Frank-EReturn

by The Exile's Return [lit]

  Nothing . Larena seethed.

  Then her eyes went to the glasses of wine that had been set at every place, and Larena remembered the poison that Malthus had given her. She went to the head of the table, which was Kynyr's place, and added it to his wine. You're getting what you deserve, Kynyr. Calling me a slut every time I turn around. Treating me like dirt.

  She heard the door open behind her and shoved the bottle into her pocket.

  The nibari set the food out on large platters and the household members arrived.

  Kynyr came in with his arm around Kady, whispering things in her ear that made her blush. He settled in his place and took a sip of his wine before filling his plate. So, Larena, are you liking it here?"

  "Yes. It was very kind of Kady to take me in."

  Kynyr gave Larena a look that made her squirm. Yes it was."

  As the meal progressed, Larena made no effort at conversation. She gave short answers and tried to keep the jealousy from her face.

  Kady had everything that Larena wanted and it all seemed very unfair.

  * * * *

  The cubs had unanimously renamed their hideout in the loft of the barn behind Cahira's shop Cooley's Cave in honor of Cooley's victory over Lani O'Connor.

  Last summer, Rory had persuaded Cooley to ask Todd for permission to construct it in the loft. The walls were built from stacked bales of hay. They had a low table that Rory had rescued from the trash and repaired. Some of them sat on bales and others on the floor. Their numbers had grown to twelve since Cooley bested Lani and forced some of them to reconsider their allegiances.

  The talk kept coming back to the look on Lani's face as he hit the ground, interspersed with descriptions of Lani-sightings. Cooley still felt like an outsider, but he was warming to them.

  However, the incessant talk of Lani eventually got on Cooley's nerves. The others seemed to have framed great expectations of him and the more they talked and bragged, the more Cooley felt that he would never be able to live up to them. He excused himself and went inside.

  He found Todd in the kitchen eating a bit of cheese and bread. Cooley slid into a chair, folded his arms on the table, and studied Todd, looking for some evidence of what exactly made Todd a legend. I'm not my father."

  "And when did you discover that?"

  Cooley gave him a look of solemn exasperation. I'm serious."

  "Do you want to be like your father? Todd's tone turned sober.

  "Ride and fight."

  "Chase skirts?"

  Cooley's eyes got large with indignation. Nooo."

  "I didn't think so, but thought I should ask."

  "I want to be a courier."

  "That's a dangerous job."

  "Can you teach me?"

  "I suppose so. When do you want to start?"

  "Tomorrow?"

  "Tomorrow it is."

  * * * *

  Night deepened around Kynyr and Kady. They had watched the sun go down, had dinner at twilight, and returned to watch the first stars come out. Sitting there, covered in the soft fur of the first stages of hybrid form, they were more accepting of the cold than humans would have been. Kynyr put his arm around Kady, staring out into the velvet darkness as he did so often while autumn dwindled away toward winter. Wind and rain had taken the leaves from the trees, and the orchards beyond his yard looked stark against the full moon as it rose into the sky.

  Claw allowed him three nights home each week so long as he spent four nights at the manor. While he was with Kady, he worried about Claw; and while he was with Claw, he worried about Kady. The chieftain had suggested moving Kady to the manor, but Kynyr did not want her near Malthus.

  "Kynyr? Kady gazed into his eyes. You're very quiet tonight. Is something wrong?"

  Her voice startled him from his thoughts. There's a lot on my mind."

  "Tell me about it?"

  "There's four left and then Malthus."

  "You're certain he was involved?"

  "Yes, but I can't prove it. Don't you?"

  "Malthus gives me a bad feeling. I've encountered him in town a few times. He makes my neck itch."

  His eyes roved the night as if he could find his answers in the stars, or at least think of a better way to say what he wanted to say to her. In the end, he simply said it. I want you to promise me something, Kady."

  "What?"

  "If something happens to me..."

  "Nothing's going to happen to you. She scowled at him. Don't talk like that."

  Kynyr rubbed his hand over his face, exhaling loudly. Nothing is certain in this life. So just promise me. If something happens to me, you'll go to Creeya and stay there."

