The Sigil of Sobek: Book 2 The Chronicles of Conran

by Valerie Lindsey

  “Has it worked?”

  Now it was my time to snort.

  “Not yet but I keep trying.”

  “Why do you worry about what anyone thinks? You are so powerful. Everyone respects you.”

  “Respect or fear? Those are two very different things.”

  “It is respect. You saved all of us the night of King Drexel’s nuptials. Most of the people complained when they heard you were being sent to the Court of Florenza. Everyone is afraid that Argelle is exposed with you gone.”

  Castor’s words surprised and warmed me.

  “I didn’t know that Argelle’s citizens felt that way about me,” I responded slowly, finding it hard to believe. “Is it true?”

  “It is. I think you’re admired more than King Drexel. Of course, that is only because of his queen. He was loved until her. Without your guidance, everyone fears what King Drexel will do for her. I don’t understand why King Drexel didn’t have her executed or, at the least, imprisoned.”

  I shared Castor’s sentiments, offering a wry smile in response. It wasn’t wise to question the king. As if realizing how imprudent he’d been, Castor quickly shifted his conversation to safer subjects for the remainder of the day.

  Chapter 6

  After a day of swallowing and snorting out dirt and dust, I was relieved when Silvesto called a halt. Castor throatily hawked an impressively long stream of dirty phlegm. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and looked at me.

  “I think I’ve eaten half the road we’ve ridden!”

  “It does feel like it.”

  “Think we’ll be assigned a different position after the break?”

  “No,” I answered truthfully. “But, we will likely have a better position tomorrow.”

  Castor groaned and spat out another long dirty stream into the road between us. The pounding of hooves made me look up. Silvesto was galloping towards us, clouds of dust puffing from the hooves of his grey Arabian. Scimitar’s ears flicked forward in interest as he and Silvesto’s mare, Hecate, had begun showing interest in each other. Silvesto and I were interested in breeding them, but not until we were settled in the Court of Florenza.

  I guided my horse to a tree and carefully tied him up before walking to meet Silvesto. Taking his cue from me, Silvesto dismounted and tied Hecate up to a tree. His rolling gait brought him quickly to me.

  “Has the dirt been hard to swallow?”

  “Easy to swallow, hard to spit,” I grinned.

  “I have come to give you a reprieve. Lady Ilena requests you ride ahead to her family’s manor to request shelter for our party tonight. It is our best option if we don’t want to spend the night out of doors.”

  “I didn’t realize she was from this area,” slipped out before I could watch my words. Something flickered in Silvesto’s eyes but he didn’t comment. “How do I get there?”

  “Ride ahead of our train and take the right fork. You will cross a stone bridge and several fields. When you see a large oak tree, turn left on first road past it. Her family’s estate is a few miles down. It is a large grey and red stone manor. They shouldn’t be too surprised as Lady Ilena sent a message to them before leaving court.”

  “Do I have time to change shirts? I do not want to arrive so bedraggled.”

  “That may be wise as Lord Balindoch is the sort to care about such things. I believe her mother will be more understanding,” Silvesto said flatly. “I will ride with Castor. A man must be willing to do what he directs others to do.”

  Silvesto untied and led Hecate before following me back to Castor. As we approached, Scimitar and Hecate nickered at each other. Scimitar stretched his neck out to rub noses with Hecate before she rubbed her head along his neck.

  “I don’t think we’ll have a problem breeding them,” Silvesto commented dryly.

  “Shall I ride back after I deliver the message?”

  “It will be more helpful for you to stay there and assist with preparations.”

  I nodded my agreement before untying my horse and smoothly mounting.

  “See you tonight,” I said, forcing a cheerfulness into my voice that I didn’t feel. I wheeled Scimitar around and galloped up the trail. I wanted to stop to speak with Lady Ilena but if she wanted to speak with me, she wouldn’t have sent Silvesto with directions to her familial home.

  A few men waved or called after me as I rode by. I acknowledged every greeting with a smile or a wave. It was such a change from my experience as a youth. I stopped at the food wagon to get a skin of water, a large chunk of bread with cheese, and pull a clean shirt and rag out of my trunk.

