Donnel's Promise (15 page)

‘No one can be strong all the time.’

‘He does try to help me, and Muir as well. Sometimes there seems no end to the things they think I must learn.’

Risha made a mental note to speak to both men.

‘And Donnel has helped me, too, more than I can repay.’ The girl gave a watery smile. ‘I hope he and Muir are reconciled.’

A frown tugged between Risha’s brows. ‘What do you mean?’

Margetta waved a hand as if to brush the matter aside. ‘They fell out when the invitation to your wedding arrived and Donnel refused a second time to let Muir go to your aid.’

How easily such details fell from the girl’s lips, as if they were unimportant.

A tap on the door precluded any response Risha might have made. Croft glanced through the spy-panel. ‘It’s your friend Emett and some ladies with food.’

Margetta sprang up. ‘I must tidy myself. He doesn’t like it when I cry.’

As she disappeared into the adjoining chamber, Risha met Croft’s eyes. His brows rose a fraction. ‘Shall I let them in?’

She nodded.

Emett’s smile slipped as he looked around. ‘Where’s Margetta?’

‘She’ll be back in a moment. Emett, could you tell her I’ve gone to find Muir? And give us directions to the aviary?’

The serving girl led them to the kitchen courtyard and offered hurried instructions.

Risha waited till she’d returned indoors before glancing at Croft. ‘Did you hear?’

‘Every word.’

‘I hadn’t realised what a state she’s in. I know it must have been hard, but she needs to get out; it’s
claustrophobic
in those rooms. She should be seen in the town and get out into the countryside, go riding perhaps. She needs—’

‘What she needs is a mother.’

Risha stared at him.

He shrugged. ‘All she knew in her childhood was mad Somoran and her guards. She’d barely begun to settle in LeMarc when she found herself facing a siege, then before you know it she’s back here and expected to play the grown-up lady of the castle in the midst of all manner of mayhem. Little wonder she’s a bit flighty. She needs a shoulder to cry on and a good stiff talking to in equal measure.’

Risha was silenced. Croft was right.

The sun was hot within the confines of stone, the small courtyards they passed through airless. Croft paused twice for directions, gaining them curious stares. They’d become thoroughly lost by the time a harried-looking Muir caught up with them.

‘You’ve a unique approach to keeping a low profile,’ he said. ‘Emett said you’d gone to the aviary.’

‘We were hoping to find you but we seem to have lost our way. Where are Fenn and Nolan?’

‘They’ve gone back to the inn. I promised I’d see you safely there. After this morning’s debacle we might aim to make your departure a little less conspicuous than your arrival.’

The postern gate opened into a ramshackle warren of alleys that reminded Risha of the poorer parts of Caledon. Muir relocked the gate behind them. ‘There are three ways into the castle, and a fourth you should hope you’re never called on to use.’

He steered them into a tiny passage between buildings so cramped they seemed almost to touch overhead. In the lane beyond women were shelling nuts on the paving. As they passed one got up to trail behind.

‘Hazelnuts, fresh shelled?’ Her voice was grainy and low.

Muir gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

‘Not even marchpane?’

Muir turned. The woman smiled. She looked little older than Risha, but her mouth was empty of teeth.

‘I’ve no coin on me.’

Shrugging, she took a folded note from her skirt and held it out. ‘I’ll trust you for it.’

Muir slipped it inside his jacket.

‘Later then?’ Without waiting for a response she sashayed away.

Risha watched her go. ‘Who was that?’

‘No one.’

‘She’s very pretty for no one. Except for her teeth.’

He glanced at her. ‘Somoran’s guardsmen knocked them out. She was younger than you.’

‘Why?’

‘Now’s not the time.’

Croft cleared his throat. ‘We’ve got company. Been trailing us for a while.’

A boy stood at the corner of the lane. Risha’s mouth fell open. ‘Clik!’

His eyes flicked from her to Muir.

‘Join us,’ Muir said.

The boy grinned and trotted closer. He was cleaner than when she’d last seen him, and fatter, though not by much.