  "I don't want to make a promise I can't keep."

  "Kady, please?"

  "Compromise?"

  "What?"

  "I'll go to Creeya. But I reserve the right to come back with an army."

  Kynyr chuckled wearily. Kady's army. Okay. Promise me you'll go there and only come back if you have an army."

  "I promise."

  CHAPTER NINE

  STONERIVER

  "I've never been to a city before. So I've just thrown in everything I could think of. I hope it's okay. Kady stood in front of the full-length mirror nude except for the blades on her forearms in tooled leather sheaths, regarding herself with a critical eye, her hands on her lower abdomen. Do you think I'm puffy? Just a little?"

  Larena reclined on Kady's bed. I think so."

  Mary threw Larena an impatient glance, and shook her head. It won't be noticeable for another month, Kady. You're barely past two months."

  Larena rose from the bed and went to Kady's closet. What happened to all your dresses?"

  "I got rid of them. I don't like dresses."

  "Surely Kynyr would like seeing you in a dress once in a while."

  "Kynyr likes me just fine in trousers. Kady grabbed a robe with a flippant shrug and tied it on. The dogs are going to have to manage for themselves for a week while the bitches go shopping."

  Larena got a dreamy look in her eyes. I can't believe we're going shopping in Creeya.

  "Believe it. Mary laughed. I haven't been to the palace in years."

  The door opened and Cahira came in. Well, are you packed and ready to go?"

  Kady shoved two more things into her case. Yes."

  Cahira went to the middle of the room where the luggage had been stacked. Kady added hers. Then the four bitches linked hands around their things and Cahira Jumped.

  Larena gasped and put her hand to her lips. Oh my gods, what is this place?"

  Kady had never been there before, but she had read descriptions of it and immediately started looking for landmarks. Ishladrim Castle. We're standing in the quad."

  The quad, a large green and gardens located in the center of the compound, sparkled with light from oil lamps hanging from tall poles along the winding paths. Kady realized that it must get dark earlier in Creeya, for it had still been daylight in Wolffgard. Myn bustled around them: Assassins Guild students in bright colors, Guildsmyn in their black uniforms with the book and the blade embroidered on the left shoulder in gold, guardsmyn in brown, and nobles in elaborate dress that made the best that Aisha Redhand owned seem shabby.

  The city of Havensword had been chiseled into the side of a tall peak in descending walled levels wrapped around and around it. Ishladrim Castle sat at the highest point. The castle grounds held the palace on the north side, forming a quad with the Guild school and university to the west; the library and the high temple of Hadjys to the south; and the Guild training grounds to the east. The training grounds included a substantial bit of forest called the Stalking Grounds, an equestrian section with lists and a salle as well as several obstacle courses.

  They stood facing the Palace of the Grand Master, its base built like a jutting five spined star, thrust into the mountain. A circular floor supporting the parts that actually showed had been laid atop it in a long flare of seven wings, five small sub-wing additions with dozens
of spired towers and multiple staggered stories and onion domes in bright colors. A whorled maze of other edifices that could only be reached by spans and bridges from the topmost towers and spires or flying creatures had been spread across the lower roofs. The palace had been endlessly added onto it over the centuries until no one alive knew all of its secrets.

  "Cahira! a mild-looking mon in his late forties, clean-shaven and dark approached them in a Guild uniform with two young myn at his heels. He had nothing to set him apart as special except for his chestnut eyes.

  "Aramyn! Cahira embraced him.

  "I see you've just arrived. Can we help with your things?"

  "It would be much appreciated. Aramyn, this is my granddaughter-in-law, Kady Maguire. And you remember Mary Sinclair."

  "A pleasure."

  "This is my sister, Larena. Kady knew that Cahira disliked Larena, but was surprised by the rudeness of not introducing her.

  Aramyn gave Larena a polite nod as he and his companions took charge of their luggage and headed for the palace.

  "We're staying in the palace? Larena whispered to Kady as they followed Aramyn across the quad.

  "Cahira always stays at the palace."

