Donnel's Promise

by Mackenzie, Anna

  Risha sat straight. ‘Is Margetta all right?’

  The woman raised a hand. ‘That little girl was bound to have trouble; she’d have been lost several times over without your father’s support. I don’t doubt he has it in hand.’

  ‘Might even have been resolved before he got there,’ Gorth said. ‘Rumours are that it was more of an attempted palace coup than an uprising. It’s gossip rather than fact, but it sounds like Margetta’s defenders barricaded themselves within her apartments while Muir got things under control.’

  Margetta’s defenders: not only Muir but Emett and Barc. She’d seen none of them since Donnel had reinstated Margetta in Fratton. For a bitter moment she wished they had never intervened in Fratton’s politics, though she knew the thought unworthy. What would it make them if they had looked the other way while the usurper Somoran had forced a child into marriage and inflicted a rule of terror and torture on Fratton’s people? That Risha’s friends were placed at risk was insignificant by comparison.

  Her lungs rasped as she drew a breath. ‘Is there any word of Lyse and Ciaran?’

  Fenn shook her head. ‘Goltoy is claiming Westlaw was attacked by rebels within Havre; most of his slanders are against the guard. Rumours are rife in the city but none mention you or Ciaran.’

  Risha’s brain felt sluggish, clogged with glue, like her lungs. ‘Might Goltoy be involved in the rebellion in Fratton? The timing is surely not coincidental.’

  Gorth scratched his neck. ‘I wouldn’t rule it out, but we’ve no evidence. Muir might know more.’

  A memory of standing with Muir on the battlements of the citadel flickered into Risha’s mind. They had argued — she could no longer remember why. A bout of coughing wracked her. When it settled, Fenn and Gorth were staring in alarm.

  ‘I’m much better than I was,’ she said.

  ‘That is scarcely reassuring,’ Gorth muttered.

  ‘She has a distance to go yet, and it won’t come quicker for wishing it,’ Minna said.

  Risha ignored her. ‘Did you speak to Meredus?’ she asked Gorth.

  ‘Aye. Did you not get the message I sent from Elion?’

  Risha shook her head. ‘We must have left Havreport before it arrived.’

  ‘Or someone intercepted it and chose not to pass it on,’ Croft suggested.

  ‘They’ll have learned little to interest them,’ Gorth said. ‘There were obstacles to gaining access to your scholar friend, but a little persistence got me past them.’

  Remembering how obstructive the porter at the scholars’ halls had been three years ago, Risha allowed herself to enjoy the thought of him experiencing Gorth’s brand of persistance.

  ‘Meredus was pleased to have news of you,’ Gorth said. ‘As for your questions: he confirmed that if Goltoy’s proposal to add a scholar’s chair to the Sitting proceeds, whoever is appointed will likely be no more than Westlaw’s puppet.’

  ‘Giving Goltoy three votes to match the three held by Havre, LeMarc and Fratton.’

  ‘Goltoy’s control over Caledon’s vote could change,’ Fenn said. ‘Olli believes the city ready to rise against Quilec.’ She smiled sourly. ‘Since his cousin’s death he has become increasingly involved with the radicals. The wisdom of it is debatable.’

  ‘He told me he thought change not far off,’ Gorth confirmed. ‘Even so, we can’t rely on it.’

  Fenn conceded with a tilt of her head.

  ‘And the traders: were you able to find them?’ Risha asked.

  He nodded. ‘The matter you asked me to raise with Marit is arranged. I’d have gone with them to see the thing properly done if Fenn had not found me first.’

  ‘Was Geet still with them?’

  ‘Aye. She and Marit both asked to be remembered to you. They’ll see to your request between them and pass your message on. The other matter will wait.’

  He didn’t wish to discuss it in front of the others. Risha caught her lower lip with her teeth. The stone she had pledged to place on Pelon’s grave would be erected before the summer’s end, and Ganny would hear news long overdue. As for the third thing she’d asked of him, he was right: having waited so long, it could wait a little longer yet — and any news was rightly Donnel’s as much as her own.

  She yawned.

  ‘I’ll see you to bed,’ Fenn said.

  Risha didn’t argue. ‘I’m sorry,’ she murmured, as her head sank into the pillow. ‘I wake feeling better each day, but it doesn’t last. I get so tired.’

