Paladin's Oath

by M. H. Johnson

  "Well said, Del Morlekai," the bard whispered enthusiastically. "Come, let us go forth, Lady Verona. We shall vindicate our dear Jessica, and cast the light of truth upon this foul villain's den of iniquity!"

  And, step by cautious step, no guards or hounds in sight, they proceeded. What had appeared to be naught but a lumber mill from a distance was soon shown to be far more, having been renovated and refitted to serve as a very comfortable place of residence. The at one time roughly cut windows had been polished, trimmed, even fitted with stained glass windowpanes, and shutters. Yet the care and maintenance of the field around the residence seemed to have been limited to the care of tethered goats. Which was quite logical, of course, if Kipu wished to avoid undue exposure to gardeners and the like.

  The front door was of sturdy oak construction, inlaid with cut roses and elegant geometric designs. It had no mystical significance as far as Verona knew. Apparently, Kipu had simply fancied a finely carved door.

  “Shall we knock, do you think?” Morlekai’s smile flashed in the moonlight. “I think not, either.” He took a careful look all around the fields surrounding what had been Kipu’s home for over a decade. There was no one about, neither man nor beast. He turned to Verona then, capturing her gaze with his mad, twinkling eyes, and Verona felt a sudden shiver, as if he could see through her careful mask, his knowing smile making her breath catch in her throat. “But before we begin, I have a question for you, dear Verona.”

  “And what would that be, Del Morlekai?” Verona asked, breathlessly.

  “How does it feel to know you will be putting your considerable resources towards assassinating the character of an innocent young man? Slandering his name such that he dare not show his face in polite society once the deed is done, lest sly looks and subtle rumors follow his every move?”

  “Del Morlekai!” Verona’s tone turned outraged, though she kept her voice to a vicious whisper, not feeling it was quite time, yet, to reveal her presence to any guards that might be patrolling.

  The object of her outrage gave a low, knowing chuckle, seemingly not alarmed at all at the prospect of armed guardsmen showing their presence.

  Verona grimaced. Knowing him, he’d probably delight in the excuse for bloodshed.

  “Dear Verona. As if you didn’t know. As if you thought me too thick-witted to understand the words beneath the words.”

  Verona gave an involuntary step back, then blushed. She had made the most novice of mistakes. When an opponent sees a chink in your ruse or defense, never let them know. To do so was to make an easily dissuaded suspicion a cold certainty, and as often as not, one’s opponent was just making random thrusts, hoping something struck home.

  Morlekai raised a single eyebrow. “You don’t recall? Such a poor memory is rare in a Crown Agent. Perhaps you serve… other functions.” His grin turned wicked. “But no matter. I am not one to judge. Never that, dear Verona. But I do have a keen ear for intrigue. I find it quite amusing. Such as when Agda de Calenbry made it quite clear that if you were to find something, anything, that would ameliorate the censure she feared our dear Jessica might face before the Lords Council, the baroness would be in your debt. And what better place to look for transgressions, whether it be evidence of impropriety, journals containing dark confessions, even something as simple as poor Kipu having another lover already, so it could be argued that Jess was simply rescuing Appolonia’s honor. Anything would do. Anything at all.” Morlekai’s lips curved upward, the faintest knowing smile. “Perhaps, even plant evidence?”

  “Morlekai. How dare you even suggest such!” Verona snapped, arms trembling with outrage.

  He shrugged. "Perhaps not. I am sure our dear baroness only gave you a hurriedly wrapped nightgown of Appolonia's, perhaps one conveniently suffering old stains with her moonblood, as a gift." Verona shuddered at the wicked man's knowing smile. "No doubt such would make an exquisitely comfortable present, even for a lesser noble lady, so well-worn and soft to the skin. And of course, it is protectively wrapped in wax paper. Not to keep any trace of your own aura off the fabric, but rather to protect it from the rain. Of course." He gave a gentle shake of his head. "It would be such a pity if such an item were to be found among poor Kipu's possessions, however. What misunderstandings it might generate. How compromising it might seem. No doubt you will be very careful with your inspection of his quarters, even when you catch wind of some pressing urgency that I must investigate, giving you some time alone to do whatever it is that a skilled agent does when searching a room."

