by Pelaam
“I wish Hanne hadn't come.” Taima glanced quickly at his lover. “But he wouldn't leave me any more than I would leave you.”
“I know, Taima. Don't forget how hard this will be for Hanne, too. He must pretend you are just a friend but knows that Lonato is a dangerous adversary. I believe that between us, we will uncover his duplicity and denounce him for the traitor he is.”
“I won't let you or Hanne down.” Taima made it a vow, and Citlali looked back at him and nodded as she pulled ahead of him on her steed.
“I know you won't.” Citlali kicked her horse’s flanks gently to resume her place alongside Weyra at the head of the entourage and Taima sat tall in his saddle.
The time flew past until the palace came into view. He wished he felt happier to see it, but part of him felt that it was no longer home. As they drew closer, Lonato rode out with an escort of his own.
With a nudge of his heels, Taima caught up with Citlali and Weyra, frowning when he saw that only two of the riders accompanying Lonato were Citlali’s own guards. The other guards were coastal Fey, Lonato's own men. Citlali urged her horse forward a little and Hanne joined the small group behind her. Taima emulated his sister, not relaxing for a moment.
“I'm so pleased you are safe and well, Citlali.” Lonato’s face was wreathed with concern. “We were told you and the others were all dead. You’d been killed in a failed escape attempt. Lord Weyra’s news was a great shock to us all.”
“Fortunately, your intelligence was greatly flawed, Uncle.” Citlali’s tone was every bit as regal as she looked and Taima felt a swell of pride.
“Thankfully Lord Amand proved he is an ally, not an adversary. There is much to discuss with regards to uncovering the true traitor, Lonato.” Citlali indicated one of Lonato’s men. “You, there. Ride quickly back to my castle and alert my captains that I need to speak to them urgently.”
The guard hesitated, and his gaze flickered in Lonato's direction before he obeyed.
“Is Lord Weyra to stay with us, Citlali?” Lonato asked, looking past her, his gaze boring into Taima before moving on.
“I could hardly expect him to make such a journey and leave immediately. He will stay a couple of days.”
Taima shuddered, as much from the look he’d received as from the look Lonato gave Hanne. It was a mix of hatred and anger, but his lover showed no reaction. Hanne’s gaze remained fixed on the castle ahead.
Although Lonato made no comment, he wheeled his horse around and rode on ahead. Citlali followed, and Taima kept just behind her with Hanne, his face as set as stone.
They rode straight into the palace courtyard. Taima sighed with relief to see the familiar faces of Citlali’s captains. While the horses were led away, more of Citlali’s soldiers came forward. It had been a huge weight off his sister’s shoulders to know that her captains had been more than willing to accept Weyra’s messages of assurance, despite Lonato’s reluctance.
Anyone who had planned the events thus far was a cunning and lethal adversary, and Taima glanced from his husband to his sister.
Achai, Muraco’s deputy and a long-serving, well trusted man, came forward and bowed to Citlali. “The gods be praised you are unharmed, my Lady.”
“We have Lord Amand to thank.” Citlali spoke loudly, clearly addressing all the gathered soldiers and not just Achai. “If it were not for his vigilance and integrity and the bravery of his men, such as captain Hanne, I and the others might be dead—or worse than dead.”
“I take it the Duende is part of Lord Weyra's entourage?” Lonato sauntered forward, distaste clear in his voice.
“Captain Hanne is here as a demonstration of Lord Amand's faith in us, Uncle.” Citlali barely glanced at Lonato. “To help us discover our true enemy, and, in part, as a friend to Taima and me.” Citlali kept her voice loud and clear to carry beyond her soldiers to the gathering group of onlookers.
“Indeed?” Lonato snapped, his voice tight with suppressed fury. “I would have said we would do better without such assistance.”
Taima glanced around. The gathered crowd looked on with curiosity, and the palace soldiers were focused on Citlali. Only Lonato’s soldiers muttered and shifted restlessly. As he turned to look back at his sister, Taima yelped as Lonato loomed close, reaching out for him, his face dark with anger.
“As for you, Taima, you were expressly forbidden to go after Citlali. We might have lost all of my cousin's lineage.”
