King’s Wrath (16 page)

The boy nodded, still terrified. ‘I’ll remember that, general.’

‘Have you seen Father Briar?’

‘Yes, sir. I have. In fact, I helped to hitch his horse and cart not long ago. He was in a tearing hurry.’

Stracker frowned. ‘Why is that?’

The boy shrugged. ‘I don’t know, sir. He kept hurrying me along to get the cart hitched and then he told me to leave. He … er … he was the one who suggested that the kitchens might give me some bread. I was to tell them that Father Briar sent me.’

‘I see. Do you know where he was headed?’

The lad shook his head. ‘No, sir. He normally likes to take food that the palace no longer requires out to the needy. But today is not usually the day he would do that.’

‘Why?’

‘Today we usually check over the horses, general.’

Stracker’s eyes widened, and his brow lifted in mock query.

The boy hurried to explain. ‘I mean, we are always checking the horses, sir, but today we go over each horse very thoroughly. Father Briar knows not to request the use of an animal.’

The general frowned. It irritated him hugely that Briar was not available and galled him even further that he couldn’t understand what had got into his head to allow that stupid wife of Felt’s to get away. They were hiding something, he had been sure. And still he’d let her go. He couldn’t understand why one moment he had been feeling completely in control and the next he had been vague, making a ridiculous decision. His head still felt blurry. His mouth felt dry too.

‘General?’

‘What?’ he bellowed, annoyed that the boy was interrupting his thoughts.

‘I said the woman was in a hurry too.’

‘What woman?’ Stracker roared, spittle flying into the boy’s face.

The youngster stepped back in terror. He raised his hand to wipe his cheek but seemed to think better of it. ‘Er, the woman who got into the cart beside him.’

‘Who was she?’

The boy shook his head. ‘I don’t know, sir. I didn’t recognise her.’

‘Describe her!’

The boy did his best.

Stracker’s gaze became distant. ‘Father Briar left with this woman?’ He began to feel a new sensation — a familiar one — as fury coursed through his body.

‘Yes, general. It was a bit odd now I come to think of it. He dismissed me but I glanced back and saw him helping the woman into the cart. Except he was helping her into the back, not next to him. That’s what struck me as odd. Perhaps she was tired and planned to lie down?’

‘Or perhaps she was my prisoner making her escape with the good Father.’

The boy looked shocked. His lips moved but nothing came out.

Stracker poked him in the chest. ‘And you helped him!’

‘No, general, I …’ The boy didn’t finish because Stracker had him in by the scruff of his shirt. He whimpered as the general lifted him and then began to yell and struggle as he was raised above the huge man’s head.

Stracker ignored the boy’s cries. Someone had to pay for this; someone had to help quench the rage that when it came made him feel like a parched, desperate man. He grunted and threw the boy aside in disgust, feeling a mild sensation of satisfaction as he watched the stablehand’s body crumple at the bottom of the wall he had been flung against.

13

 

Kilt and Jewd had travelled through the night, riding hard, taking spare horses and trading both pairs for a new set the following morning. Kilt refused to pause for rest or sustenance, insisting they eat and drink in the saddle. Jewd put up no resistance; in fact the big man remained mostly silent during their journey, which Kilt was grateful for. He wanted to tell Jewd — needed to tell Jewd — that he was glad they were together but right now he needed the quiet space in his mind.

They were approaching Penraven city and had slowed their horses to a trot. They needed to pass unnoticed into the general throng of dwellers. Kilt had no plan … not yet … but he had to find Lily. He had put her life into far too much danger. And she would never believe what had happened since she had left. Convincing her that Leo was now the enemy would take some doing — but that was for the future. Right now he had to find her.

As usual Jewd seemed able to read this thoughts. ‘Lily’s not going to believe a word of what we have to tell her.’

Kilt grunted.

‘How much will you say?’

‘Everything. She needs to know that Leo is prepared to kill me.’

‘Kill is probably not the right word.’

‘What is, Jewd? What he had in mind was nothing akin to life as we know it.’

