FIONA

MCINTOSH

King’s Wrath

Valisar: Book Three

Copyright

HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF

www.voyagerbooks.com

Published by HarperVoyager

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 2010

Copyright © Fiona McIntosh 2010

Copyright design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2019 Cover photograph © Shutterstock.com

Fiona McIntosh asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

Ebook Edition SEPTEMBER 2010 ISBN: 9780007301928

Version 2019-07-29

We miss you Kipper,

our most loyal four-footed friend

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

PROLOGUE

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

EPILOGUE

GLOSSARY

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

BOOKS BY FIONA McINTOSH

About the Publisher

PROLOGUE

They fell swiftly, silently.

Any moment they would hit the ground and it would be over. She didn’t know why he had chosen to kill her; she was his only friend. How bizarre then that she had never felt safer, even though death surely beckoned. She knew the drug had dulled her senses but she thought she heard air rushing by in a strange shrieking. And she could feel Reg’s presence: the hardness of his body against hers, his long, strong arms holding her securely. Despite the disorientation, she felt wholly connected to him — down to the soft scratch of his beard against her skin.

Maybe this was right. They were lost souls anyway, neither of them able to get on easily with others. And her work at the hospital drew the wrong sort of interest; people had begun hailing her as having powers above and beyond genuine skill and talent. It was ridiculous, of course, but it was understandable given her uncanny knack for healing.

A healer. That’s how she viewed herself. She was a curer of ills; she’d never said it out loud but it seemed Reg alone had understood it … and understood her.

And because of that she couldn’t hate him for killing them both. Without him her life would be empty. Without his friendship, like a rock jutting out of the ocean that she could cling to, she would be adrift in a sea of meaningless comings and goings — even her work would feel empty, pointless.

Why was it taking so long for them to hit the ground? What was that screaming noise, as though the very air was being torn apart around them?

Had she just heard Reg say something? Maybe here we go, Evie? She felt him hold her tighter still, if that were possible, tucking her head into the warmth of his neck, shielding her face from the whistle and buffet of that wind they were rushing through.

And then suddenly they were tumbling on something solid. Her fall was cushioned though; first her legs, then her back and shoulders touched inanimate objects. She had no idea what but it didn’t hurt. How did that happen? She wanted to open her eyes but they were squeezed shut with fear. It sounded as though branches were snapping! Trees? … How could that be?

With no warning the breath was sucked out of her as Genevieve, the first princess of the Valisars to survive in centuries, blacked out.

And across the empire, various people felt the stirrings of a mighty magic they had never felt before.

1

Though the two men walked side by side they looked anything but companionable.

‘Did you feel it?’ the younger one asked.

Greven didn’t want to admit it but there was no point in hiding much from Piven these days. While his mind was essentially his own, his actions were not. It didn’t matter how hard he fought the bonding magic, it had him completely at its mercy. ‘I felt it,’ he said, gruff and disinterested.

‘And what do you think it is?’

‘Why are you concerning yourself with what I think? I just do as I’m told.’

‘Is this how it’s going to be from now on, Greven?’

‘What did you expect?’

Piven made a soft scolding sound, clicking his tongue. ‘And I can remember not so long ago your telling me just how much you loved me and wanted to protect me.’

‘I did. But my love was given freely then. And I had two hands then. And I didn’t know what you were then.’

‘And what am I? No, don’t, let me say it for you. A monster? Is that the right word?’ When Greven said nothing, Piven continued, ‘Because I really haven’t changed that much, you know. I still love you, Greven. I always have.’

‘You once loved your brother.’

‘Ah, but you haven’t deserted me as my brother has. He must pay for that.’

‘Your sister had no choice in her desertion.’

‘This is true,’ Piven admitted, slapping at some tall grasses at the side of the Tomlyn road. ‘She was helpless. But she is helpless no longer, and you know as well as I she will try to destroy me now. That disturbance we just felt was likely none other than her returning home.’

Greven was genuinely startled. ‘I felt the disturbance but hadn’t given it much thought … of course you’re right. Are you frightened?’

Piven threw him a wry glance. ‘No,’ he replied with a gentle scoff. ‘I have you.’ He pointed to where the main road forked. ‘We go left to the capital.’

‘Let’s go right, Piven. Let’s head south, keep you safe.’

‘I am safe. You are here.’

‘I think you are depending on me too much.’

‘But that’s the role of the aegis. To be entirely dependable. Come on,’ he said, increasing his speed. ‘And don’t claim fatigue; I know you don’t even feel it. That must be amazing. No need for food or water, rest or any form of sustenance.’

‘Does that not strike you as a living death?’

Piven smiled openly. ‘Not at all. It’s surely immortality. I envy you.’

‘Don’t. Just tell me why we are going to the capital, please.’

‘Ah yes,’ Piven said, a skip in his step as though he were enjoying their awkward journey. ‘I was saying that I am a loyalist and indeed a royalist. My family’s throne has been usurped. I intend that a Valisar will rule from that throne again.’

‘Then you should throw your support behind Leonel. Imagine what the pair of you could achieve together. The people would flock to the idea of the rightful heir trying to reclaim his throne.’

‘That is a nice thought, Greven, and I applaud your charming notion of fraternal harmony, but sadly Leo squandered his right to my support when he abandoned me to the tyrant.

I’m afraid I can’t forgive him. And besides, I’m not as sure as you of the people’s support. Life doesn’t seem to be so bad under Loethar. I can’t imagine Denovians will happily go to war again for a family they consider long dead.’

Once again Greven was struck by Piven’s maturity. The boy was nearing sixteen but carried himself like a man a decade older. It was deeply unnerving, particularly as just a few anni ago Piven had been so juvenile — charming, even — in his childishness.

‘In fact I would leave the whole ruling thing to Loethar,’ Piven continued expansively, ‘if he had not brutally stolen my father’s crown and were I not truly Valisar. No Valisar could let theft and murder of his own go unpunished.’

‘Well, what about your sister? Let her rule.’

Piven looked at Greven sideways. ‘Why would I? She is younger than me. We must do things properly, Greven,’ he admonished, as though explaining to a child. ‘If she wants to, she can fight me for the crown. Besides, we hail the Valisar kings down the ages. We have never bowed to a queen.’

‘There’s always a first time.’

‘She is a child, let’s not forget!’ Greven gave a grim gust of a laugh. Piven ignored it. ‘She will have no idea of how to rule at such a tender age. Frankly, I’m intrigued to see who has been protecting her and where she has been. Definitely not in the empire — if she has been, I would have sensed her long ago. No, Greven, this is why I think my sister is a threat: she is too young at ten to be making decisions for herself and so has been returned by someone who wishes to make use of her powers. We must ask ourselves who her the puppet master is.’

‘Her aegis perhaps?’ Greven offered, distaste flooding his mouth at the idea.

Piven shook his head. ‘No. Impossible. I doubt any aegis would freely offer himself. And if my sister — funny, I don’t even know her name — has been living a long way from here it’s unlikely that her aegis is aware of her or she of the aegis. I am guessing they are still to find each other.’

Greven silently acknowledged Piven’s grasp of situations. His cunning and agile mind had already thought through every scenario that could threaten him, it seemed. ‘Which makes her vulnerable.’

‘Exactly. I’m hoping to meet her long before she has that protection.’

‘So you plan to kill your siblings and the emperor?’

‘And all who support either. A Valisar will sit the Penraven throne again. I will make my father proud.’

‘Are you sure of that?’

Piven laughed. ‘Well, we’ll never know but I like to think so. My father was ruthless, Greven. You need to understand this fact. He adored his sons but he could still make some very hard decisions — he was able to leave Leo as a nemesis for Loethar and was comfortable leaving me to whatever fate dished up. He didn’t get much of a chance to love his daughter but he loved her enough to get her away so that she could offer up a challenge in the future. You see, everything for my father was about the Valisar name and duty. He was a good man, there’s no denying it, but in truth he was more ruthless than even Loethar.’

‘Whatever makes you say that?’ Greven asked, astonished.

‘Because if my father had been in Loethar’s shoes, he would not have hesitated to have killed me. He would not have taken a chance on letting any child associated with the throne live, whether it were an invalid or adopted or both. Loethar showed mercy — and now he will pay the price for his tenderness.’

‘Tenderness? You are jesting, aren’t you? The man has killed more Denovians than I care to think about.’

‘He killed his enemies, Greven; that’s very normal for a conquering ruler. But if you scrutinise what he did, he didn’t kill randomly. He killed opposing soldiers, and his only real targets were the royal families. He wanted no challengers. If people submitted, he did not punish or humiliate them. He didn’t even segregate them … unless they were Vested. If anything, Loethar has been a pioneer. He has not only unified the realms and their people into one cohesive empire but he has unified two diverse cultures and succeeded rather well at it. He’s actually far more impressive than my father.’

‘You shock me.’

‘Good. I’d hate to be predictable. Come on, I’m famished. I’m hoping there’s a village ahead because I’ve tired mightily of your stale bread and dry fruit.’

Greven paid no attention to his complaints. His mind had already begun to race as to how he could find and get a message to the Valisar girl.

A cold air bit at Evie’s cheeks. She heard birdsong, the rustle of leaves and the sounds of what was probably a stream, she realised. And then she heard Reg’s voice. ‘Take it slowly. Here, drink this,’ he urged gently.

Evie struggled to sit up, squinting open her eyes. ‘Reg?’

‘Hush, just drink.’

‘Is this more of your spiked —’

‘No. It is the cleanest, most beautiful water you’ve ever tasted. Trust me.’

She gave him a mirthless smile. ‘I’ve fallen for your trust me line before.’ She sipped and did indeed taste the sweetest of waters, chilled enough to make her gasp. ‘Are we alive?’

‘Very much so.’

She coughed once, blinked hard and forced herself to open her eyes fully. ‘And this isn’t a dream?’

He shook his head. ‘How do you feel?’

‘Confused. Bruised.’

‘I wasn’t trying to kill you.’

‘That’s not how it appeared.’

Reg sighed. Evie looked up to buy herself some time to think clearly. ‘What is this tree?’

He sighed again. ‘If you knew your trees,’ he said, with a tiny hint of admonishment in his tone, ‘you would probably know this as a wych elder. Here, they are known as wychwoods.’

‘Here?’ she said, looking around, noticing the stream she’d heard not very far away and mountains in the distance behind. ‘Where exactly is here, Reg?’

He sat down opposite her and she was surprised to note that the haunted expression her friend had always possessed — the one which seemed to speak so loudly to others that he should be left alone — was gone. In fact, Reg looked almost relaxed for the first time since she’d met him.

‘Here, Evie, is a place that was once known as the Denova Set. I have no idea if it still possesses that title. But if I’m not mistaken, I think this particular spot where we sit is at the base of a place called Lo’s Teeth, which is east of Gormond, west of Droste, south of Cremond, north of Dregon.’ His smile widened mischievously. ‘Does that help?’

She shook her head. ‘You’re making fun of me. Have you any idea how it feels to be me right now, wondering what the hell has just happened?’

‘I’m sorry,’ he said sheepishly. ‘I haven’t lied to you. The place I have described is where I believe we are. This is woodland known as Whirlow and that stream, which has a name that I can’t remember right now, runs into Lake Aran, to the south.’

Evie was astonished to see moisture gather in his eyes. ‘Reg, are those tears?’ she asked. ‘I’ve never even seen you get misty.’

He wiped his cheeks. ‘It is good to be home, Evie. Are you hurt?’

‘I don’t believe so. But I don’t understand why not. Mind you, that query pales by comparison to my lack of understanding as to how we’re both not splattered across the pavement outside a city hospital right now. We leapt from a dozen storeys high!’

He allowed her anger to pass, looking down, saying nothing.

Evie gave a sound like a growl. ‘I need an explanation, Reg, or I am going to explode or kill you … make a choice.’

He didn’t smile. ‘Will you stay still and silent while I tell you everything that I can?’

‘Why does that sound as though I should leap up now and run screaming from you?’

He nodded. ‘You’re right — what I have to tell you is frightening. But you need to hear it and you need to hear it all, or nothing will make sense to you. I need your promise that you will listen until I’ve told you the whole story.’

Evie licked her lips. ‘You’d better start at page one!’

‘Indeed. I suppose the beginning is my name, which is not Reg. My name is Corbel.’

‘Corbel?’ she repeated, feeling anger starting to suffuse her confusion. ‘Not at all Reg-like!’

‘My father was Regor de Vis. I borrowed from his name.’

‘How convenient for —’

‘Be quiet. My father probably didn’t survive the rage of a man called Loethar, who hailed himself the king of the barbarian horde. He came from the east.’ Evie saw the pain on his face as he pointed. ‘The barbarians were from the plains, an area known as the Likurian Steppes. Loethar was a tyrant who murdered all in his wake. From what I could gather before I left, he was killing all the royals of the Set — that was a group of independent realms with common interests — and I suspect he left my king to the last. My father was the king’s right-hand man.’

‘What does that make you?’ she said, working hard to keep all sarcasm from her tone, knowing she needed to humour her friend. She could tell that, delusion or not, this story was incredibly hard for him to speak of.

‘It makes me the son of a high ranking noble and the twin brother of Gavriel de Vis.’

‘Twin?’

He nodded. ‘I was forced to leave my family.’

‘By whom?’

‘The king.’

Definitely delusional, Evie thought. Yet in her heart she couldn’t really believe it. She had never known a more sane person than Reg. Should she humour him now, call him Corbel? ‘King?’

‘King Brennus, eighth of the Valisars. We are from Penraven, which is southwest of here.’

It was all getting too much to keep clear in her mind. ‘Reg … er, Corbel, if you prefer —’

‘I do.’

She took a steadying breath. ‘Corbel, why are you telling me this? What does King Bran or whatever his name is —’

Now his gaze flashed angrily at her. ‘His name is Brennus and I served him faithfully.’

She was stung by the force in his voice. He had never taken such a tone with her before. ‘All right,’ she began again, calmly. ‘I want to know why I am here. What does all of what you’ve begun to tell me, including King Brennus, have to do with me?’

‘Plenty,’ he said flatly, eyeing her with a hard gaze. ‘This is the land where you were born. Your real name is Genevieve. You are a Valisar. And King Brennus is your father.’

She rocked back against the tree, stunned. Then in the silence that followed, which Reg clearly wasn’t going to fill, she hauled herself upright. She felt momentarily dizzy but the drug was wearing off and the water had helped. ‘Reg, this is not going any further. In fact —’

‘Look around you, Evie. Does anything look familiar? Smell familiar? Taste or sound familiar?’

She could feel pinpricks of perspiration and the hairs standing up at the back of her neck. She’d been trying to shut out all of the foreignness of where she was, hoping that as the drug wore off, so would the sense of dislocation. And while she couldn’t understand how they had not been splattered across concrete, her logical mindtold her that there had to be a rational explanation, no matter what insanity had taken over her friend. But it was true, nothing felt familiar. This didn’t feel like scenery from a world she knew; the air was cleaner, fresher and the land around them looked virgin.

Ignoring her silence, he continued, ‘None of it is familiar because we are no longer where you think we are. We have travelled through time and lands.’

‘You’re beginning to scare me, like you scared all the other people I used to defend you against.’

‘I never needed your defence.’

‘But still I gave it, because I loved you.’

He flinched as though slapped. ‘Evie, you’re going to have to trust me. Nothing you see from here on is going to be familiar to you. Hospitals don’t exist here, neither does any of the technology you have taken for granted. I know you think I’m crazy but I am all you have. And I promise you that I am sane.’

‘Why am I here?’ she demanded, her confusion mounting to the stirrings of panic.

‘I just told you. You were born here. I had to return you to your home.’

‘Return me? So you’d already taken me from it once … is that what you mean?’

‘Yes,’ he said, shocking her. ‘I took you from this world when you were a newborn.’

‘Twenty years ago?’

He shrugged. ‘Yes, but perhaps time passes differently in the world I took you to. How old do I appear to you?’

It was her turn to shrug. ‘I don’t know. I suppose beneath all that terrible beard and unruly hair you are in your late thirties, early forties. Why? How old did you hope to be?’

He nodded sadly. ‘I was just eighteen when I was given the task of taking you to safety.’

She needed to keep him talking while her mind tried to make some sense of what was going on. ‘So my father — the king,’ she said carefully, nodding at him to show that she was trying, ‘asked you, a young noble, to rush me away to safety from this Loethar fellow who was killing all the royals.’

‘Thank you for paying attention.’

‘So that makes me a princess.’

‘Yes. That’s why we had to protect you.’

She couldn’t help herself. As much as it galled her to humour this ridiculous story any further, she was intrigued as to where he’d take the tale next. ‘Do I have siblings? Fellow young royals?’

‘Two brothers, one of whom is adopted.’

‘Ah, so they were whisked off to other places, were they?’

He shook his head. ‘No, only you. You had to be hidden. The Valisar dynasty has never had a surviving daughter. In centuries of rule, all girls — until you — have either died in the womb or soon after birth.’

She hadn’t expected that and felt a fresh wave of panic. He really looked like he believed all this. ‘So I’m the first surviving female heir of the Valisars and they had to get me away. Why? Isn’t a male heir more important, or do they do it differently in the Denova Set?’ Even she could hear the sarcasm biting and hated herself as she watched those words batter against someone she loved.

‘Your brother, Leonel, is the primary heir. But Leonel is not gifted in the way we suspected you could be … and I now know you are. We were right to take the precaution.’

‘Gifted?’ She felt goosebumps rise on her flesh. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘The talent that was beginning to show itself through your work as a healer will actually have been severely suppressed in the world I took you to. Here, it will presumably manifest itself far more dramatically. At least that’s what I’ve been led to believe.’

‘You’re losing me, Reg.’

‘Call me Corbel … please.’ She really did feel lost, and she assumed it showed because his expression softened. ‘Let me tell you everything I know and then you can make up your mind.’

‘About whether to stay, you mean?’

He shook his head. ‘There is no way back, Evie,’ he said gently. ‘Hear me out, hear it all and then decide whether you still trust me.’

Her mind was reeling but she didn’t feel as though she had much of a choice. Carefully, she returned to her position against the tree and nodded. ‘All right, Corbel de Vis, tell me everything you know.’

2

Kilt Faris chewed on a piece of meat. Jewd had insisted that he eat. It had been several hours since he’d faced his nemesis and though his men had left him alone he knew that patience wouldn’t last. The sickness had passed but he could still taste its acid remnants at the back of his throat. How would he ever explain his behaviour to his people … to Jewd?

From the corner of his eye he saw Jewd and Leo nod between themselves and approach, sitting on either side of him. He knew they wanted answers.

‘Where is he?’ Jewd asked Leo, breaking the tense silence.

‘I’ve asked Gavriel to get him away. He and the woman have taken Loethar higher, heading east. I’ll meet up with Gavriel shortly … when we understand more.’

Jewd nodded and they both turned to Kilt.

‘Are you going to explain it?’ Leo asked.

‘I didn’t know, if that’s what you’re asking,’ Kilt growled.

‘Didn’t know you were an aegis, or didn’t know who your Valisar was?’ Leo said firmly.

Kilt ground his teeth, flung the piece of meat down. ‘What was the point in admitting anything all these anni? It hasn’t been relevant, wasn’t relevant until now.’

‘Leo’s just finished telling me what an aegis is. What I want to know is, did you know you were one?’ Jewd demanded. His voicewas quiet but his tone told Kilt that he did not want anything but a truthful response.

‘Yes,’ he said through gritted teeth, avoiding Jewd’s eyes.

‘For how long?’ Jewd pressed. Kilt could hear the pain in his voice.

Kilt sighed. ‘Does it matter?’

‘To me it does, because you’ve been lying.’