Before anyone could react, Hanne knocked Lonato’s hand aside and growled threateningly at him, baring his teeth.
“I see Amand has sent you a guard dog, Citlali. It is hoped that the beast is house broken. It seems to have slipped its muzzle.” Although Lonato’s words were cold and hard, he backed away a step or two.
“You will not speak to captain Hanne in such a fashion.” Taima was angry at Lonato’s words, and angrier with himself for not being more focused.
“No one will, Taima.” Citlali held up a hand, her voice louder than before as she regained control of the situation. “All of you, listen closely to me. Captain Hanne holds the same office in Lord Amand's estate as Captain Muraco has in mine, and he will be afforded the same respect. By everyone in the palace. Failure to do so, by anyone, will be regarded as a deliberate insult to me. Lord Amand is innocent in all that has happened. We have been misled, and he and his people have suffered even more than we. I will find our true enemy. If anyone feels they cannot work with me they are free to leave. Immediately.”
Taima held his breath as Citlali turned a full circle with deliberate slowness, her gaze fixed on one, then another, in the gathered crowd. To Taima’s delight, her men met her gaze steadily, while many of Lonato’s looked away or toward their leader.
With a smile, Citlali nodded. “Very well. Taima, I think it would be wisest for Hanne to share your suite of rooms. It may take some time for people to become accustomed to a Duende guest. However, it is my expectation it will not take too long.”
“Very well, Citlali. Captain Hanne may have one of my rooms.” Taima smiled at his sister. “If you don’t mind, Captain Hanne?”
“I am your guest.” Hanne spoke carefully, his voice deep and clear. “I am honored to be so. I will abide by your decisions.”
“Good.” Citlali nodded. “That’s settled. Lord Weyra, I am sure you will wish to refresh yourself as much as I do. We can meet a little later.”
“It will be my pleasure, Lady Citlali.” Weyra bowed to her, and then gave Lonato a cursory nod. The gesture was a potent reminder of who ruled the estate.
“Lady Citlali, how are the others?”
At the shout from the gathered crowd, Taima looked quickly around, but was unable to identify the speaker.
“The twins fare well,” Citlali said, addressing the whole crowd. “Muraco received a bad wound to his leg that prevents him riding yet. Namid received...” Citlali hesitated.
“Namid received wounds not just to her body, but to her mind and soul.” Hanne spoke up and came to stand with Taima at Citlali’s side. “However, she is a brave warrior and an excellent horsewoman. She has found a way to heal by looking after the horses of Lord Amand. She is held in great esteem for her talent with my lord’s great stallions. Few can tame them to their hand.”
Taima tried to remain expressionless, but was delighted to see many of the men now looked at Hanne with more respect.
There was a murmur from the crowd, and Citlali held up her hand. “Namid will return when she feels ready. As will Muraco and the twins. We all consider ourselves very fortunate that Lord Amand proved to be a man of great honor.”
There was another low murmur from the gathered crowd. Achai stepped forward to introduce himself to Hanne, and ensured his handshake was visible to many.
Taima had to force himself not to smile in triumph when Lonato gave a curt jerk of his head and left, his men trailing after him.
“Lord Lonato brought many of his men, Lady Citlali.” Achai nodded toward Lonato’s retreating b
ack. “He said it was his intention to storm Lord Amand’s fortress and kill or drive the Duende out of our lands.”
“Lonato’s information was greatly flawed.” Citlali shook her head. “We must all be vigilant. I have no doubts the real enemy will be on their guard, but I am determined to uncover them and show them for what they truly are.”
Taima nodded. The gathered men were left in no doubt that Citlali believed there was a traitor in their midst.
“We are all behind you, my Lady. Isn’t that so, men?” Achai shouted out, earning a cry of affirmation from the gathered soldiers.
The open and vocal support was everything Taima could have hoped for. With Citlali’s men firmly behind her, Taima was sure that Hanne’s presence would be quickly accepted. Then the focus had to be on finding Muraco’s informant and revealing Lonato for the traitor they knew him to be.