Jewd nodded, their horses moving in time with each other, gradually slowing as the city gates drew closer. Brighthelm dominated the landscape. Kilt was overwhelmed by its size as much as its grandeur. He’d been a long time in the forest, with Francham the closest comparison he had to city life. Now he recognised it as the provincial town it was, nothing close to the noise alone of the capital. Was everyone talking at once? He could hear a drone of voices in the distance, behind the city walls, the clang of metal, the bellowing of animals. The city bell heralded midday.

They had caught up with what looked to be a merchant caravan entering the city. Jewd peeled away slightly from Kilt to flank the last cart in the caravan, as Kilt did the same on the other side. Now they just looked like they were riders in the same party. As Kilt had hoped, they were permitted to pass through without the guards so much as glancing at them. Kilt even raised a hand in thanks and realised no one was paying him any attention.

He felt the appropriate awe as his horse took him beneath the great gate, hooves echoing on the cobbles and around the stone above him. He’d seen the glorious shadow timepiece that King Cormoron had built and various royals had added to over the centuries, but it didn’t fail to impress him when his gaze fell upon it again.

Kilt tensed at the thought of the Valisar royalty and without meaning to he felt his magic reaching out to test the surrounds, desperately hoping there would be no response, no alarming reaction. There wasn’t, but he still couldn’t shake the tension.

‘Are you all right?’ Jewd asked.

He nodded. ‘Anxious, I suppose.’

The big man’s expression told Kilt he understood. ‘We’ll find her.’

‘Where to begin?’ Kilt remarked as they slipped off their horses and began leading them through the streets.

‘Stables first, a good meal and then we’ll make some decisions.’

It sounded like a not unreasonable plan and they found stables easily enough. Once unencumbered from the horses, Kilt’s belly grumbled in anticipation of a meal. Jewd led them into an inn that Kilt paid little attention to. He even let Jewd order the food while he found a quiet corner and sipped on ale that was surprisingly strong. For some reason he’d expected beer in the city inns to be watered. He hoped Lily was still unharmed; couldn’t bear to think of her trapped or frightened.

‘Duck pie on the way,’ Jewd remarked as he joined him, sliding into the booth opposite.

‘What have you discovered?’ Kilt asked, knowing Jewd would have asked some leading questions of the innkeeper to get a feel for the mood of the city.

Jewd licked his lips from his first sip from his own tankard. ‘Well, Loethar’s not here, predictably, but apparently Stracker is in the palace.’

This won Kilt’s attention. ‘He was quick to get back.’

Jewd nodded. ‘Apparently a lot of the Greens drink here. The landlord heard just an hour ago that the general re-entered the city.’

‘Well, that’s of little consequence to us,’ Kilt dismissed. ‘We’re staying well out of his way. Anything else?’

Jewd shrugged. ‘There’s something going on in the main square shortly. The landlord doesn’t know what it is but he reckons it’s connected with the palace. This place was teeming with Greens just minutes before we arrived and now look.’

Kilt did. His mouth twitched. ‘No soldiers here that I can see.’

‘That’s right. They’ve all been called.’

‘That doesn’t concern us either.’

‘No, but,’ Jewd lifted one shoulder slightly, ‘you wanted to know what the landlord’s saying.’

Kilt nodded. ‘I’m sorry. I can’t stop thinking about Lily. We have to presume that if she’s posing as Felt’s wife she’s somewhere in and around his lodgings.’ He stroked his fake beard.

Normally Jewd would have grinned at the gesture but he remained stony-faced, barely looking up as the serving girl plonked down two steaming pies.

‘Careful not to burn your lips, sir. They’re just out of the oven,’ she warned.

‘Thanks,’ Jewd said, distracted. Once she was out of earshot, he continued, ‘Well, Freath lived at the palace. And as Kirin was his close offsider I guess we have to assume that he too had rooms within Brighthelm.’

Kilt blinked angrily. ‘I wanted to avoid the castle.’

‘We can. We’ll pay someone to take a message.’

‘That’s too risky.’