  They stared into the Great Central Hall with its maze of arches, forested with columns, and filled out with couches, chairs, and tables in little clusters as a casual meeting place for the aristocracy and other inhabitants of the palace. The stairs to the Cloverleaf, a warren of underground shops and cafes, were in the very center with a half-moon rail around it; while the path to the Guild Wing lay at a precise diagonal to the West Wing, which was the best wing of the palace for guests.

  "Aramyn, if you do not mind, I would like to go introduce Kady to Lord Channadar."

  "We'll take your things to your usual suite. Then I'll come back and we can chat."

  "Thank you."

  Cahira led the way to a sofa where a black-haired Fae with streaks of fiery orange in his hair held court to a rapt audience of both Fae and humans. He wore a long blue silk tunic and pants embroidered with birds. One sleeve of his tunic was pinned up.

  Kady had only seen one Fae before, Hathura Waveskimmer. Cahira had been giving Kady books to read about the Fae for weeks before suggesting the shopping trip and then spent the past few days teaching her about the differences in customs. None of it had truly prepared her to see the variety among them.

  "He's only got one arm, Larena whispered.

  "Shut up, Larena, Kady snapped. Don't embarrass me. That's Lord Channadar, ruler of Hellsguard.

  Larena flushed. You've met him before?"

  "Cahira described him."

  While Channadar spoke in lilting terms, a Fae with pale yellow hair wrought illusions with her pair of flashing fans and dancing steps.

  Larena saw a little white-haired Fae in elegant mauve breeches and tunic carrying a sword at her shoulder and a pair of golden fans in her sash. She's tiny."

  "Be polite. That must be StealsThunder. I would not mess with her."

  Larena frowned. She's rather unimpressive."

  "Your mouth is going to get you in trouble, Larena."

  "If you say so."

  Channadar noticed Cahira and smiled at her, an impish turn at the corners of his lips, eyes dancing with a hint of mischief. Cahira, welcome back. And who are these lovelies you have brought with you?"

  Cahira made the introductions and this time she included Larena.

  Channadar tilted his head to the side, focusing on Kady. Lady Maguire, I have heard many fine things about you."

  Kady flushed. Your legends pale before your presence, Lord Channadar."

  "Your beauty is as the sun and moon, and the blue skies of summer, Lady Maguire."

  The color heightened still more in Kady's cheeks. You are too kind."

  Larena's expression turned petulant and she stared at a point on the floor with her head lowered.

  "If you have questions about your gifts, young mage, just ask me. A dark-haired human with doves resting on her arms smiled at Kady. I'm Chucomei, the Mage of Wings."

  A tall golden-skinned and golden-eyed Fae came to stand beside Chucomei with a smile. His hand rested on one fan as he regarded Kady. Welcome to Creeya, Lady Maguire."

  She extended her hand to him. You must be Tiderider, First of Thirteen."

  His eyes slewed toward Cahira with a tiny bow. You've taught her well, Cahira."

  The lycan mage turned a fond eye on Kady. She learns easy, studies hard, and is a joy to work with."

  Larena's expression shifted from petulant to bored.

  "What brings us such intriguing company? Channadar gestured at Kady with a closed fan, although the question was directed at Cahira.

  "Shopping. I have an appointment with the High Patriarch to discuss a medical text I'm translating. So I thought it an excellent excuse to bring Kady and Mary shopping."

  Channadar gestured with his fan at the white-blonde Fae who had been dancing his story for him. Would you like to go shopping?"

  "Yes. She started to say something else, paused and pointed across the room at a knot of uniformed myn. There's Stoneriver. I'll fetch him."

  Channadar's lips formed an impish smile. My Dragonfly. My wife."

  Kady dipped her shoulders to him politely. She's beautiful."

  "Yes, she is."

  Engrossed in further conversation with Channadar, Kady did not take note of the mon that Dragonfly returned with until he spoke.

  "I'm from Red Wolf, said a basso profundo voice so deep and masculine that Kady was instantly forced to look at the newcomer. I assume you're the Lady Maguire everyone is talking about?"