Chapter Twenty
His gaze fixed ahead, Hanne stomped along the marble hallway to meet with Citlali. He felt useless and the last week had dragged by with interminable slowness. So far, despite Citlali’s best attempts, she had failed to locate Muraco’s informant. They didn’t know whether he’d been killed or gone into hiding. There was nothing Hanne could do to help, and as a warrior, hated feeling so impotent.
There was also the underlying tension within the palace. From Hanne’s perspective, it seemed there were at least as many of Lonato’s men as Citlali’s own in the palace, and more of Lonato’s at the mine. He’d heard Lonato call them protection from the Duende, but since Hanne knew that was a lie, he wondered why so many soldiers would be needed there.
On reaching Citlali’s room, Hanne rapped on the door, waiting for the call to enter before stepping inside.
Across the room, Citlali paced up and down. She greeted him with a fleeting smile. “I never imagined things would be so difficult. I’m certain Lonato is mocking me. With supercilious smirks and sarcastic tones that grate on my nerves. He knows. I’m absolutely certain of it. But how?”
“He cannot. No one could have told him the truth. Perhaps it is the tension.” Hanne shook his head. “Even the air feels oppressive. Taima feels it even more than I.”
“How is he?” Citlali stopped pacing to look anxiously at Hanne.
“Struggling to keep food down.” Hanne scowled at the memory of cleaning up after his beloved, and Taima’s pleas that Hanne not tell Citlali. “He manages soups and broths, and the kitchens have been very imaginative these last couple of days. He didn’t want to worry you even more, so refused to let me get a physician.”
“His health is important, too. Today he sees one. I have little to report, Hanne. Achai is hunting for Muraco’s man. Taima was going through father’s papers. I thought he looked pale. I wasn’t sure if it was a sickness or just the strain. I—what was that?”
A sound at the window stopped Citlali, but before she could move, Hanne was already peering outside. Something had hit the window, and given they were three floors high, it couldn’t be by accident. An elderly human looked up, and his eyes widened at the sight of Hanne.
Citlali pushed past Hanne, looking out alongside him. “Muraco’s informer. He must be. But he looks terrified. He’s ready to bolt. I can’t let him get away.” Flinging open the window, she stood on the sill and then jumped the short distance to the nearby tree. “This was a favorite way to leave my room as a child.”
“Citlali, wait.” Hanne called out to her, but she was already clambering agilely to the ground. With a disgruntled growl, Hanne followed her, using his tail to wrap around the tree’s trunk for added safety.
“This way. Hanne, follow us.” Citlali grasped the man’s hand and ran with him to a more secluded area of the garden before ducking down to kneel behind a good, thick bush that ran the length of one of the pathways. It curved away from the path to a copse of trees.
Just a pace behind them, Hanne evaluated the spot and nodded. Here they would be safe and unseen.
The man glanced fearfully at Hanne, then turned his attention to Citlali. “I’ve tried to reach you, my Lady. But I daren’t trust any save yourself. I managed to smuggle myself into your estate with a delivery of food. Had Lonato caught me, I would be a dead man—or worse. My name is Kyle, and my brother counted himself a friend of your father as well as the overseer of your father’s mine.” The man’s voice trembled and he spoke so quietly that Hanne struggled to hear him.
“Your brother was Ford, then?” Citlali asked, and received a quick nod in reply. “I was told he died during a fight with the Duende when their cheating was uncovered. Sorry, Hanne, that will be yet another lie.”
“Yes, Citlali.” Hanne murmured softly. “We are innocent of anything against Fey, except where we defended ourselves from unprovoked attacks.”
“If you please, My Lady.” Kyle hesitatingly touched Citlali’s arm. “We need to get into your father’s study. Before he was killed, Ford told me your father was gifting half of the mine to the Duende as thanks for all they did and to celebrate shared friendship and prosperity. Then something happened. He and Lonato had a terrible argument and when your father turned away from Lonato, Ford said Lonato’s look was nothing short of murderous. Not long after that argument, your parents were killed, then my brother, along with many of his trusted men. Lonato took over the mine. But before he was killed, Ford said you had the key that would reveal all.”
“I?” Citlali gasped out loud, glancing at Hanne and shaking her head. “You must be mistaken. I have no key.”