Now he did look at Jewd and saw the anguish in his friend’s face, recalled promising the man just the day previous that he had no further secrets. ‘Jewd, please listen to me. I didn’t know that Loethar was even Valisar. How could I? None of us did. I learned about the powers of the ageis at the Academy. I sensed my powers were more than just a trifling magic around the time of my mother’s death, but essentially they felt like tricks for most of my life.’

‘I don’t believe persuading people to spill their private knowledge is a circus trick, Kilt,’ Jewd interrupted, his voice hard. ‘What you’ve admitted to being able to do is hardly trifling. It fills me with both awe and dread. And anger — because you chose to keep it from me.’

‘I told you, I have not used those powers until just days ago when I went in search of Lily.’

‘Well, at least you admit that she means that much to you!’ Leo cut in archly. ‘We will find her and we will get her back, Kilt, I promise you that. But right now we have to understand what we’re up against here. We are not your enemy, so stop treating us as if we are. Jewd and I need to share as much as possible with you or we can’t protect you.’

Kilt laughed sadly. ‘Protect me? You have no idea what you’re dealing with.’

Leo was not to be dissuaded by the disdain in his friend’s voice or the low threat that underpinned his words. ‘That’s the point I’m making. We don’t have any idea and so we wish to understand. I know what an aegis does, what he or she is born for. I’ll be honest, I’ve never felt mine present.’ He gave a hollowgrin. ‘But, my understanding is that as a Valisar I should feel that person and only that person who was born for me.’

Kilt sighed. ‘That’s right. The Valisars are only aware of their own aegis,’ he lied, grateful for Leo’s obviously weak powers. ‘However, an aegis who comes too close would be aware of all the Valisars, which is why it’s so dangerous.’ He felt bad for lying, but knew it was necessary. ‘The magic inside me recognises you even though I am not your aegis. Your presence sickens me, Leo.’

Leo looked at him, open-mouthed.

‘That came out the wrong way,’ Kilt backtracked. ‘What I’m trying to say is that what you saw me experience with Loethar is, to some degree, how I feel around you.’

‘I make you feel ill?’

Kilt nodded. ‘I have worked very, very hard to overcome it. But it is always there. Your father did the same to me. The first time I saw the king from a distance my magic responded to him; that’s how I knew what I was. That’s why I made my home up here in the highlands, so I could avoid the towns and city, live as an outlaw, keep to myself and only have people around me I could utterly trust.’

‘And that’s why you’ve been avoiding me.’ Kilt watched the young king throw a glance at Jewd.

‘I have kept my distance, Leo, but I have not avoided you. Apart from your dealing with Freath, I am proud of you and what you have become. I just find it hard to be around you for long periods.’

‘And it’s different with Loethar?’ Jewd asked.

Kilt gave a snort of despair. ‘Wildly different. I lose control. He nearly undid me back there,’ he admitted. ‘And he knew it. If he has another attempt at me, I won’t win. I was only able to resist this time because all of you came to my aid.’ Kilt shook his head with disgust. ‘Loethar’s a Valisar!’ he spat. ‘Incredible! He murdered his own brother.’

‘Half-brother,’ Leo corrected. ‘And he would take you to task over that. My father killed himself to prevent Loethar having the satisfaction.’

Kilt shrugged. ‘Half-brother, full brother. Did your father know they were related, do you think?’

Leo shook his head wearily. ‘I don’t know the answer to that. My heart says no, but Loethar seems to think my father was aware of him. My father was a man of secrets. It’s possible he could have known — that might explain why he went to such lengths to have the plan in place for me should Loethar overrun the Set.’

Kilt agreed. ‘I didn’t know Brennus in the way that many did but my instincts combined with what I’ve learned over the anni suggest that he was perfectly capable of having this information and acting upon it.’

‘Why didn’t he just send an army in and kill Loethar if he knew?’ Jewd wondered.

Leo shook his head. ‘That would not be his way. My father was not a coward but confronting Loethar on his territory, with nowhere for an army to take him by surprise, no familiarity of the lay of the land or helpful knowledge of what the enemy was capable of, would have definitely made him reluctant to take that approach. And perhaps he wasn’t completely sure of Loethar’s birthright, so he waited for Loethar to come to him.’

‘Very costly,’ Jewd remarked.

‘In hindsight, yes. Too costly,’ Leo admitted. He frowned and turned back to Kilt. ‘So in Loethar’s presence you will always feel nauseous and without control?’

‘In his presence I will be at his mercy. I will be made well again, of course, but only when he’s bonded me.’

Leo nodded and looked at Jewd, who wore a quizzical expression. ‘The Valisar must consume part of his aegis to trammel him.’

‘Consume? As in eat?’ Jewd qualified, a look of dismay on his face.

Kilt nodded at the same time as Leo and Jewd looked away, disgusted, then stood. ‘Well, that’s going to happen only over my dead body, Kilt.’

Kilt smiled sadly. ‘I don’t deserve you, Jewd.’

‘No, you don’t,’ the big man replied. ‘You don’t deserve Leo or Lily or any of the people who support you.’

Kilt nodded in acknowledgment. ‘There’s more, and you might as well know it, now that I’m being forced to bare my soul,’ he said. As his companions threw a worried glance at each other, he continued, ‘I don’t know what it is but I’ve felt a disturbance.’

‘Disturbance?’ they asked together.

Kilt considered how best to explain himself. ‘Not so long ago I suffered a sort of dizzy spell. I thought it was still part of the same response to Loethar but I’ve been thinking about it and it was not. I have no doubt now. It had a different signature … it felt different. I don’t really know how to describe it and while this might sound fanciful, the only way I can pin it down is to say that it felt very clean … a really pure sort of magic.’

‘Loethar’s is tainted, you mean?’ Jewd tried.

Kilt shook his head. ‘No, not exactly. Loethar and Leo possess no magic of their own. Neither of them is empowered in the way that say I am or any Vested is. But both are Valisar and a Valisar can respond to the magic of the aegis. I should also tell you, Leo, that your Valisar magic is very weak. I’m grateful for that or I would never have been able to live around you.’

‘Trust me to be the weak link in the family,’ Leo replied quietly but savagely. ‘I suppose Loethar is strong?’

Kilt nodded.

‘Go on,’ Leo said, his mouth twisted in private disgust. ‘What about this new feeling you’ve experienced? Who or what is it?’

‘I don’t know. I can only use the word pure because it feels like it has its own source, its own reason. But beyond that I don’t understand it.’

Each of them paused to consider this new revelation but it was Leo who broke the silence. ‘Well,’ he said, straightening, ‘we can’t worry ourselves with what we don’t know, don’t understand yet. We have enough to frighten us right now. We need to make adecision about Loethar and we have to consider the next step for Lily. Whatever else is hurtling at us can wait as far as I’m concerned.’

Jewd nodded. ‘I agree. Let’s make a decision about Loethar. Do we kill him? I’ll oblige if no one else has the stomach for it.’

‘No,’ Kilt said. ‘His death achieves little right now. We need to know more about why he’s here. Why he’s alone. What his intentions are.’

‘To bond you, clearly,’ Leo said.

‘No, that’s not right. He had no idea that his aegis was roaming the north. And if I wasn’t the attraction the most obvious conclusion is you,’ Kilt said, stabbing a finger towards Leo. ‘Except he didn’t even know you were alive! He wouldn’t have even recognised you or known you were the missing Valisar if you’d introduced yourself under a guise. So he’s here for different reasons. And he certainly didn’t arrive here willingly. Why did he travel north? Why alone? We need to learn as much as we can to help Leo’s chances.’

‘All right, but we can’t let him near you,’ Jewd argued.

‘We don’t have to. I will speak with him,’ Leo said, his tone brooking no argument. ‘It is my place, anyway, to do so. His challenge is essentially at me.’

Jewd frowned. ‘If he’s the rightful heir, where does that leave you, Leo?’

‘Leo is heir,’ Kilt growled. ‘His father was king. He is next in line.’ He looked at Leo. ‘The fact that your grandfather sowed wild seeds on the plains is not anyone’s concern. Loethar is a bastard heir of mixed blood. Brennus married a royal; you are a blueblood. That gives you rank.’

Leo didn’t look convinced. ‘I suspect we won’t get an opportunity to argue it in front of the nobles. Loethar took the crown; he has worn it for over a decade now and let’s be very frank, his people are now comfortable with who is ruling. The fact that he is Valisar only improves his position, if I’m honest.’

It was Kilt’s turn to share a worried glance with Jewd. ‘Are you relinquishing your claim, Leo?’

‘Absolutely not! I’m simply stating that we could argue the rights and wrongs of it until we’re blue in the face. The fact is he wears the crown. Me arguing my lineage makes little difference. I must take the crown back … by killing him if necessary. And if that whore Davarigon giant hadn’t got in my way, I might have achieved that and this conversation would be academic.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I’m going to talk to Gavriel. I’ve got a decade’s worth of catching up to do with him.’

‘Don’t let Loethar corner you into doing anything hot-headed,’ Jewd warned. ‘You are a king. Don’t forget that. It’s your calm and your inability to be taunted that will most frustrate him.’

‘You made a fool of him once,’ Kilt agreed, ‘hiding under his nose and then escaping so audaciously. Continue to make a fool of him by not falling prey to his baiting. That’s how you’ll keep the upper hand.’

Leo grinned. ‘Thanks.’

After he’d left, the two men remained quiet for a while. Finally Jewd sighed. ‘Were you planning to tell me or were you just going to give me the slip?’

Kilt looked up at his friend. ‘Why do you think I’d leave?’ he asked, dismayed.

Jewd shook his head, gave a brief rueful smile. ‘I’ve told you before, I’m big, not stupid. Did you think I couldn’t work it out for myself?’

Kilt looked down again. ‘Jewd, I don’t know what to think but I know this: you are the best friend a man could have.’

‘I’m glad you realise that.’

‘I would have discussed it with you.’

‘Look at me when you say that. I have to know I can trust you, Kilt, or as I’ve told you previously, it might be easier to leave you to it.’

‘That’s not what I want.’

‘Then I demand your honesty.’

Kilt stood up, feeling stronger again despite his aching muscles. He sighed. ‘I guess I don’t even need to ask if you’ve noticed anything about Leo.’

‘I’ve noticed. Leo is pushing for independence. He won’t live for very much longer under your thumb.’

Kilt nodded. ‘That’s as it should be. He’s been groomed to rule since he was on his mother’s teat.’

‘He’s still capable of poor decisions.’

‘Aren’t we all?’

Jewd fixed Kilt with a firm stare, before he spoke very quietly. ‘But I suspect his next will be his least wise.’

Kilt swallowed. ‘You’re thinking what I’m thinking. Then I’ve got to go, get as far away from the Valisars as possible.’

‘Then we go together.’

‘Jewd —’

‘We go together, Kilt. Look at the state of you. If Leo comes after you — and he will, we both agree on that — who is going to protect you?’

‘Maybe it’s best if I just submit and —’

Jewd had grabbed Kilt by his shirtfront before Kilt could even finish the thought. ‘No one is eating you, is that clear? No one is going to have you under his control! Leo has de Vis back. De Vis has always seen Leo as king and treated him as such.We can leave the two of them together and go north into Barronel via the mountains. We’ll cross into Cremond perhaps; no one’s going to be looking for you there. Leo will assume you’ll head south in search of Lily. And we’ll get to her, Kilt, but we have to ensure they lose your scent first and you have to heal too. For now we both agree Lily is safe. For now we both agree your safety is paramount.’

Kilt nodded. ‘Take the money we’ve hidden and give it to the men. Tell them they should scatter. And grab the medicine. We need little else.’

3

The man struggled but, fuelled by anger, got his words out. ‘I’m going to kill you for this, de Vis.’

‘Yes, well, I’ll look forward to your trying. Gives me the perfect excuse of self-defence to finish you off once and for all,’ Gavriel replied disdainfully.

‘Be quiet, Loethar!’ Elka ordered. ‘Conserve your strength.’

‘Sage advice. I’ll need it to kill your lover and his friend.’

‘He’s not my lover and I suspect his friend is no friend of mine after I got in his way,’ she said, hefting him into a better position on her back.

‘Let me down, for Gar’s sake!’ Loethar complained. ‘I’m not an invalid, simply injured.’

‘Do it, Elka,’ Gavriel said.

Elka had just about had it with both of them. She lowered Loethar, who held his groans but grimaced in pain.

‘Ribs are the worst, aren’t they?’ he said, almost amused.

‘How’s your neck?’ Elka asked.

‘I’ll survive. And the burn will be a timely reminder for when I slit my half-brother’s throat.’

‘If I give you the chance,’ Gavriel said.

Loethar laughed. ‘Where is your great king, de Vis? Is he too frightened to face me?’

‘As a matter of fact you’ll likely see him sooner than youthink. Elka, can I leave you with him? I have to meet with Leo.’ At her nod he disappeared into the woods without so much as a backward glance.

Elka turned to regard Loethar. ‘He’s perfectly capable of killing you, you know. I would counsel you to stop the taunting.’

‘And spoil my sport?’

‘Well, you’ve been warned.’ He gave her look like a child, mischief in his eyes, and she couldn’t help asking, ‘You’re really Valisar?’

He nodded. ‘Though what good it does me I don’t know.’

‘That sounds like regret,’ she commented, settling nearby.

‘In a way,’ he admitted. ‘But I don’t really know in what respect. I don’t regret the empire. I think unifying the realms has been positive for all in the Set; I think the mix of cultures, though difficult at first, has resulted in prosperity. In the wider population people seem relatively content. So I suppose it boils down to personal regret.’

‘All the death perhaps?’

‘Probably. Many died who didn’t have to.’

‘None of them Valisar, of course.’

‘Other than the queen. I would have preferred that she had lived. I would have given her a good life wherever she chose to live out her days. But the heirs had to die. I failed there,’ he admitted with a humourless grin. ‘Leo has been the most slippery of enemies.’

‘He’s had a lot of support from the right people, it appears.’

Loethar nodded. ‘How true. The would-be-king in exile is surrounded by loyalty, while I, as ruler, am surrounded by treachery. Freath, my close aide, someone I considered a friend even though he was my servant, betrayed me all along.’ He gave a low, savage laugh. ‘His loyalties were always with the Valisars. I admire his extraordinary courage to live in the lion’s den on their behalf. Leonel is fortunate.’

‘I doubt he sees it that way. His family is dead, his friends are missing, his throne has been usurped.’

‘You should have let him kill me.’

‘I believe in justice, not revenge.’

‘Then you are in the minority, Elka, though I respect that more than you can imagine.’

‘Fairness and justice are what make a people into a society. They’re the cornerstone of a strong civilisation.’

‘Indeed. But fairness and justice rarely go hand in hand. For instance, Leo feels it is fair that he should be king and yet it is not just, for I am the true heir. Kilt Faris considers it fair to do everything he can to elude me and yet his very birthright is to be my aegis. And isn’t it just that I exercise that right? You see? Fairness and justice are rarely comfortable bed companions.’

She smiled. ‘I think you are the slippery Valisar, Loethar.’

Gavriel didn’t have to wait too long; Leo came striding through the forest soon enough, walking like a man comfortable in his surrounds. Gavriel marvelled at the figure approaching. He’d left Leo as little more than a youth, but now he walked tall and strong, with a proud chin. His hair had darkened but he still resembled his beautiful mother, while having the more powerful build of his father. Gavriel felt a spike of pride accompany the rush of relief that Leo had survived.

He stepped out from his hiding place suddenly, deliberately, but Leo didn’t break stride, not at all unnerved, and Gavriel was reminded that his old friend had been living as an outlaw for more than a decade. Leo would know forest life better than most.

Leo grabbed Gavriel into a bear-hug, slapping him on the back. ‘I can’t tell you how good it feels to see you alive,’ he remarked, ‘although my fist twitches to punch you for leaving as you did.’

Gavriel grinned. ‘I should punch myself.’

‘Where is he?’

‘Safe with Elka.’

‘Tied up?’

‘No need. He’s going nowhere with her around.’

‘I don’t feel I need to apologise regarding Elka, Gav; she should never have challenged me. But at the same time any friend of yours is certainly someone I feel obliged to respect.’

‘I’m sure she hasn’t given it another thought.’ Leo looked as though he wanted to say more but Gavriel was glad when the young king chose to hold his tongue. That was a relief; he didn’t want to have to defend Elka against the king … although he would, of course. ‘As much as I want to sit down and learn about your life, time is our enemy. How’s Faris?’

‘Brighter. The sickening has passed but, like Loethar, he’s quite beaten up.’

‘Leo, we both have good reason to hate Loethar. That grudge has to be kept separate from how we feel about his stealing the Valisar throne.’ Leo stared at him, but said nothing, so Gavriel pressed on. ‘My point is I hate him too. It wouldn’t take much for my heart to get in the way of my head and order my hand to take up my sword and run him through.’

‘So what’s stopping you?’

‘My instinct is stopping me.’

‘Instinct, or Elka?’

Gavriel didn’t rise to the bait. He fixed Leo with a hard stare, glad that he was still taller. ‘Elka has no loyalty to either you or Loethar.’

‘Is that so?’

‘Why would it be otherwise? She owes neither of you anything. Her loyalty is to me. I’m sure I don’t deserve it most of the time but that’s how it is and her commitment to me means that she understands the need to protect you at all costs.’

‘Protect me? Why didn’t she let me kill my enemy, then?’

‘Because murdering him in that manner wouldn’t have solved anything. Her actions have given you the opportunity to consider your position and make an informed decision. If killing him is your decision, you’ll make it in a mood of calm, not in a bloodrage. Frankly, I think you would have regretted it if you had struck him dead then. This way you get a chance to question him.’

‘That’s what Kilt thinks.’

‘Then listen to him. We’re all on your side, Leo. Come, we can speak alone later but first talk to him, ask him your questions.’

Reluctantly, Leo followed. They found Loethar talking quietly with Elka as though they were old friends. Gavriel bristled at their familiarity but disguised it with his introduction.

‘Here we are, Leo, the great and now very humbled and hurt man who calls himself emperor simply by sitting a false throne.’

Loethar looked up and laughed. ‘You amuse me, de Vis. Greetings, nephew; I was just telling Elka here how fortunate you are to have such loyalty still burning so fiercely for you.’

‘From what I hear you can’t claim the same,’ Leo said, regarding him as though tasting something bad.

‘You are right. I am surrounded by treachery at every turn. Even my newborn daughter turned away from her father and died on me.’

‘A girl?’ Leo exclaimed.

Loethar gave him a humourless grin. ‘Yes, and like all Valisar daughters she barely survived her birth.’

‘Not all,’ Leo said. He grinned humourlessly at Loethar’s puzzled expression and squatted next to the barbarian. ‘You clearly haven’t spent much time around the family or you’d know we’re famed for our secrets.’

‘What are you talking about?’ Loethar asked.

‘What do you know about the Valisar Legacy?’ Leo responded.

Loethar tried to shrug and grimaced in pain. ‘I’ve learned plenty over the anni with the family library finally at my disposal,’ he said. Gavriel noticed how he couldn’t hide his feelings; his expression clearly betrayed the anger he was feeling. ‘I know that there is the legacy of the aegis magic and the near enough immortal protection it offers. I know about the so-called Enchantment that says that the females born of the line possess the greatest of all powers … to coerce at will.’

‘Why is that so different from what some Vested can do?’ Gavriel asked.

Leo turned to him. ‘The magic of the Vested can be impressive, but even so, any sort of coercement of theirs is of a low form and can probably only be sustained for short periods. The magic of the Valisars is said to be much more powerful, or so my father and grandfather told me.’

‘And I’m sure you are looking to gain some of that power for yourself,’ Loethar said and Gavriel noticed a look pass between uncle and nephew that spoke of a respect for each other’s cunning. ‘Anyway,’ Loethar continued, ‘my heir is dead, my mother has been murdered, my wife has been banished, my brother turned traitor, my closest friend has been killed. All in all, life is hardly an orchard.’

