Rise and Fall (52 page)

To her surprise, she could see that he attempted to continue their conversation, struggling to find the right words. “It is nicer than the island we came from. Larger and far cleaner.”

She had to strain to decipher his speech but she smiled all the same, excited to talk to the mysterious man. “I’ve never been to Slum Isle before, but I’ve heard a lot about the place. Could you tell me what it is like?” she asked, hoping to keep Kaz talking.

“Yes, if you would like.”

* * *

Kaz felt odd describing an island he had visited only once, but he did so anyway. And when he was done, he talked about what it was like to walk through Floroson and Lyrosene for the first time. He felt foolish droning on and on while Jonrell’s sister barely said a word except to quickly ask another question. But she seemed interested enough, so he continued.

After some time, he finally thought of a few questions to ask in return. He didn’t know why, but Elyse smiled when he did so and then talked for some time herself. Later, he even said something funny or at least he assumed he did. The queen had let out a loud sincere laugh that caused him to grin in return.

He wasn’t sure what followed in the few minutes after that laugh as he had a brief glimpse of something, someone in fact, from his past. He swore he heard two laughs then, one inside his head from long ago and one outside in the warm hall. The softness of Elyse’s voice and the look in her eyes seemed familiar, too, but he didn’t know why.

Will these memories frustrate me forever?

As the night wore on, Kaz could see why Jonrell talked so favorably of his sister. She was a good woman, and like her brother, treated him as if he was no different than anyone else. It surprised him that two people who held so much power appeared to accept him, yet so many others did not.

When the meal concluded she thanked him for his company, and to his surprise found himself returning the sentiment, even referring to her as “Your Majesty,” something he had avoided earlier since she was not his queen. Yet now, she had earned his respect.

* * *

She awoke with a quiet knocking, so soft she thought she still dreamed until a voice called out.

“Elyse, are you awake? It’s Jonrell. I need to speak with you right away.”

She stumbled out of bed in a rush, turning up the oil lamp on the night stand near her bed. Careful not to trip over the books on the floor, she grabbed her robe. “I’m coming,” she called out. She slowed as she reached the door as she realized that an attack from Tomalt was impossible since he was weeks away in Namaris.

She cracked the door and saw her brother near the entranceway. “May I please come in?”

She allowed him to enter and caught an odd look from Hadan who stood near her room. Closing the door, she faced her brother. “What’s wrong?” she said as she wiped the sleep from her eyes

“I need to talk to you about what Lord Caliva and I discussed.”

“You said that could wait until morning.”

“Technically, it is morning,” he said with a grin.

Elyse didn’t return the smile.

Jonrell took the hint. “Most of it is of little interest to you right now with the exception of one area. We are sending a messenger to Duke Jeldor in Ithanthul. We hope to forge an alliance with him.”

Elyse shook her head.
I must still be groggy.
“Jeldor? Why would we seek an alliance with him? Even I know he’s a cantankerous old man.”

“His disposition is not important to us. What is important are his troops. People underestimate him because his lands aren’t as large or as well populated as others, but the men that live there are hard. They have to be to live amid that terrain. And their winters are harsher than what we experience in the worst of times. I know. I got caught in one while traveling back from his capital as a boy. Three men froze to death on the journey home.” He paused. “Besides, without any word from Estul Island, we are short handed on mages. We can’t afford to be short on soldiers too.”

Elyse shivered. “If we need troops, then why not seek aid from Olasi? He has always been a friend to the crown.”

“True. His men are better trained since they serve as a backup to Conroy when defending the High Pass but we need him to stay put in order to keep a watch on Conroy.”

“Then I grant you permission to form an alliance with Jeldor. Can we finish this conversation in the morning?”

Jonrell smiled. “I’m glad you agree but I need more from you than just approval. We need to send someone right away if we hope to get Jeldor’s troops here in time.”

“Then what do you need me for?”

“I need you to go.”

Silence.

“Elyse?” asked Jonrell.