  ‘Then sleep,’ Fenn said. ‘Your task is to get well, nothing more. The world will wait.’

  When Risha woke her throat was furred and she felt heavy and hot, the fleeting edges of dreams shredding away as she reached to remember them. She rolled onto her back.

  Fenn was dozing in the chair, her arms hanging slack at her sides. In repose she looked older, her weathered skin and greying hair more noticeable without the distraction of her shrewdly bright eyes. Risha pushed herself up in the bed and the woman jerked awake, pinching her fingers on the bridge of her nose before she straightened and smiled. ‘Do you feel better?’

  ‘A little.’ Risha’s voice grated.

  Judging by the shadows that slanted across the floor she had slept for several hours. Voices rose from the yard: Croft’s followed by a girl’s light laugh: Lillet.

  ‘Is Nolan back?’

  ‘Aye.’ Fenn paused. ‘Lillet seems quite taken with him. Do you mind?’

  ‘Why should I?’

  Fenn’s lips pursed. ‘He has a certain way of looking at you. But then, it would be a rare man who didn’t. You’ve grown up since we first met.’

  ‘How could I not? Three years ago I was a girl searching for traces of her father’s family. Now—’ She broke off.

  ‘Now you are heir to two duchies and haunted by the burden it brings. I’m not blind,’ Fenn added.

  ‘You knew what lay ahead of me.’

  ‘I knew Cattra was your mother. The choices you make are still your own.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Fenn’s smile was enigmatic. ‘I mean you may still choose the path your life follows. You’re not obliged to take up Cattra’s legacy, Arishara. If you wished, you could disappear now. Goltoy would be blamed, leaving you free to live whatever life you chose.’

  Risha shook her head abruptly. ‘I couldn’t do that to my father. Or let what would inevitably follow take place.’

  Fenn made a disparaging noise in her throat. ‘If you mean to shoulder responsibility for the future of Elgard you have a thankless task ahead.’

  ‘You don’t approve?’

  ‘I make no judgements. Risha, I want as much as any to see you in your rightful place, but only if it brings you happiness — and for longer than it brought it to your mother.’

  Risha frowned. Fenn pushed herself upright with a soft grunt. ‘Old women should desist from philosophising. Shall we discover what news has arrived at our little backwater?’

  Voices rose to meet them as they negotiated the stairs.

  ‘The safest place would be LeMarc, but with Thatton controlling Saithe a ship is out of the question.’

  ‘She’s safe here.’ That from Nolan.

  ‘For how long?’ Gorth said. ‘Your presence can’t go unnoticed indefinitely.’

  The stair creaked. Nolan sprang to his feet.

  ‘I can manage,’ Risha said, waving him away.

  Gorth studied her. ‘Your colour is better.’

  She joined them at the table. ‘What news, Captain?’

  ‘Mixed,’ he conceded. ‘The guardpost at Leighton is trebled in strength. Talben is alive, which we know only because Vormer has put a price on his head — and named as traitors all who ride with him.’

  ‘That’s unfair! Their “crime” lies in endeavouring to rescue Ciaran and Lyse!’

  ‘Our Convenor-Regent claims to have brokered peace with Westlaw through the signing of a treaty. In making Goltoy our ally, he makes Talben a rebel.’

&nb
sp; Risha snorted. ‘And will our ally return Ciaran and Lyse to Havre’s care?’

  The men exchanged a glance.

  ‘What?’ she asked.

  Nolan met her gaze squarely. ‘The treaty: it is said that Goltoy plans a wedding.’

  ‘I thought him married already.’

  ‘Not his own. His nephew’s.’

  Realisation crept through her like a stain, like blood spilt on fabric, wicking away to her extremities and leaving her heart cold. ‘Lyse?’

  Nolan gave a terse nod. ‘Goltoy claims a marriage between Harbin and Havre’s heir will broker peace between the duchies.’

  ‘It would not be a peace that Donnel will keep.’

  Gorth gave a grunt of agreement.

  ‘The rumour is that a betrothal took place as soon as they crossed the border. Goltoy intends a wedding within the month.’

  Risha coughed, and pressed her hands against her aching ribs. ‘We have to stop it,’ she wheezed.

  No one answered.

  Croft and Lillet walked into the silence. ‘Your cough is worse,’ Lillet observed before turning to Fenn. ‘I moved both boats into the lee of the headland.’ Her eyes drifted to Nolan.