  Smiling, I rode past the head of our train and out of the dust raised by other horses and the wagons. I inhaled deeply of the crisp cedar filled air. Soon the sounds of our train fell away. Silence swept through the woods as Scimitar’s hooves pounded the dirt road.

  Gradually, I slowed Scimitar to a trot. I couldn’t help wondering what Lady Ilena’s family would be like. I knew she’d been estranged from them since her father allowed a local lord to kidnap her in an attempt to force her into a marriage she didn’t want.

  I couldn’t imagine being alienated from my family, but it had to be hard to face a family you hadn’t spoken to since you were a girl. She must be dreading seeing them. I felt dismay on her behalf. I must have unconsciously pulled on Scimitar’s reins as he sidled sideways before snorting and shaking his head.

  “Easy, boy.”

  I loosened the reins and patted his glossy neck reassuringly. The sun beat down on my head as I rode through the moving light and shadows of the covered path. Soon the turn Silvesto told me about came into view. I found myself tensing as I turned onto the wide path.

  The trees gradually thinned as I rode. Within an hour, the sparsely spaced woods gave way to rippling, golden fields. Men were working rhythmically in the fields. If this was part of Ilena’s father’s estate then he was far wealthier than I’d expected.

  Once I didn’t see any workmen, I dismounted and pulled my dusty shirt off. I poured water onto it and used it to clean myself as best I could. I let the air dry me before shaking out and donning a clean shirt.

  Remounting, I sat straight in my saddle as I continued past lush green pastures alternately filled with well-fed cattle and wooly, fat sheep with snowy white lambs hopping and playing. I tried picturing Lady Ilena growing up in such verdant surroundings.

  “Hallo!”

  I pulled up and waved as a stocky blond man rode up.

  “I am Conran Seahorn. I came to announce the imminent arrival of Lady Ilena’s party.”

  “I’m Tom Sharpe. Lady Balindoch sent me greet you and take you to the castle.”

  ‘Castle?’ I thought. Aloud, I said “That is very kind of Lady Balindoch.”

  “How many in your party?” Tom asked as he led me up the smooth road.

  “Fourteen,” I responded as I kept pace next to him.

  I felt annoyed at his casual behavior until I realized that perhaps I had allowed my position at court to go to my head. I forced my ire down. After all, I was of humble birth and only the adopted son of a lord. Tom probably felt my equal and I privately conceded he was.

  We rode in silence. It was almost three miles before I saw the castle rise up before us. A line of yew trees lined a well-raked gravel road to a startlingly white and elegant castle. Bright yellow daffodils bobbed in the wind, painting a large swarth before the edifice.

  I had never seen anything so beautiful. It reminded me of Ilena, so beautiful and elegant herself. Why would a man who had so much sacrifice his daughter? What could the count who abducted her have to compete with the wealth spread before me?

  I didn’t relish meeting Lady Ilena’s father but couldn’t allow my feelings to prohibit exhibiting my best manners. My stomach tightened as we approached the grand edifice. I started guiding Scimitar to the rear of the castle.

  “Master Seahorn, I was instructed to take you through the front doors. You and your party are honored guests of Bali
ndoch Castle. There is a messenger from King Drexel awaiting you.”

  Not trusting my voice, I nodded in response. A king’s messenger and he didn’t think to mention it until now! We should have ridden faster. I pushed my annoyance down. Such casual behavior would never be tolerated at Brendan’s estate. Two messengers in one day seemed ominous.

  Tom opened the door and stepped back to let me precede him. I entered a grand foyer with a grey marble tiled floor. Hunting tapestries and mounted stag heads adorned the pale stone walls. A manservant stepped forward to take my hat and coat.

  “Welcome to Balindoch Castle. Would you like to freshen up in your room, Lord Seahorn?”

  “My stepfather is Lord Seahorn,” I corrected him smiling. “As only his adopted son, Conran or Master Seahorn is appropriate. Thank you for the offer to freshen up but Tom said there was a messenger from King Drexel awaiting me. I need to see him first.”

