by Katie Roman
Grace felt her jaw tighten. She had admired every story she'd ever heard about Elanor, and at one time even wanted to join this woman's court. This was a woman who took her throne despite mounting odds against her, a woman who did not let her gender define her role in society. However, Grace was horrified at the way Elanor provided no options and made her word law. She treated people as nothing more than disposable bits of garbage. Why, she was as bad as Frederick! Grace swallowed an angry retort and looked to Drake for support.
“We'll be along to the Dawn soon,” the prince said quietly, nodding for her to leave.
The other servant, Clive, helped Grace from her seat and showed her out. Once on the deck, he spoke. “Let us find Reggie and see to your dinner.”
“I'm not hungry,” Grace retorted, and broke away from the servant.
Across the deck, Donald and Kay stood in a quiet conference. Grace’s face was hot with anger and annoyance as she joined them.
Donald pulled her close when she arrived. She tried to relax and return the embrace of her childhood friend, but felt rigid as a board.
“I'm glad you're alive and safe, Grace.” Donald ignored her coolness as he held her by the shoulders and smiled. In the darkness she saw his bright teeth and eyes, illuminated by the moon's glow.
“I wish it were under better circumstances,” she said. She touched his face and smiled. “Gods, but you are a welcome sight.”
“I'd imagine a pit of snakes would be a welcome sight after that bunch.” Kay jerked her head in the direction of the cabin.
Grace wondered if she knew who really traveled on board, but she decided not to say anything. If Kay knew, she was probably keeping her mouth shut or had been paid handsomely to do so.
“What did they want you for?” Donald asked.
“They're hatching a plan to rescue the duke.”
“And leave Marcus behind?” Kay asked.
“No, they'll have to have the prisoners behind them if they want to succeed. They need Marcus.”
“How do they plan to get Marcus or any of the prisoners behind them?”
Grace quietly explained their plan. In the darkness she couldn't read Kay's expression, but her sour tone told her everything she needed to know.
“They expect me to risk my man for this? That’s just like nobles to think a commoner's life is worth nothing.”
“But if Quinn goes, it will be easier to get Marcus,” Donald pointed out.
“It is a lot to ask,” Grace remarked.
“No, it is a lot to demand,” Kay corrected. “They won't be ‘asking’ when the time comes. I suppose I better prepare Quinn for his incarceration.”
Grace caught Kay's arm as the captain moved to climb into the waiting boat. “Then you will do it? Or, I suppose, you’ll ask Quinn to?”
“It is unlikely that we will have a choice in the matter. They have already bullied me into coming here and waiting for their little conference to end. Why fight when the battle has already been lost? We do this now for Marcus, not for them. But once we have Marcus, we're sailing for Glenbard even if we have to run off in the dark of night. Let these Serish bastards sink my ship if they think I'll stay longer than that.” Kay said the last part loud enough for the crew to take notice, and then hissed like a cat and climbed overboard into the waiting row boat.
Nine
The next morning Grace woke to find Katherine standing at the bow of the Dawn, looking over the clear water. Grace came up to stand beside her.
“I look forward to seeing my Nicholas again,” the duchess said with a sigh. Her eyes didn’t leave the calm surface of the water.
“I'm sure he feels the same.” Grace leaned against the ship’s railing and watched Katherine closely.
Katherine finally turned her eyes from the sea to take in Grace, who was dressed in some of Kay's spare clothes. The pirate was taller and bigger in the hips and chest so the shirt and pants had to be secured with a length of rope, but Grace had also been outfitted with one of Kay's swords, so she felt more comfortable than she had in a long time. There was something about having a blade at her side that made her feel more confident, even though she knew she must look like an unwashed heathen to the duchess. However disheveled herself, Katherine still managed to carry herself as regally as ever.
“I do not mean to say that it is not a joy to see you as well, Grace. I owe you a great deal of thanks for your heroism in Arganis. I am sorry your home suffered,” Katherine said, offering a tight-lipped smile.