‘Aludane save us! And I thought your life was complicated,’ Elka remarked, glancing at Gavriel.

He smirked at her as she turned back to Loethar. ‘I’m sorry to hear of your losses. No one should lose a mother and a daughter in such a short time.’

‘I’m not sorry,’ Leo said coldly. ‘The more of his kin that is gone, the better. Besides, I’m sure he and his ill-bred horde killed whole families when they came rampaging into the Set.’

‘You are my kin, Leo,’ Loethar said, with an equally wintry tone. ‘And you’re right. I deserve no pity from anyone here.’

‘Nor will you get it,’ Gavriel remarked.

Loethar shrugged, clearly ignoring the pain it prompted this time.

Elka looked from Loethar to Gavriel. ‘Why don’t you just kill him and be done?’ she said, so sarcastically that Gavriel flinched inside. ‘I hardly recognise you when you act this way.’

‘We’re here to talk,’ Gavriel said to Loethar, covering his dismay at Elka’s attack. ‘Why did you come north?’

Loethar sighed. ‘It’s complicated. In short, the death of my child and my belief that my wife murdered my mother conspired to make me want to get away from the castle. In order to do so I brought our mother’s ashes to my half-brother, whom I suspected was considering rising up against me. Now I know that those suspicions were right.’

‘So your trip to the north was all about delivering your mother’s ashes to Stracker?’ Gavriel asked.

‘No, that was my excuse I gave myself. My real reason for heading north was to find out who killed Freath and why,’ Loethar explained.

‘I can put you out of your misery on that question,’ Leo said.

Gavriel looked at him with surprise. ‘You know?’

‘Yes, I know. I killed him.’

‘You?‘ Loethar hissed. ‘But he was working for you!’

‘He killed my mother,’ Leo said. ‘I swore a blood oath that I would kill him, so I did, once he had told us everything he knew.’

Loethar let out a growl of frustration. ‘Freath was a traitor in my life for ten anni. All of those clever conversations, steering me onto a particular path while he went down the other.’ He shook his head. Then he smiled. ‘And still I admire him. And still I like him.’ He smirked. ‘I had convinced myself he was the most honest person in my life even when he was lying every minute. Incredible.’

‘I can’t believe it,’ Gavriel said. ‘He protected us?’

Leo nodded. ‘My father asked him to pretend to be a turncoat should the time arrive. My mother asked him to help her to commit suicide, make it look as though he’d thrown her from the window in order to protect his cover while releasing her from her imprisonment and grief. Her death at his hands meant the Valisars could still have a loyalist in the enemy midst.’ Again he threw a bitter glance Loethar’s way. ‘But being involved in my mother’s death couldn’t be forgiven. I would have killed him anyway for that alone.’

‘Demonstrating your immaturity and lack of capacity to rule wisely,’ Loethar accused, bitterness combining with a cold, controlled fury in his soft voice. ‘I can’t begin to tell you what a tightrope Freath must have walked each day of his life on your behalf. He ingratiated himself so deeply into my life that I actually mourned him more than my own mother, my own child! And look how you rewarded him.’ He choked back what sounded like a sigh of deep regret.

‘I wish that were the truth,’ Leo replied, equally cold. ‘It’s my impression that Freath admired you more than you can know. He was torn, I think. His loyalties were to my father and myself, also to Piven. But he had an abiding respect for you … more’s the pity.’

‘I thank you for sharing that,’ Loethar said quietly.

Gavriel’s head was in turmoil. Freath, never a traitor! ‘Well, now you have the answer you came looking for. I think we should just throw you back at your dog of a brother. You can kill each other.’

Loethar smirked. ‘If you really thought that, you wouldn’t have interfered in the forest.’

‘It wasn’t my idea, believe me,’ Gavriel growled.

Gone was the sorrow in Loethar’s eyes. Suddenly he was all hardness and ruthless control again. ‘Then let’s get this done, shall we? My sympathies are with Elka. Like her, I tire of your empty threats. If you mean to kill me, do it now and be done with it. Leo, here’s your chance to be the brave Valisar. Run through the pretender — if you truly believe I am just that.’

Gavriel saw Leo stiffen and knew he had to keep his own anger in check as an example to the young king. ‘Leo, a word,’ he said, gritting his teeth. Mercifully, Leo stood, turning his back on Loethar. Gavriel glanced at Elka. ‘Shut him up,’ he said, loading his voice with disdain. Then he followed Leo to a quiet spot far from where they could be seen, let alone heard.

‘Don’t say it,’ Leo warned.

‘As your friend, as your Legate, my king, I must say it.’

Leo scowled but remained quiet.

‘It would be a mistake to kill him. This wedge now driven between him and Stracker is playing precisely into your favour.’

‘How so?’

‘My father taught us that there is always more than one way to regard a situation, more than one way to treat an enemy. Loethar is our prisoner. We might be able to make use of him. Let’s at least consider it. Think on it. Killing him solves nothing. Using him might give us options.’

Leo nodded, considering the advice. He paced around, looking up into an overcast sky, and Gavriel was again struck that such a young man had such a weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

‘Gavriel, I know you haven’t been around the region for a decade. Me too, I’ve lived on the fringe of life. But I don’t think either of us will ever forget his cunning or just how wily he is.’

‘I accept that,’ Gavriel replied, frowning. ‘What’s your point?’

‘My point is that he will find a way to turn on me. If I give him so much as a finger width of movement, he’ll make it work for him. He is far cleverer than most give him credit for.’

‘It seems Freath had his measure,’ Gavriel murmured. ‘Damn it, Leo, was it necessary to kill him?’

‘Freath. I will not be allowed to forget that decision by anyone, will I?’ Gavriel shrugged and Leo shook his head. ‘You are not the first to criticise. Kilt has never forgiven me my rash fury of that day. But I defy you to have faced Freath in the same ignorant situation.’

Gavriel glared angrily at the king. ‘Leo, I’ve had to save the life of the man who brutally slaughtered my defenceless father before me. Do you forget how my father died? His head hacked from top to shoulder, his horse dragging him behind it while Loethar howled his glee? I’ve had to keep that monster company, keep him protected. I did it for you alone. Don’t talk to me about losing control.’

Leo had the grace to look admonished. ‘Forgive me. I haven’t forgotten what you’ve been through on my behalf. But I am perhaps at the mercy of the brutal images of my boyhood. I still have nightmares of my baby brother dragging around the gore from our freshly decapitated father as my mother watched on in shocked horror.’

Gavriel held both hands up in defence. ‘Look, this is all history and we can’t re-make it. Our parents are dead, may Gar rest their souls. And Freath is gone. There is no point in our rehashing the rights and wrongs of it. But killing Loethar doesn’t solve the problem at hand. Do you agree that alongside his half-brother he is the lesser of the two evils?’ Leo gave him a pained look. ‘I know, Leo, I know. They are both killers. But Loethar has a modicum of control. He seems to kill only with specific reason. In fact, everything he does, everything he says is considered. I’m not condoning his usurping of the throne or the manner in which it was done, I’m simply saying that Stracker has no control, no subtlety … he has no conscience! If you kill Loethar, Stracker will take easy command of the throne and army. Imagine what will happen then.’

Leo walked away and Gavriel gave him some time to let his points sink in. At last Leo turned back, a sly look on his face. ‘We will not kill him,’ he said. ‘But I’m not sure you’ll get him to agree not to kill me. Face it, Gav, he’s been hunting me for too many anni. The first chance he gets — all we have to do is slip up once — and he’ll take that chance and slide a blade into me, or choke me, or poison me.’

‘I agree that he cannot be trusted. But it’s my task to protect you. That’s my problem, not yours.’

Leo smiled and Gavriel didn’t like the cunning in his face. ‘It doesn’t need to be your problem. I am Valisar, so I too have an aegis.’

Gavriel took a breath, frowning. ‘All right, but where does one start hunting down —’

‘There is no need to hunt down mine, not if one I can take is right before us.’

Gavriel stared at Leo uncomprehendingly and then understanding hit him like a thunder crack. ‘You wouldn’t!’

‘Why not?’

‘Faris is … ’

‘An aegis?’

‘I was going to say your friend. A loyal friend.’

‘Yes, and now he can demonstrate the ultimate form of that loyalty; he can become my champion. Gav, don’t you see, he can offer me the most superior form of protection against Loethar, against anyone!’ Gavriel heard glee in his king’s voice. ‘My enemies can try anything they like against me and it will have no effect. I would only be able to die for natural reasons.’ Leo’s eyes were sparkling.

‘You could do that? You can see yourself claiming him? Maiming him?’

‘Oh come on, Gav, don’t be squeamish! We’re talking about my life now. Kilt wouldn’t have to be hurt that badly.’

‘And you’d eat part of him?’

Leo bristled with anger. ‘I will do whatever I have to in order to reclaim my throne.’ He pulled open his shirt. ‘Remember this? We made this scar together. And we took an oath together. It wasn’t the promise of a child. That was the promise of a king. I have been in exile for most of my life. Need I remind you how many lives were given to keep mine safe for this very reason, your own father’s included?’

‘I don’t need reminding,’ Gavriel replied sharply.

‘Then don’t fight me on this. It is the right solution.’

‘It’s the right solution if Kilt agrees but I can’t imagine he will.’

‘He gave his word to my father that he would protect me. Now this is the only way that Kilt can keep that promise.’

‘He hasn’t done a bad job so far.’

Leo opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again, looking frustrated. He appeared to take a steadying breath. His voice was hard when he spoke again. ‘I’m going to trammel him, Gav, and I’ll probably need your help.’

‘I’m not sure I’d —’

‘I’m not asking. I’m telling you that I require your help.’

It was Gavriel’s turn to fall silent. As he regarded Leo he realised his father must have been put into an identically difficult position time and again with Brennus. And Regor de Vis had never failed his king. He nodded. ‘As you wish, your majesty.’

‘Good. Jewd will be the problem rather than Kilt. You may need to disable him, but he is not to be harmed permanently.’

Gavriel didn’t reply.

‘We may also need Elka’s help.’

‘That will be her decision.’

‘Well, she’s hardly going to do it for me, Gav. I’m hoping that you will persuade her.’

‘I can try, but I’ll tell you now she answers to no one.’

Leo gave him a glance and Gavriel wasn’t sure whether to read pity or disdain in it. Either way, it was condescending and he was shocked at how hurt he felt.

‘When do you want to do this?’ he demanded, making sure his voice sounded anything but servile.

‘Immediately. Loethar must not get wind of what we’re planning. We will have to tie him up or drug him.’

‘I saw the look he gave you, Leo. I think you’re underestimating Loethar if you don’t already think his mind has taken him there.’

And Gavriel knew he was right when Leo turned away, unable to meet his gaze.

4

The youngster caught up. ‘You walk fast.’

‘Sorry,’ the man said, his voice slightly hoarse.

‘How do you feel?’

‘Powerful,’ he replied and they both laughed.

‘I would consider it far more powerful to be a bird.’

‘More freedom perhaps, but not more power. Look how I can swing my arms, notice my long stride, and listen to this.’ He began to sing.

Roddy laughed delightedly and the newly formed man called Ravan stopped singing and swung the boy around in a moment of unfettered pleasure. ‘I like your laugh, Roddy.’

‘I like your voice,’ the boy replied as he was set back down.

‘Anything’s better than that dreadful caw I used to have.’

‘You were a most handsome bird.’

‘Now I’m an even more handsome man.’

‘That you are. Can your long stride get us all the way to where we need to be?’

‘Easily. It’s not so far.’

‘Further on foot than as the crow flies, though,’ Roddy said and they both chuckled. ‘What do you think our real task is?’

Ravan had been thinking about this ever since he had seen Sergius speaking to him from the flames. ‘Our role is to help the princess.’

‘But how?’

‘I don’t know yet, Roddy. We have both been given powers and we have to work out not only what but how to use them.’

‘How will we know her?’

‘I don’t know the answer to that. But we have to push on and hope we’ll discover all that we need to know.’

‘Do you remember what Sergius said when he was dying?’

Ravan smiled. ‘He spoke about several things.’

‘The bit about telling people about Piven.’

Ravan paused again, frowning as he thought back over the conversation with the dying Sergius. ‘He did say that, you’re right. That’s very sharp of you, Roddy. I had overlooked it.’

‘Well, I was just wondering who we had to tell and where they may be.’

‘I think I know exactly who he meant.’

‘You do?’

‘I suspect he meant anyone who is loyal to the Valisars.’

‘Who might that be?’

‘That would be Leonel and his supporters.’

‘The prince? But they say he died in the wars.’

Ravan let Roddy down off his broad shoulders and squatted so that his friend did not have to stare up at him. ‘Leonel did not die in the wars. He survived, escaped Loethar’s clutches, and fled into the forests north of here. He has grown up, tall and strong with a fierce desire to be king in more than name.’

Roddy’s eyes shone. ‘Really?’

Ravan nodded. ‘I think we need to find him and let him know that his sister returns and that his brother is now his enemy.’

‘Will he believe us?’

‘He has to. We must make sure he does.’

‘How long will it take us to reach the forest?’

Ravan frowned. ‘Too long. We’re pretty far west still, so we need to swing east now if we want to make it into the Davarigon region of Droste.’

Roddy smiled. ‘Then we’d better run!’

‘We could never keep pace with each other. My legs are too long.’

The boy regarded him seriously. ‘When you were changing, just before the beautiful serpent woman arrived, I thought I saw something.’

‘Oh yes, what was that?’

Roddy bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut as he made himself remember. ‘It was like a dream. I could see you running.’

‘Running, eh? Perhaps because I was about to be given the legs of a man.’

‘No, it was as though I was being shown something. I see things sometimes. I keep them to myself because they can be bad. There was a time when I had a vision of the crops failing. Another time I saw that the Robbun family’s only son would die of the shaking fever — and that was a whole anni before, when he was healthy.’

‘I see. Those aren’t nice visions to have.’

Roddy nodded. ‘My mother told me to keep them to myself. So when I saw the fire in my mind — the one that I told you about, that brought me here?’ Ravan nodded. ‘Well, I didn’t tell anyone that it would happen but every day I waited for it. And one day it came and I was ready.’ He pulled a rueful face. ‘I didn’t know I’d have to try and save Plod, of course.’ At Ravan’s frown, Roddy grinned. ‘My cat.’

‘Ah. Brave.’

‘Not really. He was a good friend to me.’

‘Did you see Piven in your vision?’

Roddy shook his head. ‘No, but I knew I would be hurt badly but survive. I trust my visions. They are never wrong.’

‘And so you’ve had a vision about me?’

‘I think you have the power to move as freely and easily as you did when you were a bird,’ Roddy replied gravely.

‘Fly?’

Roddy exploded into laughter. ‘No. You don’t have wings any more!’

‘Then how?’

‘On those legs you are so proud of. I think they will carry you much faster than you can imagine.’

‘Really?’

Roddy nodded. ‘Let’s try.’

‘All right,’ Ravan said, bemused. ‘Stand back!’ he said dramatically, making Roddy grin. ‘Here goes.’ He ran and was out of Roddy’s sight within moments, but returned at immense speed, dust swirling in his wake.

‘Strike me!’ Ravan declared. ‘I’m glad you shared your vision!’

Roddy laughed loudly. ‘You were gone from sight within a blink. Have you any idea how fast you are?’

Ravan shook his head with wonder. ‘I see everything ahead in perfect clarity but everything else is a blur rushing by. I can feel the wind created by my speed. I know it’s fast.’

‘I think we can get to the forest rather quickly if you can manage me on your back.’

‘Manage? This incarnation has given me the strength of two men, I’m sure. Come on, Roddy, we have a journey to make, into the hills above the Deloran Forest.’

Loethar looked at Elka and gave her a wry smile.

‘And what am I supposed to read into that expression?’ she asked.

‘I thought you’d like to know what your two friends are discussing,’ he replied.

‘Oh, so your Valisar powers permit you to read minds or overhear from long distance, do they?’

He laughed. ‘I do like you, Elka. De Vis is a lucky man.’

‘A short one.’

He laughed deeper, genuinely amused. ‘I wish I had some of the famed Valisar magic. I have none. My only power will be borrowed if I can reach it.’

‘But why?’

He sighed. ‘You know, I’ve been beginning to ask myself the same question. I’m asking myself why about a lot lately. At least Denovians are happier under my rule.’

‘If that were true I could only be impressed.’

‘But it is true,’ he pressed.

‘No, Loethar. The Denovians were not given any choice. You might think your way has been better for them — and you could be right — but harmony is really only achieved when there is free choice.’

‘Are all Davarigons so philosophical?’

‘I’m afraid so. It’s why we keep to ourselves.’

‘In case you bore people.’

It was her turn to laugh. ‘You know, for a bloodthirsty tyrant you are also reasonable company.’

He bowed his head in a mock salute. ‘So are you interested in what I was going to share with you?’

‘I don’t suppose saying no will shut you up?’

‘No. Besides, I want to dazzle you with my insight. I’d like to show just how easy my nephew is to read and how blinded by loyalty your friend de Vis is.’ He saw her bristle. ‘Forgive me. While I’m happy to taunt them, I bear you absolutely no ill will. You have been more than fair and extremely generous. I see that I hit a sore point with my barb.’

She shrugged. ‘If I had my way I would already be back in the mountains.’

‘With or without him?’

She nodded.

‘Ah, and your head and heart are sore at this.’

‘On the surface we are ill-suited, I know. But we are a good match. Regor … or Gavriel, as I must now call him, has a blind faith in the Valisars.’

‘It is to be admired.’

‘I do admire it. But it brings only sorrow to my life.’

Loethar just nodded, watching her.

Elka gave a sad smile. ‘What are they discussing?’

‘Did you understand what they were talking about regarding the aegis for each Valisar?’

‘I followed it. It’s a horrifying concept but the more I learn about the family, the less surprised I am. Would you really bind a man to you in such a vile manner, committing him to a living death?’

‘Faris would be alive, Elka.’

‘To be alive is to have free will.’

He nodded. ‘Ah, back to that. But life is rarely fair or neat.’

‘I agree. But you two would be bound together in hate. Imagine spending the rest of your life under the protection of someone who hates you.’

He shrugged. ‘My whole life has been spent like that.’

‘I’m sad for you, Loethar. I wonder what sort of man you’d have been had you been born into the palace as the true Valisar son and heir.’

‘Quite different. Anger and the drive for revenge against the family that disowned me has sadly shaped me.’

‘You are a good ruler.’

‘I know.’

‘Even Gavriel admits it.’

‘But against all of his good sense, all his instincts and admiration for you and your sense of what is right, he will follow Leo down a dark path.’

‘Dark path?’ She frowned. ‘What does that mean?’

‘Right now, if I’m not mistaken, Leo is sharing with de Vis his plan to trammel Faris.’

‘What?’ Elka’s expression darkened.

‘I’d lay my life on it.’

She was silent a moment, considering. ‘He can’t, though,’ she finally replied, her brow knitting deeper. ‘Isn’t Faris your aegis?’

‘He can. Any aegis is available to any Valisar if we recognise him or her. It’s just that the aegis can hide relatively successfullyif he doesn’t run into his own Valisar. Faris did. And now he’s a marked man for either Leo or myself. Your friend de Vis will be drawn into the subterfuge, and once Leo trammels Faris he will kill me.’

‘I won’t permit that to —’

‘You will have no say. You will also have no weapons or even ability against an aegis. Leo will command Faris. And Faris will use magic against anyone who so much as stands up to Leo. He will be invincible against any sort of threat.’

She looked at him, aghast. ‘Would you have done the same?’

‘I am Valisar,’ he replied, vaguely embarrassed.

