Nightfall: Book Two of the Chronicles of Arden
Page 9
“He’s nearly here.” The female Blessed Mage, Natori, kept her voice low, but everyone paused to listen to her words. “Hurry.”
The King nodded and an odd look crossed his face, something Joel had never seen before. King Rishi appeared to be—frightened. His voice didn’t shake, but his hands trembled. “You know full well why I can’t send anyone in there, Leal, but the council will demand action if that idiot stirs up enough trouble.”
Koal sighed. “And if he whips Anders and Morathi into some sort of frenzy, who knows what their demands will be. Malin-Rai used to be an envoy before he got caught with his pants around his ankles in Shantar. We don’t need his sort representing Arden.”
Cenric only nodded. “The Empire has stayed quiet almost since the start of your rule, Highness. Why would they reach out now?”
“They’ve expressed a desire to treat with us,” Koal replied. “They’ve invited the King himself.”
Cenric laughed absurdly. “They can’t be serious!”
“It’s a trap.” King Rishi began to pace. “It must be. No one welcomes a traitor back into their midst.”
“Neetra is in the hall,” NezReth, the male Blessed Mage, rasped. His eyes were unfocused, consciousness elsewhere—in the hall perhaps.
Joel felt himself shying away from the strange otherworldly pair of mages despite knowing the King and his father both trusted them, perhaps more than anyone else in the kingdom.
“The King’s right,” Koal agreed. “There must be something more than peace on their minds. The last time they reached out to Arden was to offer a husband for Jorja in an attempt to merge us into their realm.”
“I remember,” Cenric said, a clever smile crossing his lips which was clearly directed at King Rishi. “And it didn’t work out quite the way they’d hoped. Seems an arrogant young prince accepted the marriage proposal but refused the merger.”
King Rishi winced. “I never said my actions weren’t foolish. Now we have to figure out how to spare Arden from my arrogance—and Neetra’s idiocy.”
The stark change in the King’s demeanor gave Joel chills, and when the doors opened an instant later, he almost jumped out of his skin. His uncle, High Councilor Neetra Adelwijn, strode in with all the authority granted the King himself. At his heels was Joel’s brother, Liro.
Koal balked for a second time. “What is he doing here?”
Before Neetra could respond, King Rishi demanded the door be shut and, surprisingly, Liro complied with a cordial nod. He swung the heavy door closed with a bang, and Joel blinked. Where had the Blessed Mages gone? He glanced around, and when he still could not locate them, Joel opened his mouth to ask—a single dark eye met his, and King Rishi’s bodyguard, Aodan, gave a stern shake of his head. Neetra despises the Mages. I suppose it’s better he doesn’t know they’re here. Or were here. Or whatever.
“Had I known everyone was going to be bringing their apprentices I’d have dragged mine along, too!” Koal pointed at Liro. “He shouldn’t be here, Neetra.”
Neetra’s cold dark eyes narrowed. “Liro is hardly that bedraggled, illiterate waif you pride yourself on ‘saving.’ Liro is knowledgeable and well versed in many customs of the Northern Empire. His expertise could prove invaluable here.”
Joel felt like he’d taken a physical blow. Koal’s voice boomed in the confined space. “My understudy is none of your concern—and Liro’s knowledge is secondhand from books and scrolls. Cenric has actually been to the Empire. So much for this being a restricted meeting. I suppose the security of Arden is a small matter!”
Liro drew himself to his full height but kept his voice carefully neutral. He’d even mirrored Joel and put his hands behind his back. Fixing an unreadable look on the seneschal, Liro replied, “What’s the matter, Father? Do you not trust me with the security of Arden?” He flicked his eyes to Joel. “And what title does your favorite son hold that his presence was requested above mine?”
Koal’s face went an ugly red, and Joel found himself reeling for a second time. He wanted to talk back, to yell and demand apologies from both his uncle and brother, but now was not the time. You are an envoy, and this is a political talk. Prove to them you can do this.