“My uncle Leon died,” Grace said. She omitted the part where it was due to Katherine and Drake's treason, but Leon had his hands in the pie, too.
“I know. Sir Leon was a fine man to have with us. It grieves me to think he thought there was no alternative.” Grace had never seen the duchess so sedated. Katherine had a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue, yet now she stood, subdued and sad.
“Do you suppose Frederick would have spared him torture and death?”
Katherine looked out over the water. “I could not say. There was a time I'd say yes, but I think the days of Frederick's mercy are over.” She paused. “Though you still live, as does Nicholas, so I cannot say.”
Grace turned to look out over the ocean as well. A warm, salty breeze blew by them. It rippled the water around the ship's hull, and a few rogue droplets flew with enough force to sprinkle her arms.
“Your Grace?”
“Yes?”
“Why have you risked it all? If you're caught, all of you will face a traitor's death.”
“You know that there are people starving all across Cesernan. Frederick knew people were starving, but he refused to pay for aid from our neighbors. Sera had a fruitful year and would have gladly sent aid, but the king didn't want to be indebted to a woman he viewed as an enemy. He's always been hateful toward her since he helped secure her throne.”
“I thought Elanor became queen after her father and brothers died in battle?” Grace cocked an eyebrow.
“She did, but her ascension to power was marred by relatives and neighboring kings who thought she should be removed. Stories would have you believe she was well-received by her people, but not everyone was thrilled. She was a warrior, but her survival was seen as a show of bad luck or deception on her part. How had her seasoned brothers been killed when one so green as she lived? Frederick was new to the throne when she was still fighting to keep Sera together, and he saw the potential for a powerful ally if he helped her secure the throne. He wanted to unite Sera and Cesernan.”
“So he offered a marriage proposal?”
Katherine nodded, her eyes never leaving the water. “You're much smarter than you seem, Grace.” The moment was brief, but Grace saw the old Katherine resurface in it. “Elanor agreed that if he helped her keep her crown, she would marry him and they would forge a powerful union. Cesernan poured a lot of money into the Serish civil war, and after two long years, Elanor finally sat unopposed on her rightful throne. But when the time came, she declared she couldn't marry because she claimed she'd received a sign that if she married a foreign king Sera would crumble. The Serish are fierce warriors, but too superstitious for their own good.”
“So she lied to avoid marriage with Frederick?”
“Maybe she did see a sign; I don't know. I do know that Cesernan was nearly bankrupt because of her civil war, and Frederick felt betrayed by the act. He couldn't launch an offensive then, or else he would risk his own civil war. People were already beginning to riot and protest our involvement in Sera's war. When word of the crop failure spread, Elanor was the first to offer aid, but it enraged Frederick and he denied any problems. He denied it so fervently, I think he began to believe his people weren't starving.”
Grace turned and leaned on her elbows on the ship's railing. “So he thinks now is a good time to exact his revenge?”
“He's being a fool, but he thinks he can get away with an assault if his people are distracted by their hunger and misery. He doesn't realize they're more
aware than ever. Drake went to Elanor because Sera is now a rich and prosperous place. He wanted to believe she would keep her end of the bargain. It is well known that Elanor now seeks to have her heir married, and Drake will be able to furnish a suitable wife.”
“He can?”
“Princess Elisabeth is unmarried.”
“He offered his own sister as payment?” Grace said, feeling uneasy at the turn of the conversation. “Will he pull her back when all is said and done?”
“Only if he wants full war with Sera will he insult the queen like that. It's possible Elanor won't accept Elisabeth anyway; I couldn't say. I know the queen isn't interested in war with Cesernan, but she won't roll over blindly if Robert of Escion brings his men onto Uyn Struet.”
Overhead, a few seagulls sounded off and flew toward the beach; their annoying sounds breaking the seriousness of the moment. Katherine looked up and laughed to see the white birds swooping about.