  Verona forced herself to take one ragged breath after the other. There was no way he could know. No possible way. But still, who knew the odd talents of Delvers?

  Morlekai's terrible grin froze her, for all that his fiery golden eyes twinkled with bemused merriment, and not the slightest hint of reproval. “But no matter. Even if nothing is to be found, and that is what you expect, is it not? That there is absolutely nothing? Then we have only to rendezvous with your captain and have you both decide that perhaps a formal search request would be best, so you can search unhampered by darkness, or risk of unwanted intervention. Of course, as both you and Agda very carefully pointed out to each other, your demand would be refused. Without supporting documentation indicating a court request for search and seizure. And indeed, any noble would be quick to refuse such a peremptory demand, their own rights as standing lords utterly walked upon by upstart commoners led by a noblewoman who didn’t know her place? Yet that would no doubt serve your ends perfectly. It would be all you need to suggest your suspicions that the Trolos family is hiding something, is that not so? No doubt destroying any evidence before a formal inquiry can be made.”

  Morlekai chuckled softly. "Thus, even if there is, in fact, no evidence of any sort that poor young Kipu is guilty of any wrongdoing, by clever use of your powers you will be able cast his very character into question, hounding him from quarters unseen with suspicion and unsubstantiated rumor, with the result that his associates will slowly drop him from their social circles, and no noble clan would think of sending him an invitation to a gala or dance, ever again." He nodded to himself. "And of course, any assertions of madness he makes in regards to Jessica would just be seen as the vindictive actions of a fallen young lord, particularly if Appolonia's old dress were to be discovered hidden in his quarters. Such might not be indicative of murderous intent, but certainly would show disturbing tendencies, even if no one save his own father found it. What's more, the guarded looks Kipu or his father would reveal at any mention of missing dresses, rumors that could be discretely spread from any number of places using any number of catspaws, all from quarters unseen, would be all the evidence our jaded Court would need to assume that all the nasty rumors soon to be surrounding our troubled young lord are completely true, his social destruction utterly complete."

  Morlekai even had the gall to salute her with a bow. "I have heard of Lady Agda's reputation from afar, but to see it in play firsthand, the willing pawns carefully groomed and set upon their tasks, to see the brilliant buds of intrigue blossom, presaging the fall of her enemies before my very eyes. Delightful!”

  Morlekai's wicked smile left Verona sickened, as if a dark prince was before her, congratulating her fall into compromise and corruption. "Congratulations, Verona. In a single calculated swoop, you will absolutely ruin Kipu's standings in Court. Even if the poor lad has done absolutely nothing, save have the poor taste to bring extra armsmen to a gala inhabited by a madwoman who would no doubt have killed him, had we not intervened."

  His laughter was low and dark. “And if such utter disgrace inspired the poor lad's suicide, 'twould be a coup like few others, not only destroying the present threat, but sending out the message, quite clearly for those who can read between the lines, that the Calenbrys are not to be trifled with.” Morlekai winked. “Isn’t politics delicious?”

  Verona was dumbstruck. How clever she had thought she was, finally understanding this subtle game played by the high lords of t
he kingdom. Words within words, promises implied and agreed to. Safety and security for her son, whatever happened to her. A chance to win the Calenbry's trust, to get to understand Jessica a little bit better before having to make a verdict. And here this arrogant half mad savage had implicitly understood their unspoken arrangement and the package Agda had discretely handed her in addition to the wax wrapped rations Verona had been careful to share generously with both of her companions. Understood the nuances almost better than Verona herself had, until that very moment. And here Morlekai was, dismissing the whole sordid affair with little more than an amused chuckle.