‘Not really. We’ll use a child. There’s always someone who knows their way around the palace who wants to earn a few extra trents.’

Kilt bit into his pie, not really tasting it but knowing his body needed food. Besides, Jewd would become a flea in his ear if he didn’t eat.

The innkeeper passed them and caught Jewd’s eye.

‘Good pie,’ Jewd remarked.

‘My wife’s. No better in the city,’ the man replied. ‘By the way, I’ve just heard what’s going on, why the Greens left in a hurry.’

‘Oh?’ Jewd said and Kilt noticed he deliberately sounded disinterested, more concerned with slurping up the sticky duck meat that was oozing from his pie.

‘Well, word has it that there’s going to be some sort of public punishment in the main square.’

‘Public punishment?’ Kilt joined in, frowning. ‘Seems normal enough.’

The innkeeper shrugged. ‘Actually, no. Emperor Loethar banned it years ago. He made an edict that anyone who is proven
responsible for a crime will pay his dues behind closed doors. He didn’t think families should have to publicly suffer the humiliation of their kin’s deeds.’

Jewd’s brow knitted together. ‘Doesn’t sound like the move of a conquering invader.’

‘Ah, but he’s a good man is the emperor.’ The innkeeper put his hands up. ‘I know, I know. He took his crown from a sea of Denovian blood but,’ he gave a small shrug, ‘I think he rules well. We all do.’

‘No question of that,’ Jewd said, clearly choosing not to ruffle any feathers.

‘General Stracker has a stomach for suffering, though, and he’s obviously decided to make a wrongdoer suffer public humiliation and pain. And with the emperor away he’s in charge.’

‘Why do they need the Greens?’ Jewd wondered aloud.

‘To set it all up, keep the crowds back, I suppose,’ the man said.

They were interrupted by a youth. ‘Dad, the word on the street is that it’s going to be an execution,’ the youngster said, eyes shining.

‘Find your sisters and make sure they’re indoors with their mother. They don’t need to see anything like that.’

‘Clara would love it,’ his son admitted.

‘Nevertheless,’ his father said. ‘Whose execution, did you hear?’

The boy shook his head. ‘I didn’t really pay attention. A husband and wife.’

‘Lo, strike me!’ the man replied. ‘It’s gone to two people now.’ He nodded at Kilt and Jewd, and left hurriedly.

‘They must be important for Stracker to be putting on such a show,’ Jewd remarked, tucking into his pie. ‘This is hitting the spot,’ he said through a full mouth.

Kilt had almost finished his food. ‘Well, I don’t care about it. It just means Stracker and his Greens are looking the other way.
Makes our job easier of getting word to Lily in the palace.’ He found a sad grin.

‘I’ll be finished in a blink,’ Jewd said, cramming what looked to Kilt to be near enough half the pie into his mouth.

‘Don’t rush. I always find watching you eat such absorbing entertainment.’

‘Go to hell,’ Jewd shot at him through a still crowded mouth. Then he stood. ‘Ready when you are.’ He swallowed and burped.

‘You were always the uncouth one.’

‘I know deep down you’d rather be wearing the dress disguise than the beard, so that is probably making you cranky,’ Jewd replied and they both grinned, Kilt revelling in the fleeting chance to parry insults with his friend. For just a moment or two, life felt normal.

Once outside, though, that lightness evaporated and they found themselves among a crowd of people hurrying in the same direction. Jewd pointed. ‘We can probably take a shortcut through there,’ he said, ‘and reach the palace without having to wade through this mob. They must all be headed to the execution.’

‘I feel ashamed for them,’ Kilt murmured. ‘You’d think they’d have seen enough death for a lifetime.’

Jewd shrugged.

An older woman took refuge next to them. She looked thunderous. ‘Pah! These people. Are they really that keen to see Denovian blood spilled again?’ she asked them.

‘My thoughts exactly,’ Kilt replied.

‘What do you know about the couple in question?’ Jewd asked her.

‘Nothing, really. I don’t know her at all — to be honest I didn’t even know he was married.’

‘But you know him, obviously,’ Kilt replied.