She gave a low, animal-like growl of fury. ‘That sort of power should not be in anyone’s lap.’

‘Well, Leo will probably argue that it’s to protect the people, return the true heir to the throne, get rid of the tyrant … he’ll have many compelling arguments. Power corrupts.’

‘Gavriel won’t agree to this.’

‘You’ve just finished telling me that Gavriel has blind faith in his role to protect Leo … the true king.’

Elka bit her lip. ‘What do we do?’

‘Warn Faris, perhaps, although if he’s as smart and cunning as he’s been all of these anni I suspect he might have worked it out for himself.’

Elka looked at him. Loethar didn’t need to ask, could see the comprehension revealing itself in her astonished expression. ‘You want me to let you go?’

‘I am happy to remain your prisoner but at least put some distance between Leo and myself. Just give us some time to work out how best to handle this. I know you need time to let it all sink in.’

‘You want me to desert Gavriel and the king we’ve come back for, in order to protect the very man they have wanted to kill for the last decade?’

Loethar took a long breath. ‘When you put it like that it does seem rather a lot to ask. But yes, that is what I am asking of you.’

Elka walked away, turning her back on him.

‘There’s not much time.’

‘Be quiet!’ she ordered and he obediently fell silent. Moments later she turned back and hauled him to his feet.

‘Well?’ he asked.

‘Just get up and get moving,’ she instructed. ‘I’m going to hide you, and then I’m going to find out exactly what Gavriel and his king are plotting.’

‘Thank you, Elka.’

‘Shut up, Loethar. Have you any idea what a betrayal this is of Gavriel?’

‘It’s the right decision until you can be sure that theirs is best. If you do, then I’ll accept death. So you hold my life in your hands.’

‘Can you move?’

‘Not easily but yes, of course. I can ignore any amount of pain if it means survival.’

‘I will kill you myself if you try anything. Now grit your teeth and move!’

He did just that, setting his jaw, ignoring the pain jarring throughout his body, forever thankful that his legs could still work freely. And together, he and Elka headed deep into the higher part of the forest.

Gavriel spun around twice, confused and then shocked. ‘She’s gone,’ he said.

Leo let out a howl of anguish. ‘I knew it! I knew the Davarigon bitch couldn’t be trusted!’

Gavriel loomed before him. ‘Be careful, Leo. Be very careful. I’m sure Elka has an explanation for this.’

‘Explanation? Explanation? How about treachery? Or betrayal? That has a nice ring. Was it just my imagination or did you notice how friendly the two of them were? She protected his life with her own not so long ago. Now she’s taken him somewhere.’

‘You don’t know that!’

‘Open your eyes, for Gar’s sake, Gav! She’s gone. And so is he. It doesn’t matter how it came about. It makes no difference whether he charmed her or overwhelmed her or simply persuaded her with reason, but she must be helping him. Or at least one of them would be here where we left them not so long ago.’

‘But why? Give me a reason why she would do this?’

Leo shook his head. ‘What does it matter?’

‘It matters. Elka does nothing without rationale. She thinks everything through. I think the last truly spontaneous act that woman made was interfering in my life and wresting me back from those barbarian soldiers.’

‘Well, here’s her latest rash act. She’s chosen the emperor over you.’

‘That’s ridiculous. Elka and I …’

‘What?’ Leo demanded, his tone full of derision.

Gavriel paused and ran his hand through his hair. ‘Well, we’ve been close friends for a decade. She hardly knows him. And she’s disgusted by the death he’s wreaked on the Set.’

‘And now she’s met him and he’s convinced her to get him away from us. Now more than ever I need the protection of an aegis. Until now I’ve had the disguise of anonymity, the cover of Loethar’s belief that I was killed a long time ago. That is all shattered now. You have to help me. We have to get Faris trammelled.’

‘I have to go after her. Make her see reason, understand why she did this. She could have been startled. Maybe she saw other enemies and got him away for all the right reasons?’ Gavriel tried.

‘Then where are these intruders? We’d see some evidence. And who is going to be travelling this high up, this deep into the forest, by chance?’

Gavriel shook his head. ‘I just want to know why.’

‘First we must return to Faris. I’m now so vulnerable we can’t waste another moment on recriminations. Let’s get the protectionwe need and then worry about Loethar. He’s injured. He can’t get that far, even on her back,’ Leo said with immense disgust. Turning, he headed back through the woods towards where they’d left Kilt.

Gavriel followed, his mind in a daze of confusion.

5

He glanced over at her. ‘Are you all right?’

She gave a tight, nervous smile. ‘Yes. Just a bit overwhelmed, I suppose.’

‘Just move as though you mean it, Lily,’ Kirin counselled. ‘Freath told me this many times over the last ten anni. Half the battle with any form of guise is confidence. Talk like you mean it, walk like you mean it, is what he used to say. If we can convince the first few people we meet, you’ll blend into the palace with ease. I have rooms well away from any of the people you need to fear.’

She nodded. ‘I trust you, Kirin.’

‘I’m glad. Just act the role, Lily; no one’s got any reason to disbelieve it. We’ve gone over our story so many times I almost believe it.’

‘Well, we’re not lying, we are married,’ she said as she held up her hand. They both looked at the ring on her finger. Lily’s expression was a study in disbelief.

Kirin made his voice as gentle as he could. ‘Come on, Mrs Felt, let me show off what a beautiful wife I’ve caught on my travels.’

‘After you, Master Felt,’ she said, nodding.

Kirin led the way towards the great palace gates, slowing his horse as the guards stepped out. He recognised three of them.

‘You’re back,’ said a young man whose name, Kirin recalled, was Jert. ‘People have been worried about you.’

‘Worried?’ Kirin frowned. ‘Why? Surely Master Freath told everyone I was on a sabbatical?’

‘Erm, well, we’ve had bad news from the north,’ Jert said, pointing him through the gates.

Kirin’s anxiety deepened. ‘What kind of bad news?’ he asked as he got off his horse to lead it through.

The young man shook his head. ‘We’re not sure what it means — not much detail filters down to us. But the news this morning is that General Stracker is headed back to Brighthelmstone today… alone. He should be here shortly. The runner came by almost exactly on the last bell.’

‘Alone? Without whom?’ Kirin asked, shaking his head, confused as another familiar soldier joined them, an older man. ‘Hello, Kain.’

‘Master Kirin. Good to see you back safe and sound.’

Kirin found a grin. ‘I’ve been a little busy finding myself a wife,’ he said, gesturing to Lily as he handed over his reins to a young stableboy.

His two companions laughed and Kirin snuck a glance at Lily. She was smiling, but he could tell she was uncomfortable with the men’s attention. Clearing his throat, he said hastily, ‘I suppose I should have sent word but I presumed Freath would advise all who needed to know. Anyway, who did you expect should be accompanying the general?’

‘The emperor, Master Kirin,’ Jert replied. ‘Loethar went north in search of his brother after their mother died.’

Kirin paused, privately delighted at this news. ‘Gar’s breath!’ he forced out, making sure he sounded shocked and appropriately sorrowful. ‘She seemed in good health when I left.’

‘She was,’ the older man said, an edge of sarcasm in his voice. ‘And while nothing’s being said, we all think that’s why the empress has been banished.’

‘Banished?’ Kirin repeated, definitely surprised by this news and even more delighted. ‘Why?’

Kain winked. ‘It’s not for me to say. Let’s just agree that the emperor didn’t trust her story that his mother died of natural causes.’ He tapped his nose as though they were speaking in confidence.

Kirin felt his mouth drop open. Finally he said, ‘I’ve only been gone a short while. Any more death or drama to speak of?’ He said it lightly, as a means of extricating himself and Lily, expecting the guards would shake their heads and he could move on, but the soldier called Kain grew serious.

‘It sounds like you haven’t heard about Master Freath?’

Kirin felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. ‘Freath? No. What’s wrong with him? I was at his side just a few days ago.’

Kain nodded. ‘Yes, I thought so. I presume that’s why the general is keen to speak to you.’

‘What? Why?’

Kain shrugged. ‘To ask you who might have killed Freath.’

‘Killed … pardon?’ Kirin took a breath. ‘Freath is dead?’ he murmured, the final word catching in his throat.

‘Already buried, I believe.’

‘But why… who?… ‘ Kirin trailed off, feeling sick and frightened. ‘And the general thinks I had something to do with it?’ he continued, his throat feeling as though it were closing.

The man nodded. ‘Well, I think the emperor and our general believe that you might have some information that could help,’ he said carefully.

Kirin couldn’t speak for a few moments. Finally he stuttered, ‘Forgive me, this news is a shock.’

‘I know you and he were close. Anyway, I shall let General Stracker know you are returned. He will want to speak with you immediately.’

‘Excuse me, Kain. I… I need to… ‘ He didn’t finish his sentence. Grabbing Lily’s arm, he urged her away from theguards. ‘We have to get away from here,’ he growled beneath his breath.

‘What?’

‘Don’t react. Just walk. Smile at me. I said smile.’ She found one. ‘Good, well done. Now put your hand against my chest as though you’re concerned for me.’

She did as she was asked. ‘Believe me, I am concerned for you. What happens now?’

He turned to her and swallowed. ‘Freath’s dead. I don’t know what to do. He was our protection.’

Lily looked ahead, and he could tell her head was swimming with the same anxieties as his own.

‘We’re going to get some money and then we’re gone. All right?’

She nodded, looking frightened. ‘Are we in immediate danger here?’

‘Yes, we could be.’

‘Oh, Kirin —’

‘You have to trust me now. I won’t let anything happen to you, Lily.’

She didn’t look convinced. ‘You said I was a liability from the moment I opened my mouth and claimed to be your wife.’

‘None of this is your fault. And you are my wife, don’t forget that.’

She nodded, none of the fear leaving her expression.

‘I need you to force yourself to be calm and to just pretend. We will get through this.’

People nodded and smiled at them, some even stopped to pass a few words with Kirin, and Lily felt herself in a whirl of activity and congratulations as her husband put aside his fears and feigned precisely the right blend of charm and sorrow. Yes, he’d just received the terrible news of Freath, yes, they’d only just arrived back into the capital to hear the dire revelation, wasn’t itdreadful about Dara Negev — whoever she is, Lily thought — and this was his new wife. She found herself being admired, eyed up and down, even hugged by a very jolly woman, and all the time Kirin was dragging her gently forwards. They walked down corridors, up two flights of stairs, across landings, and then up another spiralling staircase. The palace became quieter and quieter until Kirin stood before a door. From around his neck he pulled a thong. And the key that hung from it opened the door, the timber creaking as he pushed it open.

‘Here we are,’ he said, throwing her a sad glance. ‘Welcome to my home of the last ten anni.’

The general threw the reins of his horse at the approaching stableman, barely acknowledging the soldiers around him who stood straighter and touched a hand to one cheek in a sign of recognition of the tribes.

Stracker’s tatua was drawn back by a snarl. How had Loethar got away? He’d ridden ahead of his henchmen, too disgusted to travel with them or even look at them right now. Fires of Aludane! The man had too many lives! Now he had no ally, only enemies.

Stracker strode through the halls and corridors of Brighthelmstone, startling palace workers, making for the wing reserved strictly for the emperor. His towering, threatening presence brooked no argument and he was permitted to barge into his brother’s chambers unchallenged. Once in Loethar’s salon, he slammed the door shut, yelling that he was to be left undisturbed unless information was forthcoming. Then, standing by one of the tall windows where he had so often seen his brother position himself as he pondered an issue, Stracker now adopted a similar position and brooded.

He had never been the clever son but it angered him that his family constantly underrated his ability, ever since Loethar had beaten him — more than beaten… humiliated him — on the day when the tribe fought for leadership. Yes, Loethar had been amagnificent warrior in his day, although Stracker wondered how fast those lightning quick skills might be today. He had certainly capitulated with ease back in the forest; hadn’t even offered the slightest resistance.

Instead, his brother had spoken about honour and duty. Stracker gave a choked sound of anger as he stared out towards the forest fringe. Loethar had become so naturalised as a Denovian that not only did he no longer look like he was Steppes-born, he didn’t even seem to think like a tribesman any more. His brother had become more and more a stranger to him until now their intentions, their whole outlooks, seemed to be on opposite ends.

Once again Stracker wished he had been able to wheedle out of his mother which of the tribal lords had fathered Loether. Stracker had tried many times but it was one subject she had been entirely closed to. Being her first born he would have thought she’d one day share this detail with him but she took that secret to her death. He wondered if Loethar knew.

But where was he now? he screamed in his mind. And who was protecting him? He had never seen who hurled the stone that struck his temple. He touched the spot now and felt the tenderness, pain shooting across his head. It made him livid to think that anyone would dare take a shot at him. He would find that person and tear him limb from limb with his bare hands.

A knock at the door interrupted his angry thoughts.

‘What?’ he roared.

The door opened slowly, tentatively, and a young messenger peered in.

‘You’d want to have some news to risk interrupting me,’ Stracker snarled.

The young man cleared his throat. He didn’t step inside any further and he didn’t close the door behind him. ‘General Stracker, you asked me to find out if there was any news regarding Kirin Felt. General, Master Felt arrived today.’

‘What?’ Stracker roared and took a pace forward.

The youngster quailed, instantly fell into Steppes language in his fear, and began to gabble. ‘He is in Brighthelmstone. According to the men at the gates, he has a new wife. They… they arrived during the last bell, not that long before you did.’

‘Find them! I wish to speak with them immediately.’

‘I thought you would say that, general, and I have already organised an escort. I sensed this man is important to you.’

Stracker was surprised. The boy showed intuition. The useful kind. ‘Very good. What is your name?’

‘Leak, general.’

‘I will remember you, Leak. Go fetch Kirin Felt and bring his wife also. Do not brook any argument,’ he said, returning to the Denovian language that Loethar had always insisted upon. ‘And one more thing: I want you to fetch someone else for me, too.’

As soon as he was inside the deceptively large chamber, Kirin appeared to crumple in on himself. All the bravado and courage deserted him and he sat on the bed staring at the straw on the floor.

Lily waited, unsure at first. Then she sat alongside him and took his hand. Cradling it between her palms, she rubbed it softly. ‘I’m so sorry about Freath,’ she began gently.

He shook his head. ‘How can it be? I should have stayed with him. Perhaps I could have —’

‘Kirin,’ she cut in, determined to stop the wave of recrimination that she sensed was coming, ‘no amount of blaming yourself can convince me that Freath didn’t know he was living on borrowed time.’

He turned to stare at her with damp eyes. ‘What do you mean?’

Lily raised his hand and kissed it softly, briefly. ‘From everything you’ve told me about courageous Freath, he has been risking his life since before you even came to the palace. He hadcommitted himself to his double life, knew the risks, accepted the consequences. In a way, he’d already given his life to the Valisars.’

Kirin looked broken. ‘He often said that. He would tell me that death was not something he feared because death walked alongside him each day.’

Lily nodded. ‘He truly was a brave and loyal man. Leonel owes him so much.’

‘He was on his way to meet with the king. I just don’t see how things could have gone wrong.’

‘I imagine we’ll hear the details soon enough. For now you must accept that nothing you do can bring him back. You have to concentrate on protecting your life… and mine.’

He gazed at her for a moment, unblinking, and then nodded. ‘You’re right. We haven’t time to spare for grieving. We have to get away from here. That’s the main task.’

‘What are you planning? Where shall we go?’

‘Where we go is the least of our problems. Right now we just need to get as far from General Stracker as possible. The man is mad and has always hated us Vested. With Freath I enjoyed a certain amount of protection simply because he was so close to Loethar. But his death will signal a change, especially with the emperor not even in the palace. Loethar might have tolerated Freath’s association with me but I doubt very much if he’ll lose any sleep over hearing that I met with an accidental death on the end of one of Stracker’s swords.’ He gave a grim smile. ‘And even if he doesn’t kill me he’s almost certainly going to pack me off to wherever the hell they were taking all those other Vested.’

‘Right,’ Lily said, nodding, desperate to be optimistic in her trust of Kirin. ‘What can I do?’

He began opening drawers. ‘Pack whatever you think we might need. Keep it light. There’s some medicines in that cabinet over there,’ he said, pointing.

Lily made a scoffing sound. ‘We don’t need those. I am a walking medicine cabinet, please trust that.’

He nodded. ‘Fine. Help me with this floorboard then.’ Quickly he inserted a thin letter opener into a crack between two boards, raising one of them slightly.

She squatted opposite him. ‘Is this where you keep your money?’

‘I’m afraid so. Not very creative, am I?’

She smiled and pulled on the lifted board. It sighed and then with a soft creak gave way. Beneath it was a sack. Kirin lifted it out and opened it for her to look inside.

Lily raised a shocked gaze to him. ‘Kirin, that’s a small fortune in coin.’

He shrugged. ‘I’ve never had need for money but Freath insisted on my receiving a stipend from the Crown. I’m not sure whether Loethar or Stracker even knew about it. We’ll split it up between us, just in case we get separated or robbed. It’s too noisy for one person to carry anyway.’

Lily nodded, still amazed at the amount of money before her. They busied themselves stashing the coin in pockets and little pouches that Kirin produced, stringing the pouches around each of their necks and two each from their waists.

‘There,’ Kirin said at last, satisfied. ‘Whatever we now need we can buy.’

‘Then let’s go. What’s the plan?’

He bit his lip. ‘It’s too risky to try and organise horses. We’ll have to leave on foot and worry about transport later. We can leave by one of the side gates. I think it’s best if we head down to the chapel. It’s probably the quietest area of the palace complex and at this time will likely be deserted. There’s —’

A loud banging on the door interrupted him. Both Lily and Kirin froze. ‘Master Kirin?’ a voice enquired.

Lily melted into his side as Kirin put a protective arm around her. He nodded encouragement when she stared at him, terrified, and then called out, ‘Who is it?’

‘It’s Leak, Master Kirin, General Stracker’s messenger.’

She felt Kirin straighten and knew her own body had stiffened at the mention of the barbarian.

‘Don’t panic, Lily,’ he whispered. ‘We just have to continue playing our role.’

She nodded, swallowing. Her father had always cautioned that there was no good to be had in the cities. She’d been aware that he had always avoided any contact with the capital in particular; even at festival time when it seemed as though everyone except themselves would travel to Brighthelmstone to enjoy all the merrymaking, she and her father had remained deep in the woodland. When she was younger, Lily had resented their isolation.

But now, sensing Kirin’s fear, knowing that General Stracker was a thug, she realised that life in the woods with her father, and more recently with Kilt, had been so wise. How had Kirin and Freath lived with such constant anguish all these anni?

‘Just a moment,’ Kirin called out and he looked her way.

They had no choice. She nodded.

Kirin opened the door. ‘Yes, what is it, Leak?’

‘General Stracker wishes to see you immediately, Master Kirin.’

‘Immediately?’ Kirin repeated. ‘I thought the general was away.’

‘He returned a short while ago, Master Kirin.’

‘I see. And why the urgency? I have only just returned from a long journey myself. My wife and I are weary, keen to —’

‘I’m sorry, Master Kirin. I was simply asked to fetch you. I have a soldier escort waiting.’

Lily felt her throat go dry as she watched from behind as Kirin peered into the hallway.

‘Since when do we use armed escorts around the palace?’ he demanded, his voice even tighter. ‘What is going on?’

Lily stepped up to her husband and linked arms; she had to convey to him that she would be brave and he must do whateverhe had to in order to keep up the front they had constructed. As frightened as she was, and she knew Kirin must be, it sounded as though facing the general was his only option now. Escape would have to wait.

‘Forgive me, Master Kirin. I am just doing as bid by the general. Can you please come with us now.’ The messenger’s voice was polite but even Lily could hear his waning tolerance.

‘Let me just settle my wife, please. This is most inconvenient and —’

‘Er, the general has requested your wife’s presence too.’