Risha took him by the shoulders. ‘It’s wonderful to see you, Clik. You’ve grown so tall!’

He came nearly to her shoulder, and stretched a finger more at her words.

Risha laughed and dropped a kiss on his cheek. He smelled of beeswax and horses. ‘How in Tor’s breath are you here?’

The boy’s eyes slid to Muir. The man shrugged. ‘I went looking for him. It didn’t seem right to leave him on his own.’

She smiled her gratitude before turning back to the boy. ‘Are you happy here?’

Clik made the sound in his throat that had earned his name, followed by a low whinnying rumble.

‘He works in the stables,’ Muir said. ‘He seems to like it.’

‘I’m glad. Do they treat you well?’

The boy’s head went sideways. He pointed to Muir with a lift of his chin and shrugged a shoulder.

‘Muir does, but not everyone. I can imagine.’ She thought of the guardsmen they’d met.

‘It was Clik who fetched me when you were detained at the gate,’ Muir said. ‘Who knows how long it would have been before I got wind of it otherwise.’

Risha huffed a breath. ‘I thought it was coincidence.’ She looked at Clik. ‘You’ve saved me again.’

He ducked his chin, looking pleased.

‘You’re lucky I was in the stables where he could
find me. Were you waiting for us just now?’ Muir asked the boy.

Clik nodded.

‘You know you have to be careful using the postern.’

Clik’s raised brows and pursed lips spoke as clearly as any number of words.

Risha hid her smile. ‘Clik, this is my friend Croft. He’s travelled with me halfway across Elgard.’ To Croft she added, ‘Clik saved us from Somoran’s soldiers, and helped me save Muir’s life.’

‘A friend of mine then, if he’ll have me,’ Croft said.

Clik eyed him politely without indicating his decision either way.

‘Come if you like, Clik,’ Muir offered.

The boy twitched a skinny shoulder and drifted off down the street.

‘Will he not walk with us?’ Risha asked.

Muir shook his head. ‘He’s still not used to being with people.’

‘Do they treat him well in the castle?’

‘Some,’ he conceded. ‘A few treat him as a pet, others think him less than human because he can’t talk. I’d initially thought to keep him with me, but he prefers horses to people. Officially he’s my groom. Being useful makes him feel safe I think.’

A little of the darkness had lifted from his face as he spoke. Risha touched his arm. ‘Thank you, Muir.’

He studied her in silence before offering a reply. ‘As you said, I have a debt, one I’m happy to repay.’

‘Even so, I appreciate it. You know it occurs to me that Clik might like to learn to write. It would give him another way to communicate.’

He looked startled. ‘I never thought of it.’

An idea uncurled in her mind. ‘Margetta might teach him if you haven’t the time. She taught Emett, that first summer at the citadel. It helped her settle.’ She paused to follow her train of thought. ‘It would be good for her to do something practical, and to be seen doing it. Have schools been set up for orphans from Somoran’s time? And almshouses and hospices? Margetta would make a good patron, and it would give her a purpose. Perhaps you might—’

‘I’d forgotten how you like to organise people,’ Muir said.

She felt deflated. ‘It would be better for her than sitting all day in her rooms.’

‘It would. I didn’t say it was a bad thing.’ He smiled. ‘How you survived a winter in the marsh with nothing to do I can’t recall.’

‘I can. I learnt to fish with traps and a line, and to pickle eels, and to plait twine from marsh grass and speak
Nan-Irem
— enough at least to make myself understood. Sair tried to teach me weaving but I never mastered it. She did teach me how some of her tonics were brewed but I doubt I’d find the ingredients anywhere beyond the marsh.’

Muir had begun to chuckle.

‘What?’

‘Nothing.’ He shook his head, his smile fading. ‘I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve laughed since I arrived here.’

He no longer looked in any danger of it. She wished she might call his smile back but the moment was gone. ‘Will Donnel not release you? You’ve been here two years. Surely—’

‘Apparently not.’ He reverted abruptly to her earlier topic. ‘Margetta is doing all right. This latest uprising, coming so soon after Raen’s death, has knocked her, but she’s stronger than she looks.’ They had reached Cobblers Lane. ‘I’ll leave you here. If you want me, send Clik. I’ll ask him to wait nearby.’ He turned to go.