“You’re serious?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then you’re also crazy. Why do I need to go to Ithanthul?”

“Because, as you said, Jeldor is a touchy man. A messenger is not going to get him to form an alliance with us. We need someone to convince him it is in his best interests to join our power.”

“And you expect me to do that? You didn’t see him at father’s funeral. That man doesn’t like me at all.”

“He doesn’t like anyone. That’s my point. We can’t just send anyone to talk to him. Otherwise, he’ll be insulted.”

“Then why don’t you go. You’re better at this sort of thing.”

“I can’t go. I need to be here. There’s too much work to do.”

“Send someone else then.”

“This is too important for me to trust with someone else,” said Jonrell, almost pleading. “If Jeldor listens to anyone, it would be either you or me. I’m the only one who can command an army so it must be you that goes to Ithanthul.”

“Are things so bad, Jonrell?”

Jonrell let out a deep sigh and ran his hand through his hair. Suddenly he seemed much older, and she saw for the first time the stress he hid so well. “Yes. This is our best and perhaps only chance.” As if sensing Elyse’s sudden dread, he forced a smile and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Look, in front of others, I have to keep any reservations hidden lest they creep into the hearts and minds of those I’m trying to help.” He paused. “Your subjects will mirror the way you carry yourself. A soldier, especially, must be able to look for strength in those he’s fighting for. Otherwise, he is as good as dead. Remember that.”

“Then why are you letting your guard down now?”

“Because I need you to understand the severity of our situation. I never intended for you to sit here and wait for Tomalt. If Tomalt captures Cathyrium, being with Jeldor will give you a chance to escape back to Lyrosene or at least find safety somewhere outside of Cadonia. Don’t look surprised. The worst is always a possibility, though I don’t believe it will come to that.” His face grew hard once again and all the doubt Elyse had glimpsed washed away. “I won’t allow it to happen.”

“Then why make such a big production about me coming here?”

“In a way you’re extra bait for Tomalt. We need him to attack us while Grayer strengthens the army at Lyrosene.”

“Well, he’s going to know I’m not here anymore once everyone sees me leaving.”

“Not if you leave now. Only the night watch is up and we can easily keep them from spotting you. Plus, if someone does, they’ll never assume the queen is leaving, especially to seek aid from Jeldor in the middle of winter.”

“I’m sure they will find out eventually. After all, you can’t tell people I’m in the tower sleeping forever.”

“No, but if you came down suddenly with a strange illness…I mean, you did look under the weather this evening. I said so myself, didn’t I?”

So that’s why he made such a big deal about me needing rest.

“But,” he continued, “if no one even catches a glimpse of you, people will begin to ask questions. That’s where Lobella comes into play.”

Elyse cocked her head. “You expect her to impersonate me? We look nothing alike.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. You two are practically the same height and build. It is the hair that throws things off. But Hag has something that will dye her hair to match yours. Then all we need her to do is walk in front of an open window from time to time or have a servant catch a quick glance through a dimly lit doorway and we should be ok.”

“But won’t people question her disappearance?”

“Not likely. We’ve only just arrived today. And with so many among our party, it will be hard to keep track of who was who. But that may be different come tomorrow. Which is why you must leave tonight.”

“What makes you think she’ll go along with the charade?”

“I just informed her before coming to you. In fact, she should be on her way up shortly.”

“That is an unfair thing to do to her. She is a friend.”

“War isn’t fair. But everyone must play their part in the game if we ever hope to win, including Lobella.”

What am I supposed to do? He told me to trust him.
“Fine. Then who am I going with. Surely, you don’t expect me to travel for weeks across the country by myself.”

“Hadan and Willum, four others they’ve selected from the army, and then two I’m personally selecting from the Hell Patrol.”

“Who exactly from your crew?”

“Rygar. There are few others with sharper senses and you’ll need those in order to watch out for any bandits on the road.”

Bandits? This is crazy.
“And the other?”

“Kroke.”

“The one always playing with the knives?”

“That’s him.”

