the pendant that Kady wore. How does some slut of a taverner's daughter merit gems like that?"

  Lillian snickered. Must have spent most of her life on her back, I'd say."

  "Those gems can't be real. They must be fakes."

  Regina sauntered over with a roguish manner. They're real. That's Persephone's Dark Arcane. Not even Vertram has enough money to buy its like.

  "She's already spending the crown's money on gewgaws, Jocelyn snarled, her eyes burning with jealousy.

  "Hardly. Regina favored Jocelyn with a venomous look. She's independently wealthy."

  "A taverner's daughter? Wealthy? Lillian sneered. She must be good on her back. The dogs have a peerage. Maybe we should start a sluttage and make her head slut?"

  Berneen giggled in spite of herself.

  Emma, standing behind her, looked close to tears.

  Jocelyn put on a haughty air. I've heard that she's had half the dogs in town between her legs. Her father was going to marry her off to a laborer named Preece Malloy. Only she let Kynyr get her up the stick. Now she thinks she's going to be queen."

  "Where are you getting all this, Jocelyn? Regina's voice lowered threateningly, but Jocelyn did not seem to notice.

  Jocelyn flicked her shoulders with a poison smile. Uncle Belgair wrote grandfather all about it. Grandfather told Vertram ... and of course, Vertram told me."

  Lillian glanced across the garden at Kynyr talking to Thane Sedley Wescot of Silvershire, an impossible old mon cranky and cantankerous. The bastard's not bad looking. If he does become King, I'll have to take him away from her."

  "As if you could, Regina snarled. It wasn't an arranged marriage. No brideprice. It's a love match."

  "Just watch me. Lillian strolled to the males and bent over Kynyr, mussing his hair. My, what a handsome king we're going to have."

  Kynyr recoiled from her, s
potted Darcy, and shouted, Ugly cubs have more fun."

  "Handsome ones are more fun. Lillian reached for him again.

  "Off with ya, slut, Sedley growled.

  "When I'm ready, Thane Sedley. Lillian sniffed exaggeratedly. When I'm ready."

  Darcy came striding, grabbed Lillian by the hair, and spun her about. Keep your damned hands off my husband's spiritbrother."

  "How dare you! Lillian glared at Darcy, smoothed her hair back, and stuck her breasts out smartly. They were more ample than Darcy's, and Lillian was very proud of them. You're not much to look at, are you? I mistook you for a boy at first."

  Russa charged to Darcy's side with Phoebe and Leeny right behind her. She grabbed Lillian's arm and hair, turned sharply with her hip up, and executed a perfect first level throw. Lillian hit the ground hard and stared at her in shock.

  "Now that's my kind of bitch. Sedley gave a loud belly laugh. If I were forty years younger, I'd be chasing her around Sherwood's barn."

  "You stay away from my brother! You hear me? Russa stomped her foot for emphasis. You stay away from my brother. You don't touch my brother. You don't speak to my brother. You don't get near my brother. Or next time I knock you down, I'll stomp the unholy shite out of you."

  Stone watched the proceedings with a speculative eye and a bemused smile. He shifted closer to Todd. Russa learn that from you?"

  "Ayup. Every bitch in the family can fight like a hellcat. I saw to that."

  "And what's this about ugly cubs?"

  "It's a long story, Stone. Suffice to say, it's a call to arms among the bitches of the family."

  "I'd like to hear it sometime."

  "Ask Kynyr. Or better yet, ask Finn."

  "I'll do that."

  Standing with the bitches, Jocelyn's jaw dropped and her eyes went wide as saucers. Did you see what she did? Did you see?"

  "Stop repeating yourself, Jocelyn. Regina snickered. I think our new royal family is going to prove more than you, Clennan, and Vertram can handle."