She called him back. ‘Muir.’ She hesitated. ‘It’s good to see you.’

His mouth lifted at one corner. ‘Aye.’

Then he was gone.

Croft sucked his teeth. ‘Seems a good man.’

She didn’t answer. The sight of Muir striding away had awakened a pain in her chest she’d thought long buried.

14

Fratton's welcome

 
‘O
ur priority is keeping you safe,' Nolan said. ‘With Vormer controlling Havre and Fratton still unstable, LeMarc is our best option. I propose we ride south.'

‘Lyse and Ciaran, and my father, are the ones at risk. That makes their safety our priority,' Risha said tartly. ‘The birds Muir sent are a start, but we can't be sure any of the messages will reach Donnel.' She fixed Nolan with a firm look. ‘When I return to LeMarc I plan to do so with Donnel and Lyse at my side.'

Nolan sighed. ‘Risha, I don't see what more we can do. We don't know where your father is, or how fast he's travelling. I doubt we could catch him even if we did.'

‘I might, though,' Fenn said. ‘Canoes as well as barges run the river; I saw several on the way up. If I could acquire one, and left today, I'd reach Caledon tomorrow night or the day after. I could be in Leighton before Donnel gets that far west.'

‘If he gets that far west,' Croft muttered.

Nolan ignored him. ‘It's feasible,' he said, ‘but even
reaching the north downs before him, you'd be guessing his route.' He tapped his fingers on his thigh. ‘If it were me, I'd cross the river and approach Elion from the west. Less expected.'

‘That would take him within a few days' ride of Bray,' Risha said.

‘No use mulling on what isn't.' Fenn began gathering her gear. ‘We're agreed then? At the least it gives us another chance to get word to Donnel.'

Risha said nothing. Fenn finished organising her scant possessions and placed her work-hardened hands on Risha's shoulders. ‘Till next time, my lady.'

‘Take care, Fenn.'

‘Always. See that you do the same.' She turned to Nolan. ‘You'll come with me to the docks? If I can't buy or hire a craft—'

‘I'll come,' Nolan confirmed. ‘Croft, wait with Risha. And no wandering off: I want to find you here when I return.'

Her father had once said something similar. She pictured him, fierce as a bird of prey, and as strong and proud. She'd last seen him standing on LeMarc's jetty as her ship sailed for Havre. And had thought to find him there when she returned.

Barely twenty minutes had passed before there was a light tap on the door. Croft came to his feet, eyes wary. ‘Too quick.'

Risha edged the door open. It was Clik, rather than Nolan, who waited outside. ‘Come in,' she said.

The boy shook his head and beckoned.

‘Where to? Did Muir send you?'

He shook his head a second time, gesturing more urgently.

‘You want us to come?'

He slipped past and gathered her saddlebags from the floor.

‘Did Nolan send you, Clik?'

He made a sharp downward action with his fist, then raised a finger to his lips, head cocked toward the stairs. Croft steered Risha toward the door. ‘Do as he says.'

‘You think—'

‘Questions later.' He pushed her after Clik out into the hall.

‘What about—' She broke off as a crash of shattering crockery sounded downstairs. Raised voices carried up the stairs.

‘Here, leave that!'

Another crash.

‘You've no right to barge in here! We're a reputable business. We don't just—'

‘Fetch his wife.'

‘You leave her out of this!'

‘You listen to me, old man—'

Croft nudged Risha into the room opposite and closed the door behind them. Crossing the floor in three strides he glanced sidelong from the window. ‘How many?'

Clik held up three fingers. Croft grunted softly and slid his dagger from its sheath. Clik pointed to the window and held up a single finger, then at the floor and held up two.

‘Two inside, one out? That improves the odds.'

‘Do you know who they are?' Risha asked.

Clik shook his head.