  His attention was on Risha. ‘I doubt we can,’ he said.

  Her thoughts were spinning. ‘Do you think Vormer planned this all along?’

  He raised his empty palms with a shrug.

  ‘What about Athan’s death: did you learn any more?’

  ‘Officially, his heart was not strong enough to match the strain of recent events,’ Nolan answered. ‘Unofficially: poison has been mentioned.’

  ‘Vormer had him murdered?’

  ‘We’ll likely never know.’

  ‘Will Ciaran know she’s widowed?’ An image dredged from a dream flickered through Risha’s mind: Ciaran weeping beside a deathbed. If only she had looked to see whose body lay in that bed, might she have prevented this? Risha swayed as the world darkened around her.

  ‘—get her back to bed.’

  ‘No.’ Risha shook off Fenn’s hand. ‘Why?’

  There was a wary silence. ‘We thought you about to faint,’ Nolan said. ‘Lillet has gone to fetch Minna.’

  ‘You didn’t answer when I spoke to you,’ Fenn added.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Risha said. ‘I was distracted, that’s all.’

  There was a moment of silence before Nolan shrugged. ‘It’s not as if our news is easy. My lady, it’s lucky we did not return to Havreport. Vormer is currently with his army, while Thatton, as his deputy, heads the Council. Already there are tales of old scores and slights being settled. The guard, or what’s left of it, is scattered; Tyne and Lombard have been removed, replaced by men of Vormer’s choosing. Anyone who wavers is supplanted; a third of the councillors are deposed. They say the dungeons are overflowing.’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Thatton’s family has governed Saithe for generations. It gives Vormer control of both Havre’s ports, its Council and army.’

  ‘What of Commander Bruer?’

  ‘Ah, well, there Vormer missed his play. He might hold Havreport, but Bruer holds the navy. They sailed before Athan’s death.’

  ‘To where?’

  Nolan raised an empty palm. ‘That we don’t know, but Bruer’s loyalty lies with you, my lady. His goal will be to secure your safety.’

  ‘Believing me in Westlaw?’

  He answered with a nod.

  ‘If his plan was made before Athan’s death, Vormer will pass it on to Goltoy. Bruer will be sailing into a trap.’

  Nolan grimaced. ‘It’s possible.’

  Gorth hissed. ‘Vormer’s a fool to trust Goltoy. He’s handing him Havre on a platter.’

  ‘Perhaps it’s as well that Athan began raising an army,’ Risha said.

  Croft made a disparaging noise. ‘Bunch of untrained recruits, with our experienced commanders stood down and the guard dispersed or destroyed.’ His eyes locked on Risha. ‘We’ll need someone to rally the loyalists.’

  ‘Our first priority is to keep Arishara safe,’ Nolan said. ‘It’s not yet clear what Goltoy intends, or when he’ll discover that he doesn’t hold the trump card he believes. For the moment we sit tight.’

  Risha shook her head. ‘Given we can’t yet assume he knows the truth, our first priority is still to get word to Donnel. How long would it take to ride to Fratton?’

  ‘You’re in no condition to ride anywhere, young lady.’ Minna stood in the doorway with a brace of rabbits, soft and pliable, dangling from one hand. ‘There’s another storm in the making. You were thinking going out in it would be good for your health, maybe?’

  Thunder rumbled, long and purposeful, underlining her words. ‘Lillet, if you could spare me a hand, I wouldn’t say no. Seems like I’ve more mouths to feed every time I turn around.’ She sounded thoroughly satisfied.

  As Croft deftly skinned the rabbits and Lillet sliced onions, the smell cutting sharp through the room, Risha took up her argument. ‘Nolan? How long?’

  He studied her. ‘Three or four days to Churton, another to Bethanfield, from there I’d be guessing — another five?’

  ‘Four from Deeford,’ Gorth supplied.

  ‘You’d save four days by crossing the lake and picking up horses in Caledon or one of the smaller towns on the eastern shore,’ Fenn said.

  There was a thoughtful silence. Risha glanced at Minna’s broad back. ‘With my father in Fratton, we could reach him in a handful of days.’

  ‘You might recall that yesterday you couldn’t walk unaided across the yard,’ Minna said, without turning around.