Lily’s heart skipped. ‘Now look here, Leak,’ Kirin tried, ‘this really is —’

‘General’s orders,’ a new voice growled.

Lily didn’t think Kirin had even seen the soldier approach. His bulk filled the doorway without warning as the man stared down at them with an unswerving gaze.

There was nothing her husband could say. ‘Right. Just give me a moment.’ He closed the door and turned to Lily, his mind clearly scrambling.

‘Listen, Kirin,’ she whispered. ‘You have nothing to fear. You had nothing to do with Freath’s death. Your conscience is clear and they will see that as they question you.’

‘But, Lily, I am a traitor. Perhaps they’ll see that too,’ he whispered back, sounding helpless.

‘You’ve hidden it for a decade. Keep hiding it. Come on. How do I look?’ she asked, pushing back her hair and pinching at her cheeks.

‘Beautiful,’ he replied, taking her hand and kissing her cheek. ‘Let’s go face the barbarian beast.’

‘I sense you would prefer to face Loethar.’

‘Not really. Stracker is just a thug. Loethar is far more dangerous because he’s clever and cunning.’

‘So there’s hope, then,’ she quipped and felt a surge of helpless affection for Kirin’s lopsided smile when it came.

Kirin hesitated. ‘Why are we being taken to the emperor’s salon if we are to see General Stracker?’

‘The general has summoned you from these rooms,’ Leak explained.

Kirin glanced at Lily. She looked so pale. He hated himself for bringing her here suddenly. He had endangered her life in order to secure his cover. Glancing at the two guards who flanked him, he caught Lily’s attention and gave her a soft sad smile of encouragement. And as the messenger knocked on the door, he promised himself that come what may he would get Lily out of the palace to safety … even if it killed him.

‘Enter!’ boomed the familiar voice.

‘Kirin and Mistress Felt to see you, general,’ Leak said, entering first.

Kirin duly trooped in, resisting the urge to quail before Stracker’s overwhelming bulk. The general eyed them both smugly and with what Kirin sensed was malicious intent.

‘Welcome back, Felt. You’ve had us all worried.’ He looked over their heads to the soldiers and a slight inclination told them they were dismissed. ‘You too may leave, Leak.’

Kirin waited while the three others left. When the door closed he swallowed. He thought about Freath and how he no longer had the man’s cunning to rely upon; now it was down to him to find a way to extricate them from Stracker.

Stracker seemed to be waiting for a response. Kirin frowned and shrugged. ‘I don’t know why, General Stracker. There was no need for anyone to worry. Master Freath gave me permission to leave Francham.’

‘Freath is dead.’

Kirin blinked. ‘I still can’t believe it. I’ve known the news barely minutes. It seems unthinkable.’

‘And yet it’s true. His body was brought back just days ago. He lay in the morgue while my brother came to terms with it.’ He turned, walked back towards the window and seemed to ponderthis thought. Kirin glanced at Lily, trying to reassure her. She looked petrified. ‘He was murdered, you see.’ He swung back and gave Kirin a hard look.

A silence lengthened as they stared at one another.

Kirin swallowed as the horror of what he’d just heard sank in. ‘Murdered?’ he finally repeated. ‘Kain at the gate mentioned he’d been killed. I assumed it was an accident.’

‘No accident,’ the general said harshly. ‘Stuck in the gut like a pig.’

‘When?’

The general smiled maliciously. ‘The same night you disappeared. Coincidence, eh?’

Kirin felt his throat go dry. He swallowed again. ‘And you think I had something to do with it, general? That I might have organised the slaughter of the man I have kept company for the past decade, with whom I have been friends for all of that time, my superior?’

Stracker shrugged. ‘We’ve been waiting to hear your side of it, certainly.’

‘I did not kill Freath. I did not know of any plot to kill him and I have no knowledge whatsoever of anyone who would wish him harm.’

‘Apart from any number of people he has offended at the palace, starting with me,’ Stracker continued acidly.

‘No one knew of our arrival in Francham. He hadn’t even met anyone official for anyone to be forewarned.’

‘Well, you knew. And then you conveniently disappeared.’

‘I left Freath, at his behest and with his best wishes, to visit my old home. There was nothing untoward about my departure. We planned to see each other back at Brighthelmstone on this day, as arranged,’ Kirin lied.

‘And he had no other meeting arranged in the north other than with the local mayor?’

Kirin frowned. ‘None whatsoever,’ he said indignantly, hoping his lie sounded convincing. ‘Certainly none that I was privy to.’

Stracker’s glance slid across to Lily. Kirin could feel her flinch beside him.

‘This is my wife, Lily.’

Stracker’s tatua stretched and a ghastly, malevolent smile spread over his face. ‘Mrs Felt. How beautiful you are.’

Lily bit her lip. ‘General Stracker,’ she said, curtseying.

‘You can’t have known Master Felt terribly long.’

‘Actually, general,’ she said, nervously smiling, glancing at Kirin, ‘I’ve known him since childhood. We… er… we both grew up on Medhaven.’

‘Is that so?’

She nodded. Kirin felt his gut twist. ‘We were childhood sweethearts. I thought I’d lost Kirin for good,’ she said, giving Kirin a sweet side smile. ‘But then he came back. No warning,’ she said archly and Kirin loved her all the more for trying so hard when he knew how frightened she was. ‘He just arrived back on the island. “Hello, Lily,” he said, as if we’d only parted a few days previous.’ She gave a soft laugh. ‘I’m embarrassed to say my heart leapt. I thought I was over him, particularly as I was seriously considering Link Chervil’s proposal of marriage.’

‘Link Chervil?’ Kirin repeated in mock astonishment. ‘What an oaf.’

‘Link’s doing very well, if you don’t mind.’

‘What does Link do for a living?’ Stracker asked and Kirin knew he wasn’t in the least bit interested. This was a test.

‘Link is a —’

‘I asked your wife, Master Felt. Mrs Felt?’

Lily hesitated, but tried to cover her nervousness with a small smile. ‘Why, Link is a miller.’

Kirin died inside.

6

Loethar was breathing hard. ‘Elka, stop,’ he croaked.

She turned around and came back to him. ‘Are you in pain?’

He shook his head, unable to talk, as he sucked in air. ‘Can’t breathe.’

‘Does your head ache?’

‘As though it may explode.’

She nodded. ‘Sit down.’ He needed no further encouragement, and dropped immediately to the ground. ‘I think you’ve got what we call “mountain sickness". It’s the air up this high. It does affect some people this way if they’re not used to moving around at such a height.’

‘I’m a tribal man from the plains,’ he said, trying to grin but it quickly turned into a grimace. ‘All right, now I’m hurting. Everything hurts.’

‘So much for the barbarian warlord.’

‘I was never either of those things,’ he complained. ‘That’s a title the Set royals gave me. I’m a king in my own right, of the Steppes even before I took over the empire.’

‘Forgive me.’

He waved a tired hand. ‘Is this going to get any easier?’

She shook her head. ‘Only with many moons of practice. So, first things first. Watch how I’m breathing.’ She began to takevery quick but deep breaths. ‘This will fill your chest with air faster than trying to breathe normally at this height.’

‘Like this?’ he asked, trying to mimic her.

‘Good. A breath every five counts if you can and as deep as you can achieve. And drink. You have to take on more water than normal. Believe me, it will really help.’

He immediately swigged from the water sack she handed him.

‘Keep sipping. It’s important,’ Elka urged. ‘Now,’ she said, sounding distracted as she scanned the landscape, ‘what we have to do is get you lower.’

‘Lower?’

‘You can’t stay this high. Your sickness will only get worse before it gets better. And we don’t have time to spend getting you used to this height. We’ll have to descend. The problem is I suspect Leo knows his way around those lower levels.’

‘Let’s face it, Elka, after living around you I suspect de Vis knows how to handle the higher levels, too. We’re trapped.’

‘Yes, but Gavriel doesn’t know the geography of the higher altitudes as the king must of the lower forest. Besides, we can outwit Gavriel, I know how he thinks. But not the king.’

‘Don’t call him that.’

‘Why? Does it offend you?’

‘Yes, damn you. I am the true King.’

‘And just look at you.’ She laughed but not unkindly.

Loethar found himself smiling bleakly. ‘I’m a picture of power, right?’

She helped haul him back to his feet. ‘Come on, my lord. You can fight it out for the title another time.’

‘Why are you helping me?’

‘Frankly, I don’t know. Behind me is the man I love. And even if I find his loyalty to Leo pig-headed, I couldn’t tell you why I’ve chosen to betray Gavriel and side with the enemy! The problem, I suppose, is that I expected so much more of Leo.’

‘No, the problem, my beautiful mountain goat, is that you didn’t expect to like me as much as you do. You’d anticipated some sort of thuggish monster and what you’ve found during our journey into the forest is the opposite. Handsome too.’ He gave her a smile.

‘Lo save me. Are all the Valisars this arrogant?’ She pushed him forwards and they travelled in silence until he needed to stop again.

She watched him settle himself against a tree. Her brow knitted together. ‘Do you hate him?’

‘Who, Leonel?’ She nodded and he paused while he considered her question. ‘In a way, like you, now that I’ve met him I’ve changed my opinion. I wanted him dead like his father. But now that I see him, I see a young man desperately trying to fulfil what his father had been force feeding him, insisting he achieve since he was born. These last few hours I’ve put myself into Leo’s position and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I would have acted no differently. So I don’t hate him. I pity him. He is compelled — as I am — to claim what he believes his.’

‘But now neither of you have it. Your brute of a brother does.’

‘He’s my half-brother. We shared a womb, that is all. I wouldn’t hesitate to kill him, nor he me — as you witnessed.’

‘I was surprised that you didn’t fight back.’

‘Perhaps it was a mistake. He is fearless but he is a lout, never did bother to learn the art of war or how to fight with skill rather than brute force.’ He gave a small sigh. ‘I didn’t even bother to arm myself properly. I anticipated a fight, but I should have anticipated the ambush. Somehow I wanted to believe our family had been raised to fight fairly. I am not his enemy. I never was. But he hates me and,’ he shrugged, ‘I am not overly fond of him.’

‘You seemed ready to die.’ She shook her head. ‘I mean, you appeared to accept your fate.’

He nodded. ‘It was a strange moment. It felt fitting at the time. I think I’d become disillusioned. My mother should nothave died — certainly not the way she did. I have never loved my wife. I have never loved a woman.’ Elka looked astonished. ‘It’s true. This sounds arrogant but it’s genuinely the reason: I’ve never found anyone who matched me. Valya is beautiful but I am not a man who chases outward beauty. I love things only if they appeal to me on all levels. Valya is cold, calculating. She is driven by a poisonous bitterness that dates back well before she ever knew of my existence. The tragedy is that Valya, I believe, does love me … and in the right way.’ He shook his head with regret. ‘She is a stunning woman but her looks are constantly compromised by a grasping, shallow, vain, and cruel personality. She actually enjoys watching people suffer. I suppose many would level the same accusation my way,’ he said, when he saw the look of astonishment flit across Elka’s face. ‘But when I punish people my only satisfaction is knowing that I am right. I don’t torture for the sake of it.’

‘You just leave that to your brother,’ she finished dryly.

‘My half-brother can be useful if he’s channelled the right way. Until now my mother and I have been the only people who can really exert control over him. Her death changes everything — from the way he views me to his believing he answers to no one any longer. And that’s dangerous. He’s happiest when there’s chaos, bloodshed, disruption.’

‘And people he can hurt,’ she remarked.

‘Indeed.’

‘From what I hear, you seemed pretty happy with yourself during the overthrow.’

His brow furrowed. ‘War is different, Elka. War is not polite or pretty. But there should always be a decency to it, for want of a better word. If people surrender, it should be accepted without further death. I only ever held the royals of each realm responsible. Their heads were all I was after. The Set kingdoms were so smug and impressed with themselves. We got word that they were laughing at the thought of a Steppes invasion. Not oneof the kings ever for a moment thought a horde of tribal warriors from the plains was a match for even one of their fighting units. So we had to desecrate the armies, completely crush their sense of superiority. That was the only way to force quick surrenders before the civilians began to suffer.’

‘Spoken like a true king,’ Elka said lightly.

‘I am Valisar,’ Loethar replied. ‘Even if my father refused to acknowledge me.’ He gave a harsh laugh. ‘You know, my mother was just a night of diversion. A warm and willing body to forget about the minute he mounted his horse the next morning. But she never forgot him; I suspect she loved him more than she cared to admit.’ At Elka’s look of wonder, he shrugged. ‘She was young, impressionable and no doubt vulnerable. An older, very important man wanted her. Why wouldn’t she fall for him?’

‘Forgive me, but can I ask how it comes about that a woman with a child, already married, is able to lie down with a stranger … a foreigner?’

Loethar sighed. ‘I know it seems hard to imagine in this day and age but nearly forty anni ago there were strange customs. The Steppes people were quite used to seeing trade caravans going into or out of the Set. I think my mother and Stracker’s father were having difficulties. I don’t really know what occurred — she refused to talk about it with me — but whether she spent that time with the Valisar royal simply to spite him or there were other circumstances, I’ll never know. The fact is Stracker’s father treated me as his own son. I will always respect and admire him for that. He was a good man.’

Elka shook her head in quiet disbelief. ‘Did your mother know her lover was the king at the time?’

‘I honestly don’t know. Perhaps.’

‘But his scorn hurt her,’ Elka mused.

‘That’s right. When he didn’t come back for her or show the slightest care about the child she was carrying she wanted to make him pay for using her. And by then she did know hisposition and I suspect it offended her to realise she was carrying a royal child in her belly that no one wanted to acknowledge.’

‘How was he supposed to know she was pregnant?’

‘I gather she sent word somehow.’

‘Did she really believe he would look after her?’

He nodded. ‘I think she did,’ he said softly. ‘She was a beautiful woman in her youth and she came from an old, very proud line. I imagine she convinced herself that a marriage between a Steppes woman and a Valisar king could work.’

Elka shook her head. ‘And you?’

‘Me?’

‘Do you think marriages between different cultures can work?’

‘I do. I’m proving it. We have mixed marriages all over the empire. It’s just a matter of breaking down old attitudes.’

‘So in your eyes, Gavriel and I aren’t such a ridiculous match?’

She said it lightly, but Loethar took her seriously. ‘You are a bad match, you two. He doesn’t love you romantically, Elka. He loves you as his best friend.’

He watched the amusement and the interest in their conversation in her eyes wilt and found a grin for her. ‘So, marry me instead, Elka. I think we’d make a fine couple and a great example to the rest of the empire.’

‘You’re married already, and a father.’

‘I despise my wife and we are estranged. My daughter is dead. Truly, what a ruin I am.’ He kept his tone dry, afraid of sounding self-pitying.

‘I’m really very sorry about your daughter,’ Elka said quietly.

Loethar was surprised to feel his throat close up. He swallowed hard and nodded, trying to keep his emotions in check.

‘Forgive me, I don’t mean to upset you.’

‘You’re not, Elka,’ he said softly. ‘You’re a comfort. I haven’t yet grieved for my daughter. I needed a son for political reasons and it was a disappointment that a daughter was born. And then to hear that she was sickly and likely to succumb … I walkedaway. I had just lost my mother and Freath; I couldn’t bear to look upon my daughter and love her if I was only going to lose her. But I regret that decision now.’ He shrugged. ‘Here, beneath the sky, away from all that and with a clearer view of life, I wish I could hold her, tell her that I love her and am proud to be her father.’ His throat felt tight again, and he cleared it. ‘My true father didn’t love me and I just gave the same hurt to my daughter.’

Elka looked shaken. ‘I’m so sorry.’

He gave her a searching glance then shook his head hopelessly. ‘Don’t be. I deserve to suffer.’

She smiled quizzically. ‘You’re a very complicated man, Loethar. Lucky for you life is a lot less complex in the mountains.’ She sighed. ‘Come on, let’s find somewhere safe but lower. You’ll feel better almost immediately once we descend but you’ll still need to rest.’

‘Excellent news. Now you’ll have to forgive me, Elka, because right now I have to —’

He didn’t finish what he was going to say. Instead, he turned quickly, and violently retched.

She sighed. ‘Men are so weak,’ she muttered, and won a growl from her companion.

Back at the camp the men had gathered around Leo. It had taken him a long time to assemble them, but he was determined to gauge their reaction as a group, hoping one would give away the truth if they knew what their leader was up to. And he had to be careful about it, for each of these men, he was sure, remained intensely loyal to the outlaw.

‘None of you have any idea where Kilt has gone?’ he asked, masking the disbelief in his voice, turning it into concern. ‘I was with him only a short time ago, just before he sent me to speak with Loethar. I need to know what he wants us to do. I have to report to him.’

‘We haven’t even seen Kilt or Jewd for hours,’ Tern replied.

Leo held his tongue with difficulty. Tern was doing a good job at disguising the stiffness in his tone but Leo had spent many anni learning how to see past the obvious. ‘Well, I’m sure they’ll let us know soon enough what they’re up to,’ he finally said, deciding it was better to appear confused in return for remaining close to the only family he’d known in a decade. ‘What now?’

‘We’re moving camp,’ Tern replied. ‘It’s no longer safe here.’

‘Really? We weren’t followed,’ Gavriel said.

Tern shook his head. ‘Kilt never takes chances. In fact, we’re splitting up.’

‘What?’ Leo, who had been sitting down, trying to remain casual, jumped to his feet. ‘Who ordered that?’

The men around him began to mutter between themselves.

‘No one did, majesty,’ Tern said and Leo noted with satisfaction Tern’s use of his title. ‘This is what we do if we feel in any way threatened. It’s a precaution. We will re-group.’

‘When?’

Tern shrugged. ‘Whenever. You know how it is. We always seem to find one another.’

‘What should I do?’

‘You are welcome to come with me, majesty. I would consider it an honour.’

Leo had to think. He glanced at Gavriel. So long apart hadn’t changed that bond they’d shared through his childhood. He could see that Gavriel didn’t believe a word of what was being said here.

‘No, thank you. I might wait here in case Kilt returns. I have things to tell him. He would expect it of me, I think. I’ve made too many mistakes recently and I don’t want to disappoint him again.’

Tern nodded unhappily. ‘As you wish, highness. De Vis, can I leave you to protect the king?’

‘It’s what I was born to do apparently,’ Gavriel replied. He said it lazily but Leo could hear the barb in it.

‘We’ll carry on then,’ Tern said, and motioned to the men to continue their plans for dispersal.

As they moved away, Gavriel arrived alongside Leo. ‘They’re lying.’

‘I know.’

‘Why?’

‘Kilt got to them.’ Leo’s face twisted in anger. ‘He knows what we were planning.’

‘How?’

‘I think you’ve forgotten just how sharp Kilt is. He and Loethar are well suited for their cunning minds.’ He grimaced. ‘All the more reason we can’t let them meet.’

‘Leo, you have to trust me when I say that Elka will not permit Loethar to do this… this… ’

‘Trammelling,’ Leo offered.

‘Exactly. And even if she did entertain such an idea, it wouldn’t be without my sanction.’

‘I hope your confidence is borne out, my friend. Otherwise Loethar will be invincible and you might as well run me through with that blade of yours now.’

‘So what do you suggest we do now?’

Leo shook his head with disgust. ‘I’m torn as to whether to hunt down Kilt, who I need for protection, or Loethar, to ensure my safety.’

‘Do you want to hear what I think?’

‘I know your idea will be to pursue neither of them.’

Gavriel waited.

‘All right, let’s hear it, Gav,’ Leo sighed.

‘Loethar isn’t your primary threat any longer. Right now he’s too injured. And no matter how you like to colour it, he is my prisoner.’

‘Yours?’ Leo said, surprised, unable to mask the scorn in his voice.