  “Of course, Sir. He is in the drawing room. If you will follow me?”

  Nodding my assent, I followed him. Our boots echoed sharply on the marble floors. The servant stopped before carved double doors. He waited until I was beside him before sliding the doors open. I hadn’t seen doors that slid into the wall before but tried to hide my surprise. I focused on the man who stood up from an overstuffed armchair.

  “Master Conran,” the tall man said with a slight bow. “It is good to see you looking well. King Drexel was concerned when he received your letter.”

  “My aunt is a healer. Lady Ilena had the men take me to her. I was only able to travel two days ago. How did you know to come here?”

  “Silvesto sent a messenger with your travel route. I guessed you would be close to this stop. I only arrived an hour ago.”

  I felt relief that he hadn’t been waiting longer than that. I hoped he wouldn’t take too long to tell me why he was here. I gave him a quizzical look.

  Smiling, he handed me a sealed letter. I forced myself to calmly break the seal and unfold the missive. I couldn’t imagine what provoked King Drexel to write me so soon.

  His courier stood quietly as I read. The words started swimming before I finished. I felt myself pale and my hands began shaking. The courier must have called my name several times before his voice broke into my fog.

  “Master Conran! Are you feeling ill?”

  I must have nodded as he guided me to a chair. I sat down heavily, laid my head back on the chair and closed my eyes.

  “Can I get you some water?”

  “That would be nice. What is your name?”

  “Jeffrey, Sir.”

  “Please, just call me Conran,” I said in a low voice.

  “That would not be appropriate as you are receiving a peerage and, may I say, you richly deserve becoming a lord. The citizens of Argelle were ecstatic when King Drexel made the announcement.”

  Startled, I opened my eyes and stared intently into Jeffrey’s brown eyes.

  “King Drexel announced it?”

  “The King’s Council was in an uproar when they heard you had been sent away. Matched by outrage throughout the city. They felt you were ill-served. The Chancellor made the recommendation and King Drexel readily concurred.”

  Jeffrey looked like he wanted to say more, but he pressed his lips tight before turning and leaving. King Drexel’s letter announced that he would be arriving in two days to name me as ‘Lord Pierce-Seahorn of Wickingham for services rendered the Crown.’ He had added a postscript that my family would be attending. I was stunned.

  I had felt so betrayed to be sent to a new court and away from the position that had become so important to me – all because his new wife hated me. And now, to be told I was joining the peerage. The transition from outcast to honoree overwhelmed me. The indignation expressed at court and in Argelle must have been considerable to push King Drexel to this. I felt torn about the honor.

  My thoughts were interrupted as the doors slid open and a young woman rushed in. I stood as one of the most beautiful women I’d even seen stopped before me with low curtsy, a whiff of rose perfume and an incongruous toss of wavy black hair. She straightened and met my eyes boldly.

  She had to be Ilena’s sister though she had bright blue eyes in which mischief and supreme self-confidence shown. She boldly examined me. I felt like a worm on the end of a hook being eyed by a voracious fish.

  “I am Fira Balindoch. We are honored to have such an illustrious visitor,” she smirked with a very low curtsey that displayed a creamy bosom that threatened to escape from her dress. I struggled to avert my eyes.

  “Illustrious is not a term ever applied to me,” I said laughing. “You must be looking forward to seeing your sister again.”

  She shrugged. “I was only three when Ilena fled our home. My father had her portrait removed and forbade her name ever being spoken. We are pleased that you will be honored here. Mother has had everyone working to prepare Balindoch Castle to show at its best.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Oh,” Fira said, smiling coyly, “we have our ways. There are truly no secrets among our class.”

  Fira definitely was not her sister. She batted her eyes and leaned forward again to adjust a pillow on the divan. A subtle scent rose from her flawless skin. I carefully stepped back to put a little more space between us. What was keeping the courier?

  “Our party will arrive within the hour. Can you show me where we will be staying?”

  “It would be my pleasure,” she simpered, drawing out the last word slowly. Fira slipped one small hand through my arm and laid the other on top. “Mother has you, my sister and those of your station in the west wing. His Majesty, King Drexel, will have the entire east wing. It is a good thing Father is dead as he would be furious to give up his rooms.”