  What was almost worse was how Alexo smiled so approvingly. “What an interesting tale this is turning out to be,” he quipped, gazing at her with amused good humor, as if well used to the antics of lords and madmen, seeing it all as one grand play to be savored and enjoyed, like a favored tale regarding the rise and fall of ancient kings, faded from all history save the playwright's pen. It was as if the Guild outright approved of the shadowy games she found herself playing, even as Verona felt suddenly sick with shame. And there Morlekai was, gazing at her with such a knowing smile, even as the damp evening breeze rustled shimmering locks, his gold green eyes twinkling merrily at her expense.

  She forced her muscles to clench tight, while giving a veneer of cool indifference. She would give this far too perceptive adventurer no more clues with which to read her if she could possibly help it. No inkling of the shame she felt at possibly destroying a young man’s reputation, a lad who had done nothing save protest a raging madwoman’s accusations, but destroy him she must.

  There was a deeper game afoot, and there was someone precious in her own life she had to take care of, no matter how polluted the waters she was forced to wade through became. “You think so little of me, I see. Tell me then, Del Morlekai, if you feel that Kipu is such an innocent, why, by Justice are you even here?”

  The imposing figure before her flashed an excited grin. “For the adventure, of course!” he laughed. “Perhaps it’s just to capture the look on your face when things don’t proceed precisely as you had planned.”

  He looked at the door and sighed, gently testing the handle. “It is locked, and I’d expect no less of young lord Kipu. Now, dear Verona, let me show you one of the perks of surviving repeated forays into the land of dreams.” He paused and Verona saw his powerful frame straining for but a moment against the door. Abruptly she heard a loud crack, and the door swung easily open. He gave Verona a playful wink. “Come, my dear. Let us see what delights await us within, shall we?” And with a throaty chuckle he proceeded inside.

  Taking a deep shuddering breath, Verona followed, the bard entering last of all.

  46

  “Jessica de Calenbry! I have never, and I mean never, in all my life been so disappointed in you!” Her mother’s eyes blazed a fierce fiery blue, and her words lashed Jess like a whip. Jess shuddered, struck bare, rendered speechless as her mother stormed into her bedroom, towering over a suddenly cowering daughter, curled on the bed in childhood reflex as her mother loomed over her, fists shaking with pent up fury.

  “Do you realize what you did? Do you have any comprehension of the magnitude of the disaster that you have caused? Do you, Jessica de Calenbry? Do you at all?”

  “Mother,” Jess said softly, immediately cut off by the fierce figure over her.

  “I don’t want to hear it!” Agda snapped, and the bitter disappointment in her eyes hit Jess harder than any blow Eloquin had ever landed in the training circle. “I don’t want to hear a single one of your justifications, excuses, or denials! Open your ears and listen, you headstrong idiot!” Her mother paused then, squeezing her eyes tight with suppressed frustration and worse, Jess feared. “Your incomprehensibly foolish act might just have doomed our entire family!” There. It was said. Words that hammered into Jess like a leaden weight. Crushing her with the enormity of her guilt, her unforgivable folly.

  Jess caught a glance of her familiar, gazing at them both with his piercing sapphire eyes. Not saying a word. Jess squeezed her eyes tight then, and felt the tears start to come. Hot and bitter. Knowing that her mother was right. Knowing she had made a terrible mistake.

  At least one of the guards she had killed had been innocent. Just a terrified young man, a boy, really, not much older than herself, fighting in mad panic. But with no awareness at all of the darkness she had sensed. And what about the first guardsmen? The evil serpent of doubt slithering around inside her heart rose up to strike at her confidence once more, poisoning her with shame. For what if, as some had suggested, that first guardsmen had only been prodding at her, and had not intended to strike her down with that lunge at all?

  No! No matter how grave her folly, the moment those guards had bared steel, the moment one had lunged at her, she did exactly what she had to. There was no question about that.

  But the evil serpent of doubt was not done its vile hissing. What if she had been wrong?

  “Don’t you understand, Jessica? Don’t you see?” Her mother’s words were bitter as well as pleading, cutting Jess all the deeper. “If you had thought there was a threat, a danger, a risk of any sort, don’t you think your father or I would have trusted your judgment? If you had had the faintest inkling that Kipu was not good for Appolonia, don’t you think that’s all the counsel I would have needed?”