‘Oh, vaguely, I suppose. I know of him, I’ve seen him around the city with that man, Freath. I have no idea what Master Felt
has done to incur the wrath of the emperor. Maybe it has something to do with Freath’s death.’

‘Felt?’ Kilt repeated, shock travelling through him at such speed he felt his heart pounding hard in his chest. ‘Kirin Felt and his new wife, Lily?’

‘Is that her name?’ she asked distractedly, then shrugged. ‘I told you, I wouldn’t know and I’m not interested to see anyone executed. I’m just trying to get home.’

Jewd was already moving. ‘Excuse us, madam.’ He dragged Kilt through the people they’d been trying to avoid and down several small lanes. Kilt trailed behind him like a child being led.

He hauled Jewd to a stop finally. ‘Stracker is going to kill Lily,’ he said, slightly glassy-eyed. ‘We have to get to the square.’

Kirin’s mind was in chaos. He had regained consciousness on the floor of Loethar’s salon only to discover that he was blind. The push of magic required to fool the rationality of two men at once had claimed a very high price. But at least Lily had escaped Stracker’s clutches. He was glad to exchange his sight for her freedom; it was a price worth paying.

He no longer cared what happened to him. Freath was dead. Clovis was dead. He was just another in the queue of loyalists who had risked their lives for the Valisars. He only hoped Lily would be able to get news of everything they’d learned to Leo.

His escort gave him a push. ‘What’s wrong with you?’

‘I’m blind,’ he said, stumbling again. ‘Where are we going?’ he asked, allowing himself to be helped into a cart.

‘You don’t want to know.’

‘I see,’ Kirin said and then smiled grimly at the irony of his words.

He sat down tentatively and travelled in silence, amazed suddenly by how much information he was able to glean without the use of his eyes; he could work out that the afternoon was warm, that there was little or no breeze today. He knew when
they were passing by the bakery, he caught a whiff on the air of the tannery to the west, and he could work out simply from the intensity of voices around him that they were approaching the central square.

Who needs sight?
he thought to himself, digging deep to find his courage as the cart lurched to a halt.

‘The main square?’ he enquired, not anticipating an answer.

‘I’m afraid so, Master Felt,’ his escort said.

‘You sound embarrassed,’ Kirin replied. ‘Don’t be. What’s your name?’

‘Bern.’

‘Well, Bern, I know you are performing your duty.’

‘That’s generous of you, Master Felt.’

‘Just don’t let my knees buckle. I’d rather give the impression that I was very brave at the end.’ He used an arch tone as though he was jesting but he was sure they both knew he was asking for help to get through whatever trial awaited.

‘I won’t let you fall, Master Felt,’ Bern assured. ‘Our emperor would not agree with what is happening today.’

‘Then you are surely not a Green.’

‘No. I am a proud Red. And while we accept Stracker as our general, it is Loethar who rules us. We have not been told where he is, but you can be sure there will be a reckoning for this.’

‘Too late for me, though,’ Kirin said, angry with himself for falling straight into the very self-pity he wanted to avoid.

‘Yes, for both of you, sir.’

‘Both?’ He sensed Bern’s hesitation and clutched at the man. ‘What do you mean, both of us?’

‘Your … your wife as well, Master Felt.’

Kirin felt the bile rise to his throat. ‘Lily?’ he choked out.

‘Is that her name? She is a very pretty woman, Master Felt. I am very sorry for both of you. Here she is. Aludane save me, there looks to be a third prisoner too.’

But Kirin couldn’t care less about another prisoner. He strained to see her even though he knew he couldn’t. ‘Lily! Lily!’ he cried.

And the one voice he adored with all his heart but hoped he would never hear again cut through the rabble of excited voices. ‘Kirin!’ he heard her answer in an anxious shriek.

‘Please, Bern, please, let me speak with her.’

‘Master Felt, I —’

‘I beg you! One favour for a condemned man.’

Once again he heard his companion hesitate and then he heard Bern speaking in the guttural tribal language. Moments later he felt Lily’s familiar hand grasping his.