Gavriel nodded, irritatingly calm. ‘Elka will do what I say.’

Leo wanted to say something cutting but was all too aware that apart from Gavriel de Vis he had no one. ‘You said Loethar is no longer my biggest threat. So who is?’

‘His half-brother, Stracker.’

‘Stracker doesn’t even know I exist.’

‘That’s a fair point. But he doesn’t need to know you exist to be your problem. As we stand here, Leo, Stracker is, I imagine, laying claim to the empire. And because, according to Steppes law, any man of any tribe can fight for kingship when the king dies, Stracker won’t claim Loethar to be dead. Instead, he’ll say he’s lost or was grabbed by renegades, so he can continue to sit the throne without having to fight for it. As long as Loethar lives, we have time to plan properly. The empire won’t be embroiled in war or a struggle for rulership. We can move around freely. No one outside of this forest knows either of us is alive; neither of us is recognisable either.’

‘All right. But what is your actual plan?’

‘To remain here for the time being. I have no plan. I think we need to take some time to think everything through properly. No rash decisions.’

‘But what about Kilt? I need him.’

‘Faris has kept you safe and alive for a decade without your having to eat him!’

‘And I intend that he will continue to do so.’

Gavriel looked pained. ‘I’m sorry, Leo, but I won’t be a party to such a move.’

‘Your father never refused his king.’

‘My father was never asked to participate in such a debased practice.’

‘You can’t know that.’

‘No, that’s true. But I do know my father …’ Gavriel hesitated but said no more and Leo knew his old friend wanted to add: which is more than you can say about your own.

‘Well, you’ve made your position clear.’

Gavriel’s eyes narrowed. ‘All I’m saying is wait. Don’t do anything rash. I am prepared to agree that if as a last measure all I have standing between you and Loethar’s blade is Kilt Faris, I won’t permit your death.’

Leo felt a thrill of relief. So they weren’t really on opposite sides. Gavriel just needed time to adjust. He could bide his time. Plus they were safer up here in the forests than anywhere else. He was sure Kilt wasn’t coming back to the camp and Loethar wouldn’t dare. ‘All right. We’ll remain here and consider our position.’

Gavriel nodded. ‘Very good, Leo,’ and from the tone of his voice Leo knew his old friend meant it from the heart. ‘I’m starving. Do we have any food in this place?

Elka returned to where she’d left him. ‘No signs of anyone. I think we’ll be all right here for the time being,’ she said, looking up into the tall tree beneath which Loethar was slumped.

‘How are you feeling now?’

‘I might not look it but I feel entirely different.’

She nodded. ‘Recovery is surprisingly fast if we get a rapid enough descent in time. We did the right thing for you. Now I have to think about all your other problems. Did you keep drinking?’

He nodded. ‘Lucky we found that mountain stream. My nephew would have given me nothing.’

‘Neither would your aegis, remember. Leonel was simply following orders.’

‘Orders.’ Loethar grimaced. ‘He’s a king apparently. He’s Valisar. He should be giving orders, not taking them.’

She sighed. ‘Frankly, I’m tired of the Valisars.’

‘They’re so unnecessary now, aren’t they?’ he asked in an ironic tone.

She joined in, smiling. ‘Too pre-empire for my taste!’

Loethar gave a big belly laugh. ‘I’m glad I’m with you, Elka, and not that sour de Vis. He doesn’t deserve you.’

‘Gavriel’s a good man. Worth far more than you credit him. The very fact that he’s not hunting you down — and believe me, he is now a frighteningly good tracker — means that he’s somehow controlling Leo’s desire to bond you.’

The emperor’s face grew serious. ‘Why would he do that, do you think? He hates me, wants to kill me.’

Elka sat down beside him and took a swig from the water sack. ‘With good reason. But you’ve seen for yourself that he’s not nearly so one-eyed as Leo clearly is. Your nephew …’ She shook her head. ‘I still can hardly believe you’re doing this to each other. You are family.’

‘I learned the hard way that the Valisar family is one-eyed, particularly if you’re the one on the throne,’ he said, bitterness lacing his tone.

She nodded. ‘Anyway, I suspect your nephew is being driven by a different hunger. He wants revenge and he’s also got the Valisars’ problem of believing nothing and no one matters but them. You laid waste to the royals of the Set. Don’t blame Leo for wanting to punish you. But I think Gavriel sees beyond his own youthful craving to make you pay for the savage, cowardly death that you gave his father. Gavriel’s older, wiser, and doesn’t have the all too proud, too self-absorbed, too-royal Valisar blood pounding through his veins. And he can see that times have changed — that there’s peace and prosperity now.’

‘So now I have to rely on my enemy?’

She laughed. ‘Yes, Loethar. I think you do. And until I hear from him you remain my prisoner.’

‘If I give you my word that I will not harm you and won’t try to escape, will you agree to unbind me so I don’t feel like an animal? Perhaps I can actually be of some help.’

She considered this, staring at him. He returned the gaze steadily. Finally, Elka nodded. ‘Gavriel will kill me but I’m going to trust you, Loethar. I do believe you are a man of your word.’

‘Indeed. I am Valisar, after all.’

She snorted with derision. ‘That has no effect on me.’

‘Then I give you my promise as a man who owes you the debt of his life.’

‘Now that means something to me.’ Producing a blade from the sheath at her hip, she cut his bonds. ‘Are you ready to travel? We might as well keep moving while you have some strength.’

‘I’ll move until I drop. Where are we going?’

‘Home. I can keep you safe in the mountains.’

‘Indulge me, Elka.’

‘You have a better plan,’ she said. ‘Yes, of course you do.’

He shrugged, though it obviously hurt him to do so. ‘Will you hear it before you dismiss it? I will not risk your life, that I promise. And we will go to the mountains directly after.’

She stared at him for a few moments, weighing him up. ‘Tell me on our way to Francham. Wherever we’re going we’ll need horses and medicine. Let’s go.’

7

Roddy clung to Ravan gleefully, his breath whipped away by the speed at which they were running. They were already approaching the forest and he knew they would be into the trees in a few heartbeats. Ravan began to slow. He didn’t even sound breathless when he spoke.

‘We are close now. I’ll set you down in a moment.’ He turned his head and Roddy could see his friend was smiling. ‘You can catch your breath.’

‘How about you?’

‘I feel perfectly normal. Not even slightly hard of breath.’ Ravan laughed. ‘Onwards we go!’

Gavriel and Leo were sitting in a comfortable silence. Dusk had closed on the forest and though the birds had fallen quiet the crickets were just beginning to exercise their legs. Leo had found a decent spread of cold food. Neither of them considered it a good idea to light a fire just in case any of Stracker’s warriors were still straggling in and around the region.

They had talked for hours about Gavriel’s life in the mountains and Leo’s growing up in the forest. Inevitably the conversation had run to talk of the old days, of them trapped in the ingress of the palace and life on the run. Now they’d fallen into a comfortable silence, enjoying the summer’s mild evening.

And so it was with some shock that Gavriel heard the sound just when he had announced he would be turning in for the night. ‘Someone’s approaching,’ he said, leaping to his feet and reaching for his bow.

‘I heard. It’s not one of the men,’ Leo replied, quietly picking up his own weapon, belching as he did so.

‘Are you all right?’

‘I feel a bit ill. I’ll get over it. I probably just miss Lily’s food.’

They instinctively separated and began widening their distance from each other, circling closer to the person they could hear approaching. Gavriel nodded at Leo and ducked behind a large tree, his arrow already nocked. He could still see into the clearing but he’d be invisible to anyone who wasn’t aware he was there.

‘Who comes?’ Leo demanded.

‘Friends,’ came the response. It sounded like a child’s voice.

Behind the tree Gavriel frowned and although he didn’t step out, he did release the tension on his bow. Finding this camp was hard enough for a tracker so whoever was coming was either very determined or knew the way in.

‘Stop!’ he heard Leo say. ‘Name yourselves.’

Gavriel peeped around the tree trunk and could just vaguely make out two shapes, a tall person — a man — and then a shorter figure next to him. A boy?

‘I am called Roddy and this is Ravan,’ said the younger one.

Leo nodded. ‘You call yourselves friends but I don’t know you.’

‘You know Ravan.’

‘Does Ravan not have a voice?’ Leo asked.

‘Yes,’ the man replied. ‘He does.’

‘I don’t recognise it. I don’t recognise either of you. Step into the light or I will order the men who have you encircled to fill you with arrows. We don’t take kindly to strangers here.’

‘Please,’ Roddy said, and Gavriel could hear fear in his voice. ‘We come alone. There’s just the two of us. And Ravan will explain. You are King Leonel, aren’t you?’

Gavriel let go of all tension on the bow and stepped around from the tree fully. He noticed that the man called Ravan saw his movement immediately. Sharp eyes, he thought.

‘You should be careful what you claim,’ Leo said but Gavriel could hear the shock in it. He saw the king rub his eyes. ‘Come into the light of the lantern.’

Gavriel circled behind the pair as they approached Leo. The man registered his presence again, turning once and nodding. Gavriel was impressed by both his keen sense of his surrounds and his composure. He was impressive: tall, strong-looking and with a set of his jaw that looked as though he was used to making his own decisions. His hair was dark, loose to his shoulders and even in this low light seemed to gleam. And though he was clean-shaven and dressed in simple black garb Gavriel’s sense of him was that he was anything but uncomplicated. Even silent his presence was commanding and vaguely reminiscent of someone. He couldn’t place who or why. He frowned again, deeper this time.

‘How did you find this camp?’ he asked.

‘Ravan knows the way,’ the boy answered.

‘Who are you, Ravan?’ Leo asked. Though his tone was pointed, Gavriel thought he looked a little distracted. Was Leo sweating?

Gavriel came around to face the strangers, his weapon by his side.

The man bowed. It was elegant, at the same time humble. His companion followed, far clumsier in his execution. The boy looked unsteady as though slightly drunk.

‘My name is Ravan,’ the man began, ‘but I am known to you under another name. One that will shock. I would ask for your indulgence to hear out our tale.’ He glanced at the boy, who nodded vaguely.

Gavriel’s eyes narrowed. The man was deferring to the boy?

Leo did not miss the glance either. ‘Do you take your orders from a child, Ravan?’

The man smiled but there was no conceit in it. ‘Roddy has a better grasp on the world of men for the time being. He and I are close travelling companions. And we are friends. I trust his judgement.’

‘Over and above your own? How odd.’

Ravan gave a shrug. ‘We share our thoughts.’

‘Stranger and stranger,’ Gavriel remarked. ‘Let me search them first,’ he said to Leo.

Leo nodded, looking pale in the torchlight.

Both raised their arms without having to be asked. Gavriel could see neither had a weapon but he went through the motions to ensure they had nothing concealed about them. He shook his head at Leo.

‘Join us in the light,’ Leo said. ‘I’m afraid you are mistaken about King Leonel. He is not —’

‘Please, your majesty,’ Ravan said, his voice even, with not a hint of disdain in it. ‘I recognise you. I have known you since you were a boy.’

Leo had been settling himself on a log but jumped to his feet.'You will have to explain that. I do not recognise you.’

‘It does need some explanation — this is true. May I politely ask for some food and water for the boy, please?’ He looked at Roddy and frowned. ‘He has made a long journey to meet you.’

Leo glanced at Gavriel, who felt obliged to assemble some cheese, nuts and berries from their meagre rations. He set them down with a fresh pitcher of water. ‘Help yourself,’ he said to Roddy.

‘Thank you,’ the boy said and began picking at the food. Gavriel didn’t think the youngster looked well at all.

‘Yourself?’ Leo offered.

Ravan shook his head. ‘Thank you. You may remember me as Vyk,’ he began without further preamble.

‘The only Vyk I knew was a bird, I’m afraid,’ Leo said, shaking his head. ‘I have excellent recall of faces and names, even from my childhood but —’

Ravan nodded. ‘What sort of bird was the Vyk that you knew?’

‘Well, not that it’s relevant but he was a… …’Leo stopped.

Gavriel also paused in the action of lowering himself to one of the logs. The shock spread through him like fast moving molten. ‘You jest,’ he said, the words tumbling out before he could think them through.

Ravan’s gaze hadn’t left the king. ‘I followed you through the forest. De Vis here would have killed me if not for your compassion.’

Gavriel blanched and Leo’s slack expression told him the king was equally in denial.

Ravan continued, ‘Forgive me, I know this sounds incredible but I can prove everything I say. I led the girl called Lily to you. She helped you,’ he said, turning to Gavriel, ‘with the wound you received from the two poachers. She took you back to her father’s hut. He was a simple healer, a forest dweller called Greven, and they kept you overnight. If I’m not mistaken, your majesty, you spent that night in a crawlspace hollowed below the hut. They were terrified when they found out that you were Prince Leonel, on the run from Loethar. I —’

‘Wait!’ Leo stopped him. ‘You want us to believe that you are the big black raven that Loethar brought to the palace, that everyone despised?’

‘I’m disappointed that I was so loathed. I was a good friend and companion to Loethar.’

‘But you’re a bird!’ Leo exclaimed, helpless confusion in his expression, his tone, even his open-armed stance.

‘He was one, majesty. Now he’s a man, made in the image of King Cormoron, First of the Valisars,’ Roddy said, a proud edge to his tone. Gavriel could see that Leo was speechless at the mention of King Cormoron. He waited a moment or two longer and then cleared his throat when he saw that Leo was not forthcoming.

‘Well, that’s a great story. Why don’t we start at the very beginning, though. You want us to accept this is Vyk, the raven, now a man?’

Roddy nodded with a wince. ‘Yes. I’m sorry, who are you?’

Ravan smiled again. ‘Roddy, this is Gavriel de Vis, champion and Legate I believe to King Leonel.’

Silence followed the introduction, everyone looking to Leo.

‘I have only questions. You will need to answer them all to my satisfaction or you —’

‘Please,’ Ravan said gently. ‘Feel free, your majesty. We have come to see you. Roddy, eat, or you will collapse from hunger.’

‘Why don’t you need to eat?’ Leo began.

‘Because I suppose I am not real. I was a bird. I now have to wonder if that was real too.’ Ravan shrugged. ‘Now I am made in the image of a man. You don’t look well, majesty.’

Gavriel noticed even in the low torchlight that Leo’s pallor was worsening. ‘Leo?’

‘Don’t worry about me. I’ve eaten something upsetting. Who made you this way?’

‘The serpent.’

‘Cyrena?’

Ravan nodded. ‘She came to us.’

‘Roddy, who are you?’

Roddy had a full mouth. He swallowed awkwardly. ‘Your majesty, I am no one. I come from a village in the south.’ There was a big fire there not long ago and my cat was trapped in the barn. I tried to save him but I got confused and then I felt the heat and my clothes went up in flames and I could no longer breathe. I know a man ran into the flames to save me but to be honest I only learned that afterwards. I don’t remember much of that time except that when I woke up I was whole again.’

‘How did you meet up with Ravan?’

Gavriel could see that Roddy was trying his utmost to answer clearly and concisely. ‘I met him,’ he frowned. ‘Well, I first saw him in a small woodland on the edge of our village but we first spoke at the cliff edge after the death of Sergius.’

Gavriel sighed with confusion. ‘All right, let’s go back to the fire. I’m curious, Roddy, as to how you escaped death if you ran into a burning barn.’

‘I told you I was healed.’

‘Healed of burns?’ Gavriel asked archly.

The boy nodded. ‘So was poor Clovis.’

‘Clovis?’ Leo wondered.

‘He was the man who ran into the barn after me. I have to lie down.’

‘We have travelled a long way,’ Ravan said. ‘Sleep, Roddy. I will explain everything. I haven’t mentioned this to Roddy but Clovis was also at the palace,’ Ravan remarked, surprising Gavriel. ‘He was one of two Vested chosen by Freath as part of a bargain made between Freath and Loethar. Clovis wasn’t very powerful.’ Ravan shrugged. ‘My understanding is that he could predict rough weather on the seas or which provisions to stock up on, that sort of thing. But he couldn’t wield his magic against anyone, not like I suspect Kirin Felt could.’

‘Felt?’ Leo narrowed his eyes. ‘Wait a moment. Felt! Isn’t that the man Lily has gone away with? I’m pretty sure that’s the name Tern used. Lily was meant just to keep him under observation but she ended up pretending to be his wife so she could stay close.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Tell me, how empowered is this Kirin Felt?’

‘I really couldn’t say,’ Ravan answered. ‘He hid his ability from Loethar and Stracker.’

‘Ah, now we have it,’ Leo said. He still looked pale, but he stood to pace. ‘I wonder just how powerful he is.’ He swung around to face Ravan. ‘Do you know what an aegis is?’

Gavriel felt a spike of uncertainty run through him. Where was Leo going with this? He was getting too obsessed with the idea of his ageis for Gavriel’s comfort.

But before he could say anything, Roddy seemed to crumple beside Ravan. ‘My apology, I must be excused.’

‘Are you feeling faint, Roddy?’ Ravan asked.

‘Come with me,’ Roddy choked out. ‘I don’t feel well.’

Ravan looked to Leo, who shrugged his permission. The two newcomers walked away; Roddy seeming to be doubled up, as though preparing to retch, Ravan was rubbing the boy’s back.

Gavriel frowned after them.

‘Don’t worry, they’re not going anywhere,’ Leo remarked. ‘Do you trust their story?’

‘It’s almost too remarkable not to. Why would anyone lie about something like being a bird? And he knows too much not to be that awful raven.’

Leo gave a helpless gesture with his hand. ‘I’m glad we didn’t kill him. He might be helpful to us. He certainly seems keen to tell us all that he knows. Look, they’re coming back.’

Gavriel nodded absently, watching the pair approach again, Roddy still clearing his throat. ‘Better?’ he asked Roddy.

The boy didn’t answer. He looked pale, weary.

‘You were telling us about Felt,’ Leo continued. ‘I think he may be an aegis. Do you know what that is?’

‘The legendary champion of the Valisars,’ Ravan responded. ‘One born secretly for each child, who must be found and bonded. You want to find and bond Kirin Felt?’ Ravan asked, surprised.

‘Exactly! I need protection now, more than ever. An aegis offers the only true protection I can count on.’

Gavriel felt his stomach drop.

‘No offence to you, Gav,’ Leo said over his shoulder without looking at him.

‘None taken,’ Gavriel lied.

‘I think we should go after Felt,’ Leo threw at Gavriel, ‘especially now that Faris is onto us.’

Gavriel blinked in confusion but Leo wasn’t waiting for an answer; he had suddenly swivelled around and levelled his sword at Ravan. The man and boy stood, both looking daunted but not, Gavriel noted, especially surprised.

Leo noted it too.

‘You know my next question,’ he accused.

‘And let me answer it, highness,’ Ravan replied carefully. ‘I am not an aegis and Roddy —’

‘How can I be sure?’

Ravan thought about this. The boy looked terrified, ready to flee. ‘You can’t. But I doubt very much that we’d have risked walking into your midst.’

Leo regarded Ravan without speaking. In the silence, Roddy sank to the ground, holding his head between his knees.

Gavriel held his breath but his old friend finally lowered the sword. ‘You’re right,’ Leo admitted and rubbed at his head. He looked ill too. ‘You wouldn’t have risked it. But we now know we have Faris and potentially Felt. Felt won’t know we’re coming so he’s the better option.’

Gavriel’s already diminishing tolerance gave up. ‘Leo, this is —’

The king raised his hand. ‘So why did you come here?’ he suddenly challenged the pair before him.

Ravan glanced down at Roddy. Again Gavriel sensed, rather than understood, the slight tension between the pair. The man was, he was sure, deferring to the child. ‘In a way, your majesty, it does involve the question of an aegis.’

‘What?’ Gavriel and Leo said together, both astonished.