‘You think we need to find out?' Croft asked softly, his eyes on Risha, grimacing slightly in response to her nod. ‘Makes it a little trickier.'

There was a sound from the stairs: footsteps and a muffled sob. Croft's eyes narrowed.

‘Hot water.' Dora's voice shook as she called. There was a tap and they heard a door open. ‘There's no one in. Garv told you—'

‘Shut it,' a voice hissed.

‘No bags either.'

‘Check the other room.'

Risha tensed but the steps moved past to the room Nolan and Croft were sharing. The door creaked back and hit the wall. There was a grumble of discontent. ‘Couple of saddlebags.' Footsteps sounded through the wall. ‘Skep said the woman and pretty boy went out carrying bags. Where's the girl?'

‘Might have gone out after. You know anything about that, grandma?'

The woman's cry was overridden by a harsh laugh. ‘Let's help her remember.'

Risha felt Croft tense beside her. Dora cried out again and he moved. Pulling back the bedclothes he made a body-shaped mound of pillows, threw a blanket over the top, and gestured for Clik to slide beneath the bed. Pushing Risha behind him, he backed up against the wall beside the door, then coughed. Within moments the door eased open. There was a pause then a stocky figure sidled towards the bed. Light glinted from a blade as he reached to pull the blankets away. Croft was behind him in two steps. There was a harsh, guttural noise and the man's hands flew up. Croft kicked
his feet from beneath him and towed him back behind the door. Risha tried to pretend she hadn't seen the thread of red around his neck or the bulge of his eyes. Croft straightened, the garrotte disappearing within his jacket, replaced by his dagger.

‘Anything?' Footsteps approached along the hall.

Croft met the newcomer full-on as he rounded the doorway, driving him back across the hall and through the open door opposite. They fell with a crash.

Dora stumbled from the neighbouring room, hair and clothing in disarray. Seeing Risha she fumbled to close the gaping rent in her bodice. Legs thrashed in the room beyond. A boot connected with the door and sent it crashing back against the wall. Croft was on top but he'd lost his knife. The intruder flung his knee up and out and Croft was thrown sideways, his assailant rolling after, taking the pair out of sight.

Risha's breath rasped in her throat. In two strides she was across the hall. The intruder had the better of Croft. He was tall and heavily built, his greasy hair pulled back from his face, blood smeared across his mouth. He had Croft by the hair and was pounding his skull against the floor. The knife lay near the wall. Risha lunged toward it. Too late. The man saw her and, following her focus, the knife. With a snarl he sprang towards the blade. Risha reached it first, but he was on her before she could turn, his fingers like an iron shackle around her wrist. She cried out as he slammed her against the wall then wrenched her arm back and up.

There was a crack. The blade dropped from her hand, the man's weight pressing heavily against her. Another wet thud, then a third, and a sharp acrid reek. Risha
scrabbled sideways, kicking herself free of her attacker. Her wrist ached. She pressed her back against the wall, legs drawn up to her chest. Croft's knife lay within reach. She snatched it up with her left hand, fingers clenched to cramping.

Croft was lying on the floor two paces away. Dora stood between them, her arms limp at her sides. There was a strong smell of piss and sweat.

Risha drew a shuddering breath and turned the knife toward their attacker. The blade shook. He was lying face down, very still. She kicked him, knife ready. His body rolled an inch then subsided. She looked at Dora.

‘I couldn't have him hurt you as well.'

Risha's eyes travelled down Dora's arm to her hand. Her fingers were locked around the handle of a heavy stone ewer. Risha's eyes flickered to their assailant. Something wet was beginning to thicken in his hair and darken the floor around his head.

She wiped her face. Her sleeve came away bloodied. Croft groaned and rolled sideways, then burst upright, eyes wild. He stared around, took a single wobbling step, and sat down again. ‘That's all right,' he mumbled, to no one in particular.

There was a scratch at the doorframe. It was Clik, his face unreadable.

‘Better warn us if anyone else comes,' she said.

Croft cursed and half rose, managing the few steps to their assailant's side. Kneeling, he checked the pulse in the man's neck. ‘Won't be getting any answers out of this one. You all right?'