“I have coin for you,” the duchess said suddenly. “Or jewels or anything else you desire. There is no price too high for the service you did for us. If you asked it, Drake would return you to your former standing.”
Grace blew her breath out in a long stream. “I didn't do it for a reward. I did it because it was the right thing to do.”
“And so this is why they say the Death Dealer ever does anything. However, you still deserve something for your troubles. We are indebted to you.”
“I will think on this, Your Grace. For now, I wish for nothing other than to save my friends and return to Glenbard. There are people I love who need me.”
“Then name your price when you are ready, Grace.”
~*~*~
The sun bore down from straight overhead and almost everyone sought shelter in the shade or indoors. Grace went to the beach with a jug of water and a sword.
She worked through her sword exercises as though no time had passed since she last handled a blade. She wanted to get used to the feel of Kay's weapon since it was unlikely she'd ever get her own sword back, and she needed to learn this new one. Sweat poured down her back and face, dripping into her eyes. Still, she performed the sword dance, feeling the weapon as an extension of herself. She finished one pattern and fell into the sand from the heat.
A shadow fell over her as she sat watching the water.
“Here.” She looked over her shoulder and saw Drake offering her a jug of water.
“I didn't see you come up.” She didn't bother with bowing. She rearranged herself on the hot sand, burrowed her feet and hands until they hit the cool, wet sand, and let the coolness seep into her fingers and toes. She squinted up at the prince.
“I only just arrived, and I saw you from the docks. We haven't had much of a chance to speak. I know you spoke with Katherine this morning.”
“She let me in on the reason for Frederick's hate and your marriage plans, and then offered me a reward.”
“Do not think of the rewards as an insult, or that your services can be paid for. We wanted to thank you, is all. Though, if you were to lend your sword arm to our cause, we would be grateful.”
Grace shrugged noncommittedly. Drake sat beside her.
“I wish only to return to Glenbard; to gather my friends to safety.”
“You know that Jack Anders has been imprisoned. You will need help getting him to safety.”
Elanor told her Quinn would be going to the prison, but the way she said it, it didn’t seem as if Kay and Quinn had a choice. The way Drake spoke of Jack, he sounded the same. The unsaid words told her “if you want him, you have to support us.”
“I know,” she said quietly, letting an edge creep into her voice. “I suppose you will not give me a choice in the matter.”
“I will not let my father's prisoners rot in Redbank, so do not fear that I will keep him or your uncle or Henry of Egona locked away if you refuse to help. I just hope you will. I need people I can trust.”
“It is a lot to ask. I am not a freedom fighter.”
“Then what is the Death Dealer?” His voice was soft and sincere.
Grace had never been asked that before. She fought because not everyone could. She fought because people needed someone to do it. She fought to preserve balance and eradicate wickedness. However, she did not fight for or against kings and princes.
“A spirit of vengeance?” Drake prompted when the silence became uncomfortable.
She put her chin on her knees. Before her, the world stretched out to infinity with the sky reflected on the calm water. On and on it went. Her mind traveled out over the water, thinking about what the Dealer was now.
“No. I had no one to avenge,” she said at length. “Protection. I wanted to protect everyone and anyone who needed it.
“That is a goal worthy of the knights of old.”
“Perhaps, but the Dealer is no longer mine. Since others have decided to become vigilantes, the spirit of protection is lost amongst vanity and revenge.”
“Not everyone who declares himself Death Dealer is in it for vain and glory. My father received reports periodically of the Dealer dragging a murderer or brigand or what have you to justice before his lord’s court.”
A weight Grace carried around so long she had forgotten its existence lifted from her chest. “That is good to hear.”
Drake put an arm around her in a half hug. “Cesernan needs such inspirations. The people need someone to protect them. If you return and join our forces, you can do just that.”
Grace stood up quickly. She didn’t like that Drake was returning the conversation to his impending war with Frederick, but she was also upset because she knew he was right. She bent down and grabbed her sword.