The King had apparently had enough of the family dispute as well. King Rishi looked down on Liro with a sneer. “Joel knows when to keep his mouth shut. You could learn well from his example, but I fear your uncle has had too much access to you for that to happen.”
Neetra made an undignified grunt, and Liro pressed his lips together. Koal stormed over to his designated seat at the council table and motioned for everyone else to follow. Joel trailed Cenric and was careful to choose a chair beside him. Joel breathed a sigh of relief when Neetra and Liro sat across from him. At least he had the table as a barrier. It was a shame, though, that he’d have to endure Liro’s scowl.
The King dropped into his chair, wearing a mask of indifference. It was typical for him to remain aloof and condescending in the presence of his council—Joel had seen it many times—but now, his rigid shoulders and tired face whispered of his lie. He wasn’t quite as confident as he wanted them all to believe.
King Rishi glared at Neetra. “I suppose you have something to say about all of this.”
“Highness, you must know the futility of ignoring the Northern Empire.” Neetra’s high whine rang off the vaulted ceiling. “They are too powerful and could take us by force if they chose—”
“Let’s see ’em get through the mountains first!” Aodan growled, breaking his typical silence. The bodyguard stood by the window, his eyepatch shifting as he raised a brow, one good eye glinting dangerously.
Neetra curled a lip. “Their army is far superior to ours, Highness. There’s no point in lying to ourselves. If we offend them we can’t hope to defend ourselves should they take action against us. But could you imagine if they were an ally?” Neetra huffed a laugh. “Who would stand against us? Not even Gyptia would dare act lightly.”
“Gyptia isn’t a concern,” King Rishi replied. “The Northern Empire has never once offered an alliance since I took the throne. Does their sudden interest not raise any suspicions for you?”
Neetra scoffed. “Perhaps they grow as tired of Shiraz as we.”
“Or they are ready to dethrone their ‘traitor.’”
“You have reigned for twenty-eight years. Do you not think they would have acted sooner if they intended to exact revenge?”
The King rubbed his shoulder absently, and Joel had to blink away memories of the assassin’s arrow pierced through the very same place, two years prior. “Maybe they have only failed to remove me sooner.”
Neetra clenched his jaw and offered nothing more.
The silence was suffocating until Cenric cleared his throat. “It has been my experience that peace talks are not often sought out by the Northern Empire because of their lofty position. I might also be suspicious of such an offer.”
“With all due respect, Ambassador Leal.” Liro’s voice was crisp and detached. “Your last mission to the Northern Empire was how many years ago?”
Cenric met the uncouth question head on. “Thirty now, Lord Adelwijn, and may I remind you it was the last mission any Ardenian envoy made to the Empire? I was an understudy myself, and when my mentor and I returned we were forcibly provided ‘company.’” He glanced at King Rishi and the ruler waved Cenric on, allowing him to finish the story. “Despite the niceties of what your school texts may report, I assure you, Arden was hard pressed to deny the Empire’s ‘friendly’ offer of a suitor for Princess Jorja. Their intent then was to merge our countries, for Arden to come under Imperial rule—”
Neetra’s shrill voice spiked. “We cannot know that for sure! There have been suggestions of a cultural misunderstanding—”
The King moved like a cat, slamming his fist on the table so quickly everyone present jumped. “Lies! I was there, High Councilor! You can sprinkle as much sugar on that poison dart as you want, but it remains lethal!”
King Rishi shook his head. “No one’s going. It’s a trap.”
“We cannot ignore this offer!” Neetra leaned across the table. “Send someone else if you will not go, Highness, but we must respond.”
“Who? Who do I send to die, High Councilor? Perhaps you’d like to go on behalf of Arden?”
“I’ll gladly take this honor. Arden can only stand to suffer if we ignore such a powerful potential ally—”
Koal sat up straight. “The hell we’re sending you! You can’t keep the councilors civil. How can we trust you not to make rash decisions in a foreign country?”
Neetra fired back about the council deserving representation on this envoy mission, and Joel pressed his hands to his temples. Too many opinions were being thrown around. He was confused and beginning to regret coming along. How did Gib put up with these kinds of meetings day in and day out?