Ravan took a moment to gather his thoughts. ‘Actually, it’s Roddy who should tell this.’ He glanced again at the child and nodded. ‘He was there from the beginning. But he doesn’t look to be in any shape to talk right now.’

‘What’s wrong with him?’ Leo demanded.

‘He’s been through a great deal. I suppose he’s tired, relieved, frightened. Perhaps I should tell you what I know.’

‘Go ahead,’ Leo suggested.

Ravan nodded. ‘After Clovis and Roddy were saved from the fire, returned from death, both Roddy and I witnessed a man being bonded. That’s one of the reasons that Clovis is dead.’

Leo sat down again. Gavriel remained standing but stepped a little closer, not sure where Ravan was going.

‘The man who was bonded is called Greven,’ Ravan continued.

‘Wait! Was this man a leper?’ Leo interrupted.

Ravan nodded. ‘It is the same Greven you know, even though he no longer shows any sign of his sickness. The leprosy was the sign, you see.’

‘I can’t believe it,’ Leo finally said, his voice tight. ‘We were with him in the forest. Lily doesn’t know, I’m sure of it.’

‘More to the point,’ Gavriel continued, suddenly feeling chilled, ‘who bonded him?’

Leo’s eyes blazed with a new fire. ‘Indeed, that is the most important question. If not me or Loethar, who?’

‘Loethar?’ Ravan replied, taken aback.

‘Is Valisar,’ Leo answered, the words coming out as though they were dirty in his mouth.

Ravan said nothing but Gavriel could all but see the wheels turning in the strange man’s mind. The silence lengthened between them and finally Ravan nodded, as though accepting the logic of the incredible claim. ‘There is another Valisar on the loose, you could say, your majesty,’ Ravan began quietly. ‘In my former guise I kept an eye on him these last ten anni.’

Gavriel watched Leo’s expression droop. In the lamplight he looked even more grey. It took no more than a heartbeat for him to work it out, far quicker than Gavriel could. ‘Piven?’ Leo whispered and Gavriel felt like a blade had been stuck in his gut. Surely not?

But Ravan nodded.

‘You’re sure,’ Leo insisted, his voice hoarse. ‘He’s mute, he’s lost in his mind, he’s … ’

‘He is whole, your majesty,’ Ravan insisted. ‘You must forget the little boy you knew. He is now a strapping youth with anger in his soul. According to Roddy, he had both Clovis and Sergius killed.’

At the mention of the second name Gavriel saw Ravan’s composure slip for the first time.

‘Sergius?’ Gavriel asked. ‘Should we know him?’

‘Perhaps not, my lord,’ Ravan replied. ‘But Sergius was not only my friend, he was also the most loyal of servants to the Crown. He was dedicated to the cause of the Valisars.’

‘And yet I don’t even know his name,’ Leo challenged.

‘You would have, had he survived. He lived as a hermit on the western coast but he was known to both your fathers. He was a wielder of magic. He made me.’

‘Made you?’ Gavriel exclaimed. ‘What? So your presence in the palace was contrived?’

The man shook his head. ‘I am yet to discover what my role is. I was Loethar’s companion and I loved him. I knew nothing else. But I loved Sergius more. He was my true friend and he gave me to Loethar. I reported back to Sergius on the palace intrigues.’

‘You were a spy?’ Leo asked, incredulous.

‘Of sorts, yes. With Valisar interests at heart. I didn’t know Loethar was Valisar, of course.’

‘Incredible!’ Gavriel remarked. ‘You were Freath in bird form.’

The set of Leo’s mouth told him the king didn’t appreciate the mention of the old manservant. ‘Piven …’ he murmured. ‘Piven was supposed to be an orphan that my parents took pity on. It was true they doted upon him but —’

‘Another purposeful secret, no doubt,’ Gavriel interrupted bitterly.

‘They doted on him, your majesty, because he was their true son, as you were. The Legate is right. Piven’s lack of genuine royal status as far as the barbarians were concerned is what saved him — that and Loethar’s genuine fondness for the boy.’

‘Are you serious?’

‘About what, highness? Piven’s legality or Loethar’s fondness?’ He shrugged. ‘Loethar liked Piven but if he’d known his true heritage, he would have been put to the sword, I can assure you ofthat. And Piven is Valisar. Don’t doubt it. He has successfully trammelled Greven. He hacked off Greven’s hand, cooked it and ate some and instantly Greven fell under his control.’

Gavriel listened in silent revulsion. But while Leo’s mouth twisted at the mention of the brutality, Gavriel could see the king’s fascination had only deepened.

‘And you know it worked?’

Ravan shrugged. ‘All too well. Greven is being commanded against his will. He slaughtered Clovis, who was unarmed, and he threw Sergius off a cliff.’

‘But Greven is an old man,’ Gavriel said, desperate to discredit the tale.

Ravan shook his head. ‘The Valisar Legacy has made him incredibly strong. Piven is untouchable, and his arrogance and confidence continue to heighten.’

‘Where is he?’

‘We dared not give chase. We needed to find you, your highness, to warn you that he wants to kill you.’

‘Why?’ Leo looked aghast. ‘I’m his brother. We are both Valisar.’

‘He hates you for leaving him at the palace.’

‘Leaving him?’ Leo sounded shocked. ‘I … but I had no choice.’

‘He doesn’t care,’ Ravan said. ‘He is suffused by a madness — revenge. He plans to kill both you and Loethar.’

‘Where do you think he’ll go first?’ Gavriel asked. ‘Does he know where Leo is?’

Ravan shook his head. ‘I don’t believe so, although I’m guessing, my lord. The palace, I imagine, will lure him. He intends to rule.’

Gavriel sighed. ‘Well,’ he said into the tense silence, ‘he’s not going to find us here tonight. I don’t know about everyone else but I need to sleep and ponder all of today’s events. You are both welcome to stay here — in safety — and tomorrow morning wecan discuss the best course of action. Is that all right, your majesty?’

Leo’s lips thinned but he nodded. ‘Fine. I suppose we can’t achieve much right now anyway. And I do feel strangely exhausted. Too much to think about probably.’

‘Well, you get some rest. I’ll take first watch.’

Leo stood and stretched. ‘There are things I want to think over. I will want to speak with you at first light, Ravan. You and the boy.’

‘I’m up with the birds, highness,’ Ravan quipped, but no one smiled.

8

Ravan and Roddy appreciated the blankets that Gavriel found for them but they preferred to sleep in the open, well away from the awning of timber that the king had retired beneath. The night had become so still that only an owl hooting somewhere deep in the distance was a giveaway that another living creature was awake.

‘I’m too frightened to sleep,’ Roddy admitted in the tiniest of whispers.

‘He won’t come after you tonight. I promise. Besides, I won’t let anyone touch you.’

‘Does he suspect?’

‘I don’t know. He clearly wasn’t feeling entirely well but he also wasn’t registering the presence of your magic. If you could hurl fireballs, or possessed the strength of ten men, or even if you could run as fast as I you might be more tempting. Being Vested doesn’t mean that you are an aegis, Roddy. What’s more, if you were one, surely the king would have known it immediately.’

‘Don’t forget Greven lived alongside Piven all that time. And this Kilt Faris they speak about had been living with the king for many anni, hadn’t he?’

‘Yes.’

‘So obviously with real strength of will it can be overcome. It was awful. I thought I was being sucked into a dark hole. I wasfighting it from the moment we stepped within range of the king. Ravan … I think we have to accept I am an aegis. I wanted to be near him and yet I wanted to escape.’

He paused for a long time, and then said, ‘It’s like when I followed Piven even when I didn’t want to. I had no control.’

‘All right, even if I accept that, every aegis is marked. Greven by his leprosy for instance.’

Roddy sighed. ‘And me by my tremor.’

‘You said it was a palsy, that your father had it, that so did his brother.’

‘I lied, Ravan. I was frightened. I don’t even know my father. My mother refused to speak of him. The tremor belongs to me alone — it’s my mark.’

They lay in silence, staring up at the stars, neither daring to speak. Ravan was the first to break the silence, his voice barely above a murmur. ‘In light of that, Cyrena’s instructions make sense now.’

‘Yes. There is someone else who needs me.’

Ravan felt the sorrow bite deep. ‘You don’t have to do anything, Roddy.’

‘I’m afraid I do. Piven is too dangerous.’

‘Well, his brother isn’t exactly what I’d imagined. I rank them both almost equal in how much I don’t want to be near them.’

‘I know. I don’t like the hungry way he looks at me. At least it seems he’s unaware of it. Perhaps he has to come face to face with his true aegis — the one born for him — to really feel the magical connection.’

Ravan sighed. ‘I suppose we have to forgive Leonel. His life has been shaped by events out of his control. But that doesn’t mean we have to give in to him. Sergius is who I trust and he told me to trust Cyrena.’

‘And she told us to head for Lo’s Teeth. Piven knows about her, by the way. He is frightened of her. Why?’

‘I suspect he fears her magic.’

‘Now I understand why you told me not to say anything about Cyrena’s message to us. You chose a good moment to step away.’

‘I didn’t think he’d let us go if he knew we were heading in a different direction. Now I know he won’t let us go at all. He wants an aegis badly enough to eat me this very night.’

‘We should not stay here another moment,’ Ravan said. ‘Quietly now. We leave. They can’t possibly keep up.’

‘The Legate suspected something,’ Roddy warned.

‘That’s right, I did,’ hissed a new voice. ‘And now I know the truth.’

Ravan flinched as out of the dark, able to touch them if he wanted, melted Gavriel de Vis with his bow pulled taut and an arrow pointed directly at Ravan.

‘You’re good, Ravan, but I think I’m better. I’ve had years of training with the Davarigons, after all. Perhaps your bird senses are dulled now that you are a man?’

‘Are you going to kill us?’ Ravan demanded, his voice even.

‘No. Fool that I am, I’m protecting you. Get up and leave.’

‘Leave?’

‘That’s what I said. Hurry up, both of you.’

‘Why?’ Roddy whispered, silently leaping to his feet next to Raven, staring between the two men.

‘Because I don’t like where the king’s thoughts are heading. He may have none of its famed magic but the Valisar blood runs thick through his veins. He’s become as driven and ruthless as his father, his uncle, and even his brother, it seems. So go. Save yourself, Roddy.’

‘But what about —?’

‘Just go. I shall deal with the king’s wrath.’

‘How much did you hear?’ Ravan asked.

‘Enough.’

Ravan looked back at their conspirator in the soft moonlight. He raced back over his conversation with Roddy and realised they’d never mentioned the princess by name or title, and they’dnot said Corbel’s name either. Perhaps Gavriel thought the she they’d been talking about was Cyrena. It was better to keep him confused.

‘Where will you go?’ Gavriel asked.

‘We came here purely to warn Leo of his new enemy.’ Ravan shrugged again. ‘I am following my instincts, my lord, as instructed. We were told to head for the mountains so Lo’s Teeth is where we shall head.’

Gavriel nodded. ‘Look to the Davarigons, they will help. If you mention my name, or that of a woman called Elka, you will be treated as friends. In the meantime I promise the king will have no attempt at you, Roddy, certainly not under my guard. How you choose to use your magic is your business. I will not stand by and watch it stolen from you. My father would turn in his tomb … if he had one.’ His voice was so deeply tinged with sorrow that Ravan stepped forward, his hand held out.

‘Forgive us, my lord, for putting you in this position. We felt it was important that the king know about Piven but …’

‘You did the right thing. Now we are forewarned. So flee. He sleeps now but should he awake I will slow him down.’

Roddy grinned and hugged Gavriel, surprising the Legate. ‘Thank you, my lord. Thank you. And don’t worry about us. You couldn’t catch us even if you wanted to.’

Gavriel, still crookedly smiling from the youngster’s affection, gave a bemused frown. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Watch,’ Roddy whispered and clambered onto Ravan’s back.

Ravan nodded at Gavriel and some unspoken message travelled between them — a mixture of respect and thanks, with a promise to meet again.

‘I will look out for you, my lord. You have my loyalty, even if King Leonel does not.’ He took one quick step, then another, and then they were gone.

Elka had found a deep ditch, a hollow that an old stream had cut into over many anni, before Francham had redirected water as the town had grown.

‘Here?’ he had asked, unable to mask his surprise.

‘No one will see you.’

‘And you trust me?’

‘If I take you into Francham and you’re recognised, we’re in instant trouble.’

‘Oh I agree, and you’re so inconspicuous of course.’ It was not said unkindly — in fact, it sounded almost affectionate. He was charming her! What a rogue. Even so, he didn’t have to try hard. He was good company; she appreciated his sharp intelligence and had grown to understand that he had a grasp of fair play as well as a sense of nobility about him, which was attractive. She really couldn’t help liking the man, which surprised her; when she had argued to save his life she had definitely not expected to enjoy him.

In fact, since they’d fled the camp, she’d begun to accept that the people who were so embracing of the emperor were not wrong about Loethar. Yes, he came from the Steppes and had brutally wrested rule from the rightful kings of the realms. And yes, his methods had been savage. But the fact that he’d stopped all animosity as soon as he believed he had control had impressed her. The ugly overthrow had, by all accounts filtering back into the mountains, been stupendously balanced by the last decade of dignified rule.

‘Here’s my problem, Loethar,’ she had said as they struggled to slowly descend into Francham via difficult terrain, far from what she believed might be an area that Faris’s people would scour. ‘Everything I’ve come to believe about you is suddenly challenged.’

He had not replied immediately, his silence compelling her to explain her remark.

‘As you know we Davarigons keep to ourselves but news obviously finds its way through. Initially we heard such terrible stories that you became almost larger than life itself.’

‘The rampaging monster from the east who eats babies,’ he finished for her.

‘No, who eats kings!’

He had had the grace not to smile but she sensed he wanted to. ‘The stories were true.’

‘What was in your head? The person I accompany now does not match up with that madman. I walk with a sane, insightful …’

‘Handsome?’ he offered.

She ignored the comment. ‘I was going to say calm individual, who shows no sign of the cruelty he was famed for.’

He nodded. ‘The notion of imbibing the magic by drinking the blood of the Valisar king and eating his flesh had haunted me since childhood, since my mother had first whispered the truth of my lineage.’

‘What in Lo’s name would possess her to do that?’

‘Anger. She was a woman used and scorned by King Darros. She raised me to have a burning hate for the Valisars. She insisted I was not a Steppes child. She said I looked different, I was royal, I was from the west. Over and over she taught me that one day I would fight to rule my people, that I would lead an army towards the sunset and take revenge against the throne that ignored my existence.’

‘And you think King Brennus knew about you?’

‘I know he knew,’ Loethar had growled. ‘If he’d only tried to reach out to me, recognise me, I think we might have behaved as brothers and I would have accepted that it was no fault of his that he wore the crown of Penraven.’

‘Why didn’t you extend that generosity to Leo? It is not his fault that he is the son of Brennus, born a prince and raised to be king.’

Loethar had regarded her with a rueful gaze. ‘Because I was a man obsessed ten anni ago. I wanted to punish Penraven for ignoring me. I wanted all the Set to know that it was Penraven’s arrogance that had brought such destruction to their lands.’

‘And now you feel differently?’

He had sighed. ‘The obsession has passed. Now I’m more than just an angry, headstrong leader; I’ve become a good ruler with the respect of the people of this empire. I can make our empire the most powerful region of our world.’

‘And Leo cannot?’

‘Leo is where I was ten anni ago. He’s angry, confused, capable of trying anything to get his hands on that crown because he believes it is his right. That’s how I felt. Except in contrast to me Leo is still a very young man and his youth makes his outlook even more narrow, even more desperate than mine was. I’d already ruled a nation. Leo has been answerable to Faris for all this time.’

‘Not any more, I’d guess.’

‘You’re probably right.’ Loethar had paused, and then said, ‘You know, Faris has been my nemesis for this last decade. He hasn’t been able to outwit me for so long by being a dolt. He’s cunning, wise, patient … I have no doubt that it’s because of him that Leo has had the time to grow up and feel safe, begin to believe in himself as a king. Faris has given him a great gift.’

‘And now Leo wants to take Faris’s life.’

‘So do I.’

‘You know I won’t permit you to trammel anyone.’

‘Not yet.’

‘Never.’

‘Never say never, Elka. Who knows what decisions lie ahead?’ he had said, and smiled at her without guile. She had sensed sadness behind his charm, though, as if he knew something she didn’t.

So, having left Loethar in hiding, she now found herself entering Francham. It was still early and Francham tended to be busiest by night. The smell of baking bread was fresh in the air, though, and too seductive to resist. She followed her nose to the baker, who turned at her early entrance into his shop, just hauling a steaming loaf from his oven.

‘Lo, but that smells good,’ she said, smiling.

‘Stars save me, woman, but you’re big,’ he commented. ‘I nearly dropped the damn bread.’

Elka didn’t take offence. ‘Let me buy it then, if it has my name on it.’

He grinned, reaching for a cloth to wipe at his damp forehead, leaving a trail through the flour that had gathered in a light dusting across his face. Nearby his wife and a youth, perhaps his son, were banging and kneading dough. Behind them she could see two neat rows of small loaves, uniform in size and appearance.

‘I won’t give you this one. It’s too hot and you look like you might want to eat it straight away.’

‘You’re right. You’d better give me another small loaf too for later.’ She dug in her pocket for a couple of coins.

‘What brings you here from Davarigon?’ he said, turning to sort through some money on a plate to find change for her.

‘Nothing important. I felt like a journey.’

‘Are you travelling alone?’

She shook her head and then decided to add some detail just in case. ‘I’m joining a trading caravan later today.’

‘Oh yes, headed where?’

‘They’re going south, I’m told, heading in an easterly direction to Camlet, and then into Vorgaven if I feel like staying with them.’

‘I’ve always promised myself I’d go to Vorgaven one day,’ he said, handing back coins. ‘I hear Port Merivale is a lively spot.’

She gave a soft laugh. ‘I would have thought Francham was lively enough.’

‘Have a drink for me if you make it there,’ he said, giving her a wink.

‘I’ll do that,’ she said, ripping off a small knuckle of the bread, enjoying the crack of its crust and the warmth that it was still protecting. ‘Mmm, delicious,’ she said, chewing off a piece as she turned to leave.

‘Best in the empire,’ the youth remarked and she smiled, noting that he blushed.

‘Oh, by the way, who is a good healer in the town?’ When the baker frowned, she rubbed her belly. ‘Women’s troubles.’ She glanced hopefully at the wife.

The wife nodded. ‘There’s Physic Alpert on main street, although he’s hard to see. There’s always a queue.’

‘Physic Orlem over the town square, by the statue,’ their son offered.

Elka nodded.

‘Wait,’ the baker said. ‘There’s also Janus. He lives on the eastern fringe of town, in a small hut behind the trees that line the roadside.’ Elka noticed the scowl that his wife threw at her husband. ‘Granted, he’s not very popular, but he’s always available. Keeps himself to himself.’ He returned his wife’s glare with a helpless shrug. ‘He could use some business.’

The wife turned to Elka. ‘Just get there early if you decide on him.’

‘Thank you,’ Elka said, slightly bemused, and lifted a hand in farewell. Again the youth blushed. She smiled to herself as she left the shop. Were Davarigons still really that daunting? They’d been travelling into and out of Penraven, moving freely around the empire, for several anni now.

She shook her head and moved off towards the eastern side of the town. This Janus fellow sounded exactly like the sort of person she needed.

She found the hut with little difficulty, but no one answered when she banged on the door. She banged louder to no avail, then looked around for signs of life. Walking quietly around the small property, she found a few chickens who scattered at the sight of her and an old black and white dog curled up in a small patch of early morning sun. It opened the one eye it had and regarded her warily but its quietly thumping tail told her it was not frightened.