“It is a lot to consider. You would do well to place this burden upon Marcus when we free the prisoners. He is the King of Thieves in Glenbard, and he sees the people of the city as his charges. If he fights for you, I will fight for you.”
“You would pledge your fealty to him before the crown prince?” Drake didn’t sound angry, but rather inquisitive. He cocked his head to the side, his brow furrowed slightly. He remained seated in the sand, awaiting her response.
“I swore a blood oath to help Marcus keep his power. Any oaths or bonds promised by the Hilren line were taken by knights and lords of my family, not me. My allegiance goes to the King of Thieves.”
“Then I would do well to convince this man we have need of him in Glenbard.” Drake smiled.
For a moment, Grace was transported back to the court in Ursana where a young, carefree prince smiled at her while they danced. She didn’t return the smile; instead she turned away and took up an offensive stance.
“Spar with me?” she asked.
She heard the prince moving behind her, and then he crossed into her field of vision with his sword drawn.
“On the count of three,” he said.
They touched blades in salute and the prince counted. At three they broke into a sword dance, kicking up sand and sweating.
Ten
Two days later, Jestin escorted Quinn to the prison where he was to rally people behind him. He would tell everyone the prince would grant pardons to anyone who took up arms against their guards. In a week's time Quinn was directed to start a riot, and a force made up of Serish troops disguised as brigands would land at the prison's dock to aid the rioters. They would pretend to be mercenaries so no one would know who was really helping Drake.
Grace stayed clear of any plotting made by the prince and his co-conspirators. Instead, she stayed with Kay and made their own plans. Donald, when Drake didn't require his services, joined them. Their own plotting chiefly involved what they would do upon their return to Glenbard.
“You know you don't have to act as a servant,” Kay said to Donald when he arrived just before sunset.
Tomorrow was the day of the planned riot and he had been absent all day, seeing to the prince.
Kay set up a table in her cabin for the three to sit and enjoy a light meal of cherries, nuts, and
a small bit of ham. Donald stripped off the sweat-soaked tunic that bore the prince’s sigil on it, answering, “It was the only way they would let me hear their plots. No one notices servants.” As Donald sat down across from Grace, Kay shot him a withering stare.
“Despite whatever rumors fly about Glenbard, I do not allow bare chests at my table. Put your livery back on or leave this table.”
Donald rolled his eyes but put his dirty tunic back on. Grace’s eyes watered at the stench coming off it. The musk clung to everything that was damp. Drake and his allies carried the same sweaty odor, yet somehow Kay managed to remain sweet-smelling despite sweating as much as anyone.
“You would rather he smell like a barnyard than have him be bare-chested?” Grace asked, wrinkling her nose.
Kay laughed and slapped her palm onto the table. “You’ve smelled the company I keep on this ship. Donald is a walk in a flowery field by comparison.” She passed around a bowl of pitted cherries.
“Are they ready for tomorrow?” Kay asked. She selected a sliver of ham and placed it on her plate.
“Yes. They’ll send for you tonight to make sure you’re ready,” Donald said. He took a bit of ham as well.
“Gods preserve me. I never should have meddled in the affairs of nobles.” Kay picked at her measly ham slice.
“You didn’t have to send Quinn to do their bidding,” Donald mumbled to himself.
“Speak up, boy. I don’t think I heard you.” Kay stopped playing with her food.
Grace had run afoul of Kay enough times to recognize the fury in her eyes. Donald was lucky she didn’t use her dagger to cut out his tongue, though if the captain dared to touch Donald, Grace was fully prepared to protect him.
“I said you didn’t have to send Quinn. You shouldn’t complain about something that is your own doing.”
Kay’s eyes narrowed and her fingers wrapped around the knife next to her plate, but she didn’t move to stab Donald. To Grace, it looked as though she fought hard to keep her temper in check. The captain closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths.