Joel glanced over to the drawn curtains, wishing for even a small breeze, when he noticed Aodan’s curious stance. Despite the cool outside, the bodyguard had chosen to sit in the sill, most likely to remain out of the way. However, now something seemed to have caught his attention, and he was staring upward. A chill swept up Joel’s spine. He glanced toward the balcony as well. Stop worrying. There’s no assassin up there.
What had the bodyguard noticed then? How in the two worlds could he see anything with only one eye in this gloomy room? Joel could feel his pulse quicken and reminded himself to breathe. The argument continued around them. Did no one else see Aodan? Did no one else care?
“I’ll go before we send Neetra!” Koal fought his way to the top of the debate, and Joel’s heart iced over. Not Father. It’s too dangerous! Koal wasn’t a young man anymore, and he was no envoy. “It stands to reason—if we don’t send our king then we should send his Right Hand, not some random politician.”
Neetra snarled like a stray dog. “I will have you know, brother, I am the High Councilor of all Arden. I believe I have as much authority as you—”
“With all due respect, gentlemen, the Empire would likely find more favor in the status of the seneschal.” Cenric was the voice of reason, as all his years in the field had taught him. “If they’re not going to treat with the King then surely his Right Hand would be their next preference—that is, short of a crowned prince.”
The King’s face contorted into a fearsome scowl, and he pointed directly at the ambassador. “No! Deegan is not old enough, and I would sooner die than send him over that border!”
Joel’s heart pounded in his chest. His father couldn’t go. His mother would be distraught! The King needed Koal. Surely he would stop all of this nonsense—and what was Aodan doing now? The bodyguard had slunk behind them all on his way to the stairs. Joel glanced at the balcony again.
Koal and the King shared a look so brief Joel wasn’t sure he’d seen it at all, but then they each laid a discreet hand atop their sword hilts and he knew they were onto whatever Aodan was investigating. Neetra babbled on, entirely oblivious, while Liro looked up only when Aodan’s lean form shot up the balcony steps. The bodyguard was so stealthy Joel didn’t hear a single footfall. And then—
“Aodan, stop! It’s me!”
The indignant cry of their apparent spy stopped even Neetra mid-sentence. Koal and King Rishi were on their feet with their blades pulled in an instant. The commotion upstairs came to a crescendo with what sounded like a body crashing to the floor, and an instant later, someone was gasping for mercy and fumbling to crawl down the stairs. “Stop! Stop! I’m sorry!”
Hasain Radek scrabbled at the stone steps, his white mage robes tangled hopelessly about his legs, dark hair in utter disarray. Aodan was hot on his trail, crimson face pulled into a fierce snarl. As the young lord struggled to gain his feet, Aodan planted one foot firmly on Hasain’s prone backside and shoved him the rest of the way down the flight. “You get down there or I’ll kick yer arse so hard you’ll have ta loosen yer collar to shit!”
Joel bit the inside of his cheek while Koal and King Rishi both threw their free hands into the air and sheathed their swords. Hasain tried to babble some form of apology, but his father was on him so quickly he had no time. The King grabbed the front of Hasain’s robe and hoisted him to his feet as though he were still a young child.
Hasain cowered. “I’m sorry, Father. I just—I wanted to know what had you so worried this morning.”
King Rishi shook him like a rag doll. “Have you forgotten what sort of capital offense it is to spy on the King? Hasain, you know better!”
“I’m sorry! I meant no offense. I only wanted to be sure you were safe—”
“Not your concern!”
Aodan paced behind them, still agitated. “Yer lucky I didn’t slice yer throat an’ think to ask questions later. How’d ya even get up there?”
The room went silent. The only sound to be heard was Hasain’s ragged breathing. “I snuck in. There was no council meeting scheduled for today, so I knew the back door wouldn’t be guarded.”
Koal glared up at the balcony. “But it damned well better have been locked.”
“It was!” Hasain waved his hands. “The soldiers made sure of it. I just—” He glared down, unable to meet anyone’s eyes. “I unlocked it.”