  He wore the uniform of the Netherguard. He had the strangest eyes that Kady had ever seen, amber with flecks of sparkling silver. She wondered if there were a horse in creation that could carry a mon that size. He stood six seven, carrying himself with a casual arrogance. He had rugged features, craggy and handsome. Black hair and pale skin.

  "Yes, I am. Kady accepted his hand and sniffed his fingers. Lycan."

  He nodded. They call me Stoneriver."

  Larena stared at him with a hungry bitch look that embarrassed Kady.

  Kady pointed at each of her companions. My sister Larena. My aunt Mary Sinclair. My grandmother Cahira Sinclair."

  He gave each of them a courtly dip of his shoulders and then focused upon Kady. I've heard that there is trouble in Red Wolf. I'd like to discuss it with you over dinner."

  Kady eyed him. Well I suppose we could... She glanced at Cahira.

  "That'd be lovely, Larena said, moving closer to him.

  He gave her the merest glance and then turned back to Kady. In private. Just you and I."

  "Well, I don't know. Kady felt flustered. Her developing mage senses were tingling, telling her that he was not all he seemed and he seemed a lot.

  Tiderider stepped close to Kady. You can trust him, Lady Maguire. Stoneriver is a mon of honor."

  "Well then, of course I accept."

  * * * *

  "This is scarcely what I would call private, Kady observed.

  They stood in the entrance to the Music Chamber, a large cabaret and canteen maintained to keep the students and holy-assassins-in-training to the nethergod Hadjys the Dark Judge on campus until the priests could ascertain whether the deity would confirm them or not.

  A harpist accompanied by two myn on dulcimers and one on a harpsichord filled the cabaret with music.

  A wide variety of seating filled the Music Chamber: booths lined the walls, long trestle tables filled the south end and round tables the north.

  A mon in an emerald and umber uniform greeted them. Will you require a menu?"

  "Lycan menus. My lady does not read Creeyan. Is there a balcony table available?"

  "There's two free at the moment. One overlooking the Lover's Garden and one with an east view."

  "We'll take the north one. Stoneriver offered Kady his arm and she laid her hand upon it as Cahira had instructed her.

&nb
sp; The host swept up two menus smoothly from a counter and led them to the north side, and through an elegant carved door onto a balcony. The balcony looked out over a frost-coated maze of hedges, arbors, sculptures, and knots of blue spruce and white pine.

  "Wine? the host asked as he laid the menus on the table, and held Kady's seat for her.

  "What is your preference, Lady Maguire? Red or white?"

  "White."

  Stoneriver nodded. A bottle of Tovantè White, preferably 1057."

  "A fine year. Shall I bring a tray of appetizers as well?"

  Kady nodded. I'm famished."

  When the wine and appetizers arrived, Kady filled her plate from the platter with such alacrity that Stoneriver chuckled. Lady Maguire has an appetite."

  Kady blushed. I'm eating for two and it seems like I'm always hungry."

  "Ah, I understand completely. When is the cub due?"

  "Mid-Summer. Kady bit into an interesting looking pastry which proved to be fresh trout in a thick creamy sauce. I do know a few words of Creeyan."

  "Which ones? Stoneriver sipped his wine and watched her eat with a bemused smile.

  Kady blushed again. She had not expected him to ask that. Swear words mostly. My husband uses them when he doesn't want people to know they're being insulted."

  "Smart mon. Stoneriver laughed; a rich resonant sound that Kady liked instantly. So tell me what's happening in Red Wolf."

  "The Butchering Serpent killed my husband's father."

  "That's a strong statement. Tell me about your husband as if I knew nothing at all."

  "Why?"

  "Because it fills in the gaps."

  "You knew about Cahira and Tarrant?"

  "Tell me about it as if I knew nothing at all."

  "Cahira became pregnant by him."

  Stoneriver gestured her to silence as the door opened and a servingmon entered.

  "Are you ready to order?"

  "I haven't even looked at the menu, said Kady.

  Stoneriver smiled at her. The Lady will have the partridge stuffed duck with mushrooms. That was a favorite of Talons Trollbane. I think you'll like it. I'll have your thickest steak in red sauce ... rare."

  The servingmon departed.