  Risha ignored her. ‘Gorth, what do you suppose Donnel will do when he hears of Goltoy’s plans to marry me to his nephew?’

  ‘With half his army in Fratton, a few days from Westlaw’s eastern border? A fool could work that out.’

  ‘And whatever else Goltoy might be, he’s not a fool,’ Risha said. ‘He intends that my father should invade Westlaw. Abducting Lyse was a goad; the marriage announcement bait in a trap. He wants Donnel to attack — which makes it doubly important that we convince him not to.’

  Not even Minna disagreed. Risha raised her chin. There was a look of amused admiration on Croft’s face, wariness on Nolan’s. She smiled at him sweetly.

  ‘And who will best be able to do that?’

  The watcher

  Minna won a concession that they should wait out the storm, Gorth keeping the peace by offering to ride ahead regardless of the weather.

  ‘I’d sooner travel at your side,’ he told Risha, as he readied to depart, ‘but Minna’s right: you’re in no state to get a soaking. I’ll let Donnel know you’re not far behind.’

  ‘The storm will blow through in a few days,’ Fenn said. ‘If Donnel can hold his impatience in check, things might yet swing to our advantage.’

  Nolan remained uneasy. ‘I still say Risha is safer here.’

  ‘Until Vormer’s spies come calling,’ Croft said, earning himself a dark look.

  ‘We’ll have options once we reach Caledon,’ Fenn said. ‘If the news from Fratton is unpromising, or Risha tired, we needn’t go on.’

  Gorth slung his saddlebag across his shoulder and looked at Lillet. ‘You’re sure you’re up for a crossing in this weather?’

  ‘I’ve been sailing the lake since I was six. Once I’ve dropped you off I can help my father find horses.’ She dimpled at Nolan. ‘Though I doubt there’ll be any as fine as those you have.’

  Webb spoke up. ‘I’ve been thinking about that. Storm’s no bother to me: I could ride them round to Deeford, and if I’m too late there, bring them on to you in Fratton. Just in case.’

  Nolan looked thoughtful. ‘That would spare Minna some awkward questions if anyone comes looking.’

  The woman folded her broad forearms. ‘I’ve talked my way out of worse, but it’s up to you. I’d be mighty tempted, once you’ve gone, to hitch them up to the plough.’

  Nolan gave her a withering look — though
Risha doubted anything could wither Minna’s stolid calm. ‘It would give us another option, one direction or the other,’ he said slowly.

  Risha wondered about the scenarios he was juggling in his head, but there was no chance to ask him in the rush as first Gorth and Lillet and then Webb departed.

  By afternoon the sky was charcoal and rain fell straight and heavy. ‘Will they have reached Caledon yet?’ she asked Fenn, staring out at the dismal landscape.

  ‘Almost certainly. They’ll be wet but no worse.’ Risha coughed and Fenn handed her a measure of Minna’s tonic. ‘Whereas you would almost certainly be worse. Make the most of the chance to rest, Risha.’

  She knew the advice was sound, but accepted it without enthusiasm.

  The storm blew for two days. On the third Fenn conceded the weather fair enough to sail to Caledon. ‘Tomorrow,’ she said, grinning at the mutiny in Risha’s face. ‘There’s not the hurry there was. Gorth will be in Fratton by tomorrow night or soon after.’

  ‘As we might have been.’

  ‘That or buried,’ Croft said, returning a jaunty smile to the hard look she gave him.

  The following dawn saw them gathered on the shore of CaledonWater, the wind cutting chill from the northwest beneath a sky stippled with pink. At the northern tip of the headland a tree leant precariously above the water, half its roots clutching at air. In another year, maybe two, it would lose its grip on the land.

  Nolan loaded their gear and Fenn poled Lakebird into deeper water. A handful of goats grazing on a sweep of turf raised their heads to watch. The sail flapped twice then snapped to attention, sending the boat scudding out into open water.

  Their crossing was choppy and slow as Fenn wove them north along the ragged lip of the wind. Risha sat swaddled in blankets, queasiness stirring her belly.

  Mid-crossing, Nolan settled beside her. ‘Are you all right? You look pale.’

  ‘It’s just the crossing. And that my lungs feel as if they’re pressed in a vice each time I try to draw a full breath.’

  ‘Minna warned it would take time. At one point, it wasn’t certain you would live.’ He smiled. ‘I’m more than glad that you did.’