King Rishi reeled. “You have a key?”
“N–no. It wasn’t a difficult spell—” Hasain took a deep breath. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble. Father, I swear—”
“King. In this council room, I am your king!” King Rishi shoved Hasain into an empty chair so hard the wood creaked. “Now you shut your mouth and sit there. You already know more than you should. I’ll think of a punishment fitting to your crime later.”
Koal and the King took their seats while Neetra raised a brow and spoke down his nose to them. “A crime indeed. What does the old law say about spies?”
“They’re to be hung.” Liro’s response was automatic and uncaring.
Hasain flinched.
King Rishi glared from his seat at the head of the table. “What does the old law say about those who threaten the royal family?”
“Their tongues are to be cut out before they’re hung.” Koal met his eldest son’s eyes with the same severity King Rishi had treated Hasain to.
Liro scowled but said nothing more.
Cenric cleared his throat, and all eyes turned toward the ambassador. “Highness, have you chosen who will go on this envoy mission? Are we going forward at all? What is your plan of action?”
King Rishi took a deep breath and held it. Joel tried not to look directly in the King’s face but had never known him to be so conflicted. He suddenly looked his age. The thin lines around his mouth and eyes paid him no favor when he wasn’t smiling. King Rishi shook his head, but a bitter resignation was about him. “The Northern Empire has called for treaty talks with Arden—and Arden will answer.”
The clamor rose like a high wind, and Joel had to brace himself. Koal and Neetra were each demanding the other stay behind while Cenric offered suggestions and informed the King he would need to familiarize himself with Imperial etiquette. Liro pressed about his own wealth of knowledge concerning the Northern Empire.
Joel’s mouth went dry. Should he go with Cenric? Or was it a foolish child’s dream of becoming an envoy? If he declined this mission, essentially he would be refusing his first difficult task. To do so would as much as admit defeat.
“Neetra doesn’t hold high enough rank to go, and why send one of our councilors anyway? The High Council should trust their seneschal to report back to them and the King honestly. I’m going to head this mission.” Koal’s stone cold voice made Joel shudder. His father couldn’t go. Surely the King would decline him.
“I will n
ot have you ride to your death,” replied King Rishi. “Send Neetra.”
Neetra puffed up like a peacock before the full implication of the King’s words settled on him. “These worries of death and disaster are ill-founded, Highness!”
“Quite the contrary.” Cenric fought to have his voice heard. “My King, I have to speak truthfully here. From what I remember of the Northern Empire, they are very concerned with titles. To send your High Councilor may be misinterpreted as disrespectful. I believe Arden’s best hope lies in sending your highest official if you will not be going yourself.”
Koal locked eyes with the King, and Joel knew they were sharing some unspoken agreement. They had worked together for nearly thirty years. They didn’t need to speak to understand one another. Joel’s heart pounded. Not my father. He’s too old for this. Mother cannot lose him.
King Rishi sighed at long last. “Fine. If you are so determined, Koal. Go.”
“Highness, please!” Joel bleated. “My father can’t be sent into such danger!”
Joel didn’t know what had gotten into him. He knew better than to speak against the decree of the King, but he seemed to have no control over his own mouth. All eyes were on him, and he felt his face burst with uncomfortable heat. Koal’s shrewd look wasn’t angry—indeed, anger would have been preferable to the disappointment looming in his eyes.
Joel swallowed and looked down at the table. “I’m sorry to speak out of place. But, Highness, you yourself have said nothing good can come from sending our people across the border.”
Neetra scoffed. “Koal, you would do well to teach your son how to behave in the presence of grown men.”
Liro laughed. It sounded like a dry cough. The room began to spin out of control, and all Joel could do was focus on getting his ragged breathing back under control.
It seemed no one was going to say another word until the King, of all people, responded. His laugh was broken. “Joel is the only one speaking any sense. But seeing as I am clearly out-voted, I suppose his and my unpopular opinion will have to remain just that.”
Joel dared look up but froze when he realized the King’s dark eyes were focused on him.