‘Hello there, old fellow,’ she said softly and let the animal smell her hand as she crouched down. Its tail beat harder. ‘Where’s your master, eh?’

It yawned and whether it understood or not, it looked towards the back door. She nodded. ‘Inside?’ The dog stretched and let her stroke its belly. ‘Let’s go find him.’

She tapped on the back door but again received no answer. She glanced at the dog, who had now hauled himself to his feet and stood beside her, grinning as some dogs do and wagging its tail. She winked at him and opened the back door. ‘Hello? Anyone home?’

No answer.

The dog pushed past her and she followed it inside, right up to the prone form of what was presumably Physic Janus, snoring in a huge chair. She glanced around, taking in the well-made furniture, but she also noticed dust and grime, the pervading smell of decay and decline and old pots and pans that hadn’t seen a clean in far too long.

She returned her attention to the snoring man. The dog pushed its snout into his hand and then licked it. From somewhere in the depths of sleep the man recognised the familiar sensation and began to rouse himself.

‘Hello, Badger boy,’ he murmured.

‘Physic Janus,’ she said loudly.

His eyes snapped open. ‘Lo come down and take me,’ he slurred. ‘It’s a giant.’

‘Good morning,’ Elka replied, stepping back from the waft of fumes that hit her as he tried to sit up.

She waited while he collected himself. He cleared his throat a few times and tried his best to straighten his straggly grey hair. The doctor stroked the dog’s head and gave a small smile before he stood unsteadily and regarded her through a bleary gaze. He was of medium height, with sunken eyes and a sallow complexion. And he smelled of old liquor and even older food. ‘Should I know you, giant?’

‘Call me Elka. I was given your name only this morning.’

He smiled a loopy smile and then belched, politely covering his mouth. ‘By whom?’

‘The baker.’

‘Ah, Jenfrey. Nice man. Wife’s a bit sour. Probably her gout.’

Elka looked surprised. ‘I didn’t think you were her doctor.’

‘I’m not. But I’d stake my next bottle of Rough on it. Not her first attack I’d suspect but definitely affecting her gait. She’ll need that big toe amputated if she’s not careful.’

Elka frowned. ‘How much Rough have you had this morning, Physic Janus?’

He gave a gust of laughter. ‘Is it morning? Ah yes.’

‘So the drinking began last night?’

‘The drinking began several anni ago, Olka.’

‘Elka,’ she corrected. ‘How long will it take you to sober up?’

‘I hate to be sober.’

‘I am prepared to pay for you to be sober. I need help with some injuries.’

‘You look all right to me. What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing with me. Your help is required for a friend.’ Friend? When had she come to think of Loethar as her friend? And yet the word felt right in her mind.

‘My doctoring skills are not what they used to be.’ He laughed ironically at what Elka supposed was an understatement as he pulled at the dog’s ears.

Badger was enjoying the attention, but Elka was losing patience. ‘What I need most, apart from your ministrations, is your discretion.’

She had his attention now. ‘Well, well. A beautiful, bigbosomed giantess with a secret. How intriguing.’

She raised an eyebrow at his familiarity.

‘Can I count on your tongue not loosening?’

‘Who am I to tell? Few people notice me these days.’ He gestured to the stand of trees through the window that hid hishut. ‘You can see where I choose to live. I’m hardly a sociable sort.’

‘Do we have a deal?’

‘Do we have a patient?’ he enquired archly, making a show of peering around her large frame.

‘He is not here. I will take you to him.’

His gaze narrowed as he considered her. ‘All right. Because you’re the first visitor I’ve had stand in my house in many a moon — and especially because you have magnificent breasts — I’m going to attempt to clean myself up. Why don’t you make us a pot of dinch? Do they have that where you come from?’

She sneered, to cover her astonishment at his directness. ‘Do you have any dinch or a clean pot to make it in?’

He nodded to a small sideboard. ‘I’ll bring out the good stuff. Look in that weaven cupboard.’

She nodded and as he turned to leave her he said over his shoulder, ‘I’ll need it strong.’

Elka busied herself preparing the dinch and was surprised by how quickly he returned. ‘I thought you’d need all day,’ she said, not even trying to disguise the sarcasm.

Janus was in a fresh robe. ‘My last clean one,’ he said, as if reading her thoughts. ‘I was surprised to find it, to be honest.’

‘You should burn the other one,’ Elka remarked.

He nodded. ‘Dinch?’

‘I’ll pour it,’ she said, picking up a cloth to handle the pot. ‘Aren’t you frightened a spark will set off a fire while you’re out cold?’

‘Hasn’t happened yet and it may do me a favour.’

She frowned as she poured the brew into the two beautiful, fragile cups she had found in the cupboard. ‘What about Badger?’

‘He’ll survive, won’t you, boy?’ Janus said, rubbing the dog’s head. ‘He’s not mine, to tell the truth. He just likes it here. If there’s no food in the offing, he goes off elsewhere. I have no idea who else feeds him but as you can see, he does just fine.’ He tooka sip from the cup she pushed towards him and sighed. ‘Well, it’s not a perfect Penraven brew, but it’s not bad at all. Thank you.’

She gave him a soft glare. ‘How do you feel?’

‘Well, I know I’m not sober.’

‘You act as if you are.’

‘I’m a doctor. I should know. Anyway, I’m certainly lucid enough, so tell me about this patient of yours … the friend in need.’

‘He’s on the other side of Francham.’

‘That’s no answer.’

‘It’s all you’re getting.’

‘I see. So he must be someone either very important or someone that others might be looking for.’

‘Or both,’ she offered tartly.

‘Indeed. In fact, I would guess at both. But he’s not Davarigon?’

She shook her head. ‘How much will you charge to come help him?’

‘That depends on what is required.’

‘Are you a surgeon?’

His eyes flashed wide. ‘He’s that injured?’

‘Give me an amount, Janus. One that ensures your lips stay firmly shut.’

He sipped his tea, blowing on it between sips. Finally, he said,'I’ll do it for free if you’ll show me your giant’s ti—’

‘Forget it!’ she bellowed. ‘You’re a waste of my time.’

‘Forgive me, Elka. That was outrageously impolite of me.’

‘You cover your mouth when you belch, you drink from fine porcelain and yet you live like a slob and your mind is even filthier. What kind of contradiction are you?’

He nodded. ‘I deserve that. Again I ask for your forgiveness.’

She gave him a look of disbelief mixed with disdain. ‘I don’t understand you.’

‘Now you know why I am considered worthless in this town.’

‘What happened?’

He sighed, drained his cup. ‘I’ll have another please.’ As she poured, he looked down. ‘Have you heard of the sickness called “sullied tongue"?’

She shook her head, frowning. ‘It sounds like a jest.’

He nodded thoughtfully. ‘It is certainly an affliction that the gods had some fun with.’

Elka caught on. ‘You have this problem?’

‘You’re fast. Yes. I am openly rude to people I least want to offend. I have no control over what I say at times, or any warning.’

‘I’ve never heard of this disease before.’

‘Oh, I’ve met two other cases. One of them was the son of a prosperous merchant turned into a seeming lunatic who wandered from town to town as a beggar. The other was a teacher whose career was cut short by the onset of this disease as he hit his third decade. It seems to afflict men.’

‘And it happens constantly?’

He nodded. ‘I can behave perfectly acceptably most of the time. My affliction is actually rather mild. And yet it is offensive enough to have singled me out for ex-communication. I think the baker takes pity on me because his father and mine were friends. We didn’t exactly grow up together but he knows my outspoken words are never intentional. Again, I apologise for what I said. Being drunk keeps me lucid and my tongue clean. Ironic, eh?’ He paused. ‘Your giant arse must be stunning naked.’

She swung around and gave him a look of total disbelief. He shrugged, his expression one of mortification. ‘I will be apologising constantly if you seriously want to go ahead with your proposition.’

Elka laughed. ‘I’ve got broad shoulders, I’m sure I won’t wilt. How much?’

‘How long will it take?’

She looked doubtful. ‘I can’t say for sure. A day?’

‘Two gold trents,’ he said sharply. ‘That’s robbery.’

‘I’m an opportunist, can’t you tell?’

Elka nodded. Loethar needed help sooner rather than later. ‘All right. We’ll leave now. You’re sure Badger will be all right without you?’

‘Lo, woman! You care more about the dog than me.’ ‘The dog hasn’t tried to steal from me.’ ‘I would like to rub your breas—’

‘Let’s go, Janus!’ she said briskly, cutting him off before he disgraced himself again.

9

Gavriel had deliberately not woken Leo to take over watch but the king had roused himself before dawn and he’d had to come clean with the news.

‘You did what?’ the king replied, a cup of water halfway to his mouth. Leo had heard it the first time, Gavriel knew, but he was making Gavriel repeat it in order to give himself time to digest the repercussions. He’d seen Brennus take an identical approach when his ire was up.

‘I told them to go.’

‘Why would you do that, Gav?’

Gavriel hesitated.

‘Speak plainly,’ Leo urged, his voice horribly cold but calm.

Gavriel scratched his head. ‘Well, they were scared of you. Ravan is no enemy of yours and —’

‘That’s rich, coming from the person who wanted to butcher the bird at the first opportunity,’ Leo cut in quietly.

‘You’ve shown me the error of my ways,’ Gavriel replied equally quietly. ‘If not for your reluctance to kill we would not now have a new ally.’

‘Do you really believe he’s our ally, even after he ran away from us?’

‘I do. Especially now that we have permitted him to go on with his journey … whatever it is.’

‘Not we, Gav. You. You made that decision, against the wishes of your king. I wonder if your father ever defied mine?’

‘We shall never know,’ Gavriel said, keeping his tone even, not at all appreciating the way Leo kept comparing him to his father. ‘But I do know this: I didn’t like the way you looked at that boy, Leo. You don’t need to resort to acts of barbarism to prove your worth as a king. You are Valisar. No one can take that from you.’

If Leo felt any offence it certainly didn’t show. ‘But my throne has been taken from me. And now I learn that perhaps even the crown isn’t mine, that the barbarian warlord is also Valisar and every bit as entitled to wear it as I am. I can’t be sure but I imagine Loethar — my own blood — would still kill me if he could, and now I discover I have a blood brother who also wants to kill me. And I have access to protection from death, but you, my loyal Legate and champion, is steadfastly denying me that protection.’ Leo shook his head, then took a deep breath and stood. ‘I don’t need you any more, Gavriel. Your stupid Davarigon bitch has defied me and now you have blatantly defied my orders, believing you know better. My father would have had your father cleaved in two for less.’ He laughed once, bitterly, not even ashamed for such a barb. ‘Except your father was loyal in a way you clearly cannot be. He always did what my father asked of him.’

‘Yes,’ Gavriel said coldly. It was taking all of his will not to strike Leo for the way he spoke about Elka or jested at his father’s fate. Only the thought that Regor de Vis would turn in his grave if he knew his son had behaved so ignobly stayed his hand. ‘Perhaps my father would be alive today if he hadn’t. And my twin brother might be living alongside me too, and I wouldn’t have lost a decade of my life. The de Vis family has served yours faithfully, Leo, but it seems our role is to just keep on giving while you Valisars keep on taking. You’re a king, damn you. Act it! Stop bleating about who has done what to you and why your lifeis so full of woe. You’ve done nothing but cringe in the forest, Leo. Do you even really want to be king?’

Leo had fallen ominously quiet, staring at Gavriel with an undisguised rage. ‘You know I do,’ he growled.

‘Then take the crown! Stop hiding, stop blaming other people for everything that’s happened, and take responsibility for yourself. You don’t have to chop the hand off a child and eat it to protect yourself. Your father didn’t!’

‘My father was not at war.’

‘Neither are you.’

‘You heard what they said. Piven is hunting me.’

‘And Loethar has been hunting you for ten anni and didn’t find you because you were cunning and you were patient … and because you had allies like Faris and Freath. But you killed Freath because of some obsessively misplaced sense of duty that your mother would turn in her grave to learn of and you’ve driven away Faris because he rightly believes you want to maim him and turn him into a jabbering puppet. I would run too, Leo. I don’t blame Faris one bit. And I’ll be damned if I was going to let you hurt a ten-anni-old in the vain hope that he might make you invincible. The child may have been Vested but that doesn’t mean he was an aegis.’

‘We didn’t know that he wasn’t,’ Leo hissed.

‘That’s true. But I’ll sleep more soundly knowing we didn’t hack him to bits only to learn he wasn’t. This is turning into a madness!’

‘You don’t seem to think Loethar was mad.’

‘I am not loyal to Loethar. What I think of him is irrelevant. What I think of you affects me profoundly.’

‘Well, Gav, I think you’ll have to get used to the notion that in order for me to claim my throne I need the same protection my rivals have. I suspect Loethar will have his aegis soon enough — despite what you think about the Davarigon’s intentions — and we already know that Piven has his. Are you happy to have me that vulnerable?’

Gavriel took a deep breath. Then he said quietly, ‘Leo, you were born vulnerable! You were Crown Prince. History attests that there is always going to be someone who wants that crown. You wanted yours handed down on a golden plate. Well, that didn’t happen. Another Valisar wanted it. Crowns are won and crowns are fought for, Leo. My father died trying to protect it for his king. Your father died trying to give you a chance to claim it. So claim it! Fight for it. And don’t give me that petulant story that no one’s fighting fair. Life isn’t fair! Lo knows I’ve learned that the hard way. Neither of us has lived a fair life but it’s no use you bleating about it. But what you are suggesting is morally reprehensible. Stealing a child’s life — or anyone else’s, for that matter — cannot be justified by your wanting the crown. Killing to defend oneself or in war is one thing; killing in cold blood because you want something that another has is just plain murder.’

‘I wasn’t planning to kill anyone.’

‘Tell Roddy that — it would be living death and you know it.’

Leo walked away and Gavriel waited. He watched the king he had loved, the friend he would have given his life to protect, turn and face him with a set to his jaw that Gavriel recognised with dismay. He had lost the argument.

‘I need the protection that is my birthright. If Cyrena thought that trammelling was wrong she would not have made it possible when Cormoron first walked this land. This, right now, is probably why such a magic as the aegis was given to our family, to ensure that one of the four of us would hold the crown.’

Gavriel felt his throat close. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘That’s right, you didn’t know about my sister, did you, Gav?’ Leo didn’t wait for Gavriel to answer. ‘Oh yes, my father made provision for her. I don’t know how or where. All I know is that her death was a sham for the sake of Loethar’s horde.’

‘But she’d be only ten,’ Gavriel argued. Suddenly Ravan’s and Roddy’s curious conversation began to make sense. They musthave known about the princess — that’s who they’d been talking about. They were travelling to the mountains for her! And if she was there, perhaps Corbel was with her. His heart leapt with excitement but an inner voice told him not to share any of this with Leo, who was still talking.

‘… nevertheless is still an heir and who knows how empowered she might be? She might be the most powerful of all. And as long as I have nothing to protect me, I am the least able to contest that crown and yet I believe in my heart that I am the right sovereign. I am the eldest child of Brennus. I am Leonel, Ninth of the Valisars. It is not my fault or my concern that my grandfather laid his seed in the stony ground of the Likurian Steppes or that his crown passed to his younger son, my father. The way the line has gone is not my doing. But I am the result. I am the king. I believe this with all of my heart.’

‘So do I, Leo.’

‘Then fight for me, not against me!’

‘I will not fight for you if it means butchering another person in cold blood. You don’t need me to do that.’

And now Leo turned his suddenly cold blue eyes on his longtime friend. ‘I don’t need you at all, Gavriel de Vis.’

Gavriel stared at him in disbelief. It felt like an eternity passed between them. He felt short of breath and as though his heart was beating erratically.

‘So be it,’ he finally said. ‘I will take my leave.’

Leo smirked. ‘Make good distance. Next time I see you, I will kill you, Gavriel de Vis.’

‘I know you will try,’ Gavriel said. He picked up his weapons and bowed. ‘Your majesty,’ he said solemnly before he turned and walked away, not once looking back. He did not want his king to see his tears.

They found Loethar where she’d left him; she really wouldn’t have been surprised to find him gone but her heart leapt to seehim watchful but nevertheless patiently awaiting her return. He seemed to guess her thoughts.

‘I made a promise,’ he said with a resigned smile. She grinned. ‘And you must be one of the horses she went off to purchase,’ he said to Janus, who frowned and cast a glance at Elka.

‘This is Physic Janus.’

‘Forgive me, Janus. As you can see I’m bored and resorting to childish humour.’

Janus hadn’t stopped frowning. ‘You know my name, may I know yours?’ Loethar glanced at Elka enquiringly. In the hesitant pause, Janus followed his line of sight back to the giantess. ‘You’re being very mysterious, Elka.’

‘I have to be,’ she said to him before looking back at Loethar. ‘I think we can trust him.’

Loethar shrugged and winced. ‘This is your idea.’

She sighed. ‘Janus, you don’t recognise him?’

Janus regarded his patient. ‘He looks like a horse’s arse. Sorry.’

Loethar blinked and when Elka gave a small chuckle he turned his gaze back to her in a soft glare of astonishment.

‘I’ll explain,’ she said, enjoying his confusion. ‘Janus has a problem.’

‘I’ll say,’ Loethar replied. ‘You called me handsome just hours earlier.’

‘I didn’t call you handsome. You did,’ she corrected. ‘Janus has an affliction that compels him to say outrageous remarks. It doesn’t prevent him from being a good physic.’

‘And you know this how?’ Janus asked, smiling softly at her.

‘I know,’ she replied, turning to the physic. ‘I trust you with our emperor.’

‘Emp—?’ Janus’s head swung back, his expression shocked, as he looked at Loethar. ‘No, it can’t be.’

‘I’m embarrassed and disappointed to say it is,’ Loethar replied. ‘I am Elka’s prisoner.’

‘She has wonderful breasts,’ Janus said. ‘Forgive me,’ he added, looking instantly contrite.

‘She does. You’re forgiven,’ Loethar said.

‘Right, gentlemen,’ Elka said, her tone chilly. ‘Shall we focus on the task at hand?’

‘I’d like to focus on your arse,’ Janus remarked, looking at her with an expression of fresh mortification.

Loethar laughed openly. ‘Marvellous!’

‘Janus, I’ll find a way to close your mouth even if I have to stitch your lips together,’ Elka said sweetly.

Janus pointed at her, his expression a mixture of remorse and defiance. ‘It comes on especially strong when I’m nervous and sober. You were warned.’

She nodded. ‘That’s true, and I will bear the repercussions of my own decision. Can’t you try and concentrate on something else? Like your patient?’

‘This is not a good place to be doing an examination,’ Janus remarked, looking around. ‘My hut —’

‘Is too dangerous,’ Elka finished. ‘I’ll carry Loethar slightly higher up into those trees for coverage. We can’t go any higher, though. He has been suffering from the sickness of height and is barely recovered from one bout.’

The doctor nodded. ‘I suffer the same myself.’

‘All right then. Let’s get to those trees.’

Later, with the doctor finally sitting back on the ground and after much peering and prodding by him and cursing by Loethar, Janus took a deep breath. ‘All right. We have bones to set, cuts to stitch and bruises that can use some unguent.’

‘Do you need my help?’

‘Not really. You’re a distraction for my foul mouth.’ She couldn’t help but smile. ‘And it’s hard enough concentrating when I know who I’m working on. How has it come about that I am repairing our emperor?’

Elka smiled. ‘It’s a long story,’ she said, just as Loethar said the same thing. She threw an amused glance at him, which he returned.

‘Well, you can tell me all about it in between more curses because what I’m about to do is not going to be without discomfort,’ Janus said to Loethar.

‘I understand.’

Janus glanced at Elka. ‘Just light me a fire and get some water on to boil. I shall take it from there. I want to feel your tits on my —’

And to the roar of Loethar’s amusement, Elka stomped away to find kindling.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.