She shuddered. “I don’t like him. He frightens me.”

“He doesn’t look like much, but he frightens a lot of people and with good reason. He has an area of expertise you’ll need while traveling.”

“What area is that?”

“Killing.”

Elyse swallowed hard.

“Don’t worry. I’ve known the man for years. I promise he will not harm you. In fact, he will do whatever is necessary to ensure your safety.”

“I wish you would choose someone else.”

“You have someone in mind?”

“Kaz, perhaps. He seems very nice, and besides, even I can see he would be just as able of a protector.”

Jonrell raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm.”

“What?”

“I’ve just never heard Kaz described as nice before.” He paused. “I saw you talking to him at dinner. That must have been some conversation you two had.”

Elyse blushed. “What are you saying?”

“Nothing. Forget about it. But yes, you are right. Even though others would disagree with me, I would trust Kaz to do this as well.”

“Good,” said Elyse, satisfied that Jonrell saw her point.

“But I need him here with me to defend the wall. Besides, you are going to stand out enough as a woman traveling with more than half a dozen men. Adding someone to the group who looks as different as he does will only raise more questions, and possibly cause more trouble. No, it has to be Kroke.”

Elyse didn’t say anything, defeated.

“Look, I know this is hard to put on you at the last second, but I know you can do it. I wouldn’t send you otherwise. We need Jeldor’s troops.”

“And what’s to stop him from just taking me hostage himself?”

There was a knock at the door.

“That must be Lobella,” said Jonrell. “Shall I have her come in to help you with any last minute preparations?”

Elyse nodded.

“Good. Remember, you’ll need to travel light. Only the essentials.”

Jonrell walked up and hugged her tight. “I’m proud of you. I know this isn’t easy.”

He was right, it wasn’t.

Chapter 22

Elyse sat on an old, rotted out log next to a low fire. The log was anything but comfortable but still better than sitting in the snow. The fire barely kept away the chill. Worried about attracting undue attention, her companions dared not build anything larger.

Since leaving Cathyrium two weeks ago, each day seemed more miserable than the one before. Weather alternated between ice and snow, making the road that much more difficult. The only constant was the wind which gave Elyse a nagging chill.

They traveled at a furious pace, despite the elements working against them. The only rest came when Rygar needed time to scout ahead or they made camp.

As others set up camp, Kroke muttered something about looking for a stream to clean and sharpen his knives in. It seemed the mercenary was always doing something with a knife and Elyse had grown tired of his habits. The thought of those grim habits probably would have produced a shiver if she wasn’t already shaking from the cold.

She looked down at the borrowed brown trousers she wore, and found herself even more aware of her situation. All of the clothes she brought with her came from her servant.

I think Lobella may have gotten the better end of this deal.

The queen watched the men tend to the horses and sighed as she resigned herself to the faint heat of the flames. The journey had so far been a lonely one. She had tried to talk to the men as she did with Jonrell on their trip to Cathyrium, but most were not inclined to speak with her. Rygar was an exception, and the two often shared a laugh before settling in for the night since he often scouted ahead during the day. Her own personal guards, like the others, had avoided any conversation at all. The prospect of talking so casually with their queen seemed to make them uncomfortable. That only left Kroke.

And it is obvious he dislikes me. Only the One Above knows how he and Rygar manage to get along.

So Elyse spent most of the time alone with her thoughts, trying to come up with a plan to convince Jeldor to form an alliance with her. She wondered if Jonrell really thought she stood a chance of gaining the duke’s support, or if he simply wanted to get her away from Cathyrium. For some strange reason, her brother seemed to believe in her. And that only depressed her more. Letting down a kingdom when everyone expected it of her was one thing, but now that her brother was so sure she would succeed, she couldn’t bear to see him again if she failed.

* * *

The large oak at his back blocked the wind. Kroke glided the blade up and down a whetstone, working its edge to a perfection that few others would be able to appreciate. In fact, most would not have even known the blade needed any attention at all. But he knew.