“Yes, you do.” Kyle touched her pendant. “This is the key. Your father kept papers and journals. He locked them away. Even Lonato didn’t know where. He thought if it was a secret kept from him, then no one knew where they were. But your father entrusted the information to my brother, and he in turn gave it to me, but I was away traveling. I only recently returned. I contacted Muraco, but when we were due to meet, I had to venture away from my camp and it was fortunate I did.”
“Indeed it was.” Citlali nodded. “And equally so that I disregarded Lonato’s suggestions I empty Father’s study, reworking it into a different room.”
“We must search the room.” Hanne’s hopes rose, and the thought of being able to do something dispelled his irritation.
“Come this way.” Citlali started toward the palace. “This is my personal garden. This is where I still feel close to Mother, just like I feel close to Father when in his study. No one should be here without my permission. We must find my father’s journals. If Lonato was keen to get his hands on them, they must be important. Perhaps they hold the information needed to denounce him.”
Allowing Kyle to follow close behind Citlali, Hanne hung back, keeping an eye on things behind them. Even in the palace itself, they were cautious. Hanne was relieved to make it to Citlali’s father’s study without being seen by any of the palace retainers or courtiers.
While Citlali and Kyle searched thoroughly, Hanne kept a check on the hallway. Although Citlali believed she had its only key, Hanne wouldn’t put it past Lonato to have one of his own. Especially if it contained something he considered valuable. Since he knew nothing of the room, he’d taken a more pragmatic approach to his assistance.
“Nothing. I can see nothing.”
The bitter frustration in Citlali’s voice drew Hanne’s attention and he looked back into the room.
Citlali stood almost in its center, a life-size portrait of her father on the wall behind her.
The image caught Hanne’s attention. Something looked a little odd to him. He took a few steps farther into the room. “The medallion,” he murmured, not addressing anyone in particular.
“What of it?” Citlali asked.
Hanne looked at her. “Your medallion. Put it over that of your father’s. The portrait was set over a large desk. Hanne lifted Citlali and set her on it, his heart hammering in anticipation.
“Yes!” Hanne thumped the desk with his fist as Citlali pressed her medallion against that of the one around her father’s neck
in the portrait. The painting sank back into the wall. There was an audible click, and then the whole painting swung outward to reveal a hidden niche in the wall. Citlali pulled out a journal.
“This must be what Lonato searched for.” Citlali brandished them.
“Perhaps we’ll learn some answers.” Hanne lifted Citlali down to the floor and she began to read.
“Qullqi.” Citlali whispered, turning to Hanne and then Kyle. “They found qullqi at the mine, and my father wanted to gift half the mine to Amand and his people so that we could all share the wealth.”
“That makes sense.” Hanne nodded. “Qullqi is the most prized and precious metal that can be mined. Stronger than iron, as supple as gold, both elven and dwarf metalworkers would offer their services freely just to work it. Your estate can’t provide workshops, but Amand’s, with its furnaces and the water that comes through the Orq’o Mountain, is perfect.”
“Father had a huge quarrel with Lonato.” Citlali fingered her medallion as she read from the journal again. “Lonato wanted us to keep the metal for ourselves and use force to take over Amand’s fortress. He said we’d be wealthier and more powerful than kings. He thought father a fool to want to share it. The day father and mother were killed, they were going to Amand to discuss the mine. Father kept the deed here, for safety. He suspected the recent ‘attacks’ by Duende were owed more to Lonato than Amand. And it was only ever Lonato’s men who reported such incidents, according to what my father had been able to uncover.”
“Then Lonato knew the mine was worth a king’s ransom,” Kyle whispered. “Little wonder he was prepared to kill to keep it.”
“And still is,” Hanne muttered.
“He told me that the Duende were stealing from us and never once mentioned qullqi.” Citlali looked up, her face contorted with anger. “He wanted to marry Taima and me to wealthy lords of his choosing, and keep hidden the wealth the mine contains. No wonder all my potential suitors were well established with large estates. Lonato needed me to leave here. Now I have the evidence I need. This journal states that Lonato knew my parents were going to Amand, and he always claimed not to know they planned on leaving the estate. We have to get Amand to bring his men here.”