‘Thanks to Dora.'

Croft rose unsteadily to his feet. The woman had
begun to shake. Taking her by the shoulders, he turned her so that she couldn't see the man's body. ‘You did well there. Do you know them at all?'

Dora shook her head.

‘Right. Better check downstairs.'

‘Garv!' She looked stricken and tried to escape Croft's hands but he held her firm.

‘You can't go down till we know it's safe.'

She slumped then, tears flowing. Croft patted her back. ‘You're all right now. We'll check on Garv in a minute.'

She hiccoughed to a stop. ‘That … is he …?'

‘Aye, he is, and good riddance.' He sat her gently in the room's only chair, turning it first so that the body lay out of her line of vision. ‘You did the right thing here, no question. Don't you ever worry about that. But if you need to explain to anyone what happened, you can bend the story a little, make out you were downstairs the whole time. Understand me?'

She only stared at him, eyes dark, still coming to terms with the sudden twist her life had taken.

‘You're innocent of this, is what I'm saying,' Croft said. ‘I'd have done it myself, good as.'

Risha pushed herself up against the wall.

Croft looked over at Clik. ‘Lad, can you go to the top of the stairs and listen. Let me know what you hear. I'm a little unsteady but I'll be all right in a minute.'

The boy ducked his head and disappeared.

‘We need to get away from here,' Croft said quietly.

Risha nodded.

‘I don't expect there's any more below, they'd have heard the ruckus and come up. But according to Clik
earlier, there's at least one watching outside.'

‘We should warn Nolan.'

‘Aye, if we can find him. Failing that happening by chance he might have to do for himself. We need to get somewhere safe.' He pressed a palm against his skull, breathing hard.

‘Are you all right?'

‘Feel like I've been kicked by a mule.' He ran his hand slowly around to the back of his head, wincing several times. ‘Think you can trust them up at the castle?'

‘Some of them.' She thought it through. ‘Those men were looking for me.'

‘Seems that way.'

Their eyes met. Clik reappeared, touched an ear and shook his head.

‘All right then.' Croft straightened. ‘Think you could hand me my knife?'

She did as he asked, alarmed at this admission of unsteadiness.

‘I'll find, Garv. You stay with Dora — not here. Top of the stairs maybe.'

Risha swallowed as several scenarios unfolded in her mind. They were an odd grouping as they made their uncertain way along the hall, Croft leaning on Clik's shoulder, Risha and Dora shuffling arm in arm behind.

When they reached the stairs Risha sank down onto the top step. Her wrist throbbed. She licked her lip and tasted blood. Dora leant her head against the wall and closed her eyes; Risha would have liked to do the same but didn't dare. In future, she decided, her weapons would be at her side rather than bundled up in their luggage. Scant use they were there.

Clik reappeared on the staircase and beckoned them down. He gave Dora a shy smile, which Risha assumed meant Garv was unharmed — or as unharmed as any of them.

‘I don't this minute feel up to a brush with friends of them upstairs,' Croft said quietly, once the reunion was tearfully under way. ‘If we can find a back way out, I suggest we use it.'

‘What about Dora and Garv?'

Croft sucked his teeth. ‘It's a tricky one. We're leaving them with a mess, but I don't see any way round it. Once Garv is over his sore head he's bound to start asking questions, and it's hard to see it any other way than that we brought this down on them.'

Risha gave a resigned sigh and followed him upstairs.

Croft briskly searched their assailants' bodies then watched without comment as Risha adjusted her jerkin to cover the dagger she'd strapped in place at her waist. When Clik swung Nolan's saddlebags over his thin shoulder Risha shrugged. Croft felt the back of his head with a grimace. ‘To be honest, I'm a little hazy on our next move.'

Clik made an impatient sound and trotted to the window, sliding the pane up with a grunt of effort.

‘Good a plan as any,' Croft said. ‘And at least he's got all his wits.'

A grin flashed across the boy's face and was gone. Agile as a squirrel he scrambled through the window and disappeared.