  Jess was rendered near speechless. “You mean…what if I had just come to you and Father when I started to get a bad feeling about Kipu, before I knew what it was?”

  “Yes, Jessica, that is exactly what I mean!”

  Jess blinked, finding the idea difficult to process, alien to the ways she thought. "But… Mother, when the intuition came, I had to follow it. I had performed the ritual. I had the feeling, the shiver, but the picture wasn't clear. Don't you understand, Mother? It wasn't clear! I had to see him! To confront him, to taste the vileness of his Malice, to ascertain the threat and… destroy it."

  The last she said softly, as if suddenly realizing the implications of what she had just stated aloud.

  "So, based on little more than a hunch, an intuition, because your invisible cat told you that trouble was coming, you chanted under a tree and cut your cheek, and you just knew that Kipu was a threat? So your brilliant plan, considering all the political ramifications we have to juggle at present, what with your other escapades, was to just rush over there, chant yourself into a killing frenzy, and gut him? In front of your own sister?"

  Her mother shook with equal parts disbelief and outrage. “Jessica de Calenbry, that is madness. And you almost did it. Butchering four guardsmen, while accusing Kipu himself of being a murderer! Were you completely deaf to your sister’s panicked screams? Do you have any idea of what seeing her sister frothing at the mouth, madly killing, roaring accusations of predation against a boy who had shown her nothing but kindness did to her? Do you have any idea at all, you stupid, headstrong, sorry excuse for a daughter?”

  “Mother…”

  “Silence!” Agda's eyes flashed with bitter frustration, and Jess was left breathless at the depth of her mother’s disappointment in her. She felt her chest clench as a hot piercing ache of shame tore through her. She couldn’t stand it. Couldn’t bear to feel her mother’s haunted gaze upon her. Jess furiously rubbed away crystalline tears as she curled into a ball, unable to meet her mother’s terrible stare that showed her just what a flawed and pathetic creature she was. She who had thought herself astride the world, but hours ago.

  Her mother took no pity on her daughter's painful sobs, continuing relentlessly. “You put your life at risk. Foolishly, needlessly, baiting four armed men, five if you count Kipu. Those guards were wearing mail reinforced leather jerkins, and carrying steel bucklers! You had a knife and your dress. What in heaven's name were you thinking? You could have gotten killed! And then what choice would Kipu have had, Jessica, but to use your own sister, who you say you wanted to protect, as leverage just to get off our estates alive? You wo
uld have forced a blood feud, and who knows how many lives would have been lost to that? I would have lost you, and very likely Apple as well, when we had no proof that Kipu had intended anything!”

  Her mother paced furiously about the room. “It was all nothing but a mad hunch you had. You yourself said it didn’t involve you, and you’ve never had insights regarding your sister before. Yet with a single warning from your invisible cat who I still think is but a reflection of your own odd fancy, and now you can slice your cheek and suddenly you see into your sister’s heart and Kipu’s? By the gods, Jess, did you not think for one moment that maybe, that just possibly, you were so mad to see something that you were chasing ghosts of your own imagination?”

  Her mother shook her head, gazing at her daughter with unbearable pity. As if her oldest daughter were a once beloved hound, now gone rabid, needing only to be put down before any more innocent children were bit.

  “And in giving into that madness, Jessica de Calenbry, in being so insane as to accuse a visiting guest of murder, inciting his guardsmen to attack you, and then butchering four soldiers before your sister's very eyes, not only did you risk you and Apple dying to your own headstrong stupidity, you’ve created an incident that could very well spell the downfall of this House!”

  “Mother!” Jessica wailed in protest, so deeply did her mother’s words cut into her. Caught utterly off guard, for the first time in ages came a blow she was unable, unwilling even to parry, as her mother’s ringed fingers smacked into her cheek with such force that the crack echoed across the room. Jessica was stunned, blinking at her mother in stupefaction, her hand gently touching her cheek and coming away bloody, cut by the diamonds in her mother's rings.