  I started. I didn’t know that Ilena’s father was dead.

  “I’m sorry for your loss. When did he die?”

  “Five years ago. I had just turned thirteen. It spoiled the celebration.”

  I bit my lip before asking in a steady voice, “Does your sister know?”

  “Like mother, she seems to have a skill for knowing what others don’t, so she likely does.”

  I felt the hair rise on my arms. Something in Fira’s voice made it clear she disliked her sister. I felt for Ilena.

  We walked through the impressive foyer and up an equally grand, curving staircase. Portraits and dark paintings covered every wall space as we ascended. The wainscoting gleamed with polish.

  “What’s wrong, Lord Pierce-Seahorn?”

  “I am not a Lord yet,” I responded. “Please call me Conran.”

  “Your arm stiffened, Conran. Have I said something wrong?”

  “Lady Ilena is my mentor and a dear friend. I do not take any aspersion against her lightly.”

  “You shouldn’t take what I say so seriously,” Fira insisted, rapping my arm lightly. “It’s natural for sisters to be jealous. I’m envious of your obvious affection for Ilena. I can only hope you will become equally fond of me.”

  She delicately dabbed at her eye as if wiping a tear. I wasn’t fooled. I would have thought Ilena’s caution of women was based upon her sister, but doubted Fira would have developed her wiles at the tender age of three. By the same, I couldn’t understand how Fira could have developed such animosity towards an elder sister she likely couldn’t remember.

  Dark carpeting ran down the wide hallway. Something else I’d never seen before. Balindoch Castle was unlike anything I’d ever known. All the woodwork gleamed and smelled of lemon. Brendan’s manor was not so grand but I preferred its homeliness though I knew that was largely due to my mother’s influence.

  “The suite for you and your party is down the left hall. I selected the best room for you,” Fira declared as she opened the second door on the right.

  I stepped in behind her and paused to admire the room. Pale blue damask covered the walls. Large windows flanked both sides of the bed, which was covered in a dark blue coverlet that matched the thick c
urtains. Patterned rugs were scattered on the dark wood floor. The bag from my saddle had already been set beside the bed.

  I could hear the uncertainty in Fira’s voice as she asked, “Do you like it?”

  I smiled reassuringly as I answered, “It is possibly the most beautiful room I’ve ever seen. It seems far too grand for me.”

  Fira smiled back, showing perfect, pearly teeth.

  “Would you like to see Ilena’s room and the other rooms for your party? You can tell me who should go in which room.”

  There was a shadow in her eyes as she watched me. I felt she wanted to make amends for her earlier remarks and I wanted to give her a second chance; if only for Ilena.

  “I’m sure whatever you would decide would be perfect but it will be nice to select the rooms with you,” I responded smiling.

  Grinning, Fira reached out and took my hand to lead me out. I reeled as images flashed before me. Finally used to the suddenness of my visions, I managed to regain my equilibrium and not sway or fall as I’d done when I was younger. However, I paused as a particularly disturbing vision rose up.

  Instinctively, I tightened my grip on Fira as I blindly followed her. My body ran hot and cold. Thankfully, the vision faded away as we stepped inside the next room. This room was done in soft mauve brocade. The walls were papered in a delicate floral pattern.

  “This is perfect for Lady Ilena. Are all your rooms so luxurious?”

  “Mother is insistent that a home reflects the breeding and quality of its owners. She selected the materials and directed how each room would look.” She paused and a small frown appeared between her eyebrows. “Are you feeling well? You are terribly pale.”

  “I probably didn’t eat enough on the road,” I lied. I needed to warn her of what I’d seen but I wasn’t sure how to broach it.

  “Mother would scold me as a bad hostess. Unless you really want to see the remaining rooms, we can go downstairs for tea.”

  “I trust your judgment on the rooms. Tea sounds perfect.”

  “Do you want to freshen up first?”

  I realized she was being delicate in her suggestion. I knew I needed to bathe but I didn’t have a change in clothing with me.