The Wayfarer King (29 page)

“Gavin had lost both of his parents by the time he was twelve,” Edan told her. “When we met, I was fifteen, he was fourteen. My father offered to adopt him, but Gavin declined. He proudly wears his father’s name, while most battlers, including myself, take epithets. He’s not a man inclined to turn to noble-born women to seek a bride. That he would set his eye on an unmarried woman with children is, admittedly, a bit of a surprise but not completely out of character.”

While Daia had interrogated her, Edan seemed willing to accept her without question. Feanna felt the need to explain her circumstances to him. She told him about her childless marriage, her husband’s untimely illness, and the misfortune that had befallen the children which had brought them together.

Edan studied her with renewed interest. “You take in orphaned children and love them as your own, yet you doubt the wisdom of Gavin’s choice of bride?” He chuckled.

Feanna felt the tickle of heat on her face and bowed her head. “I didn’t mean to disrespect the king. Given that he was an orphan himself, it does seem natural that he would be drawn to me.”

He put a comforting hand on her forearm. “Forgive me for teasing you. I misjudged the impact this news has had.”

“I... I just need time to take it all in. The news has come as quite a shock.”

“I understand, my lady. Why don’t you take a walk? The fresh air and distraction of the city might help clear your head.”

The day was late and would be dusking soon, but a few minutes’ walk would do her much good. “Yes, I think I will.” She turned in her chair. “Children, would you like to take a walk with me?” Her question was answered with a resounding chorus of yeses.

The street outside the inn was wide enough to accommodate three wagons side by side, but most other streets were much narrower and more crowded. Many of the buildings stood so close together that even Jilly would have been hard put to make her way between them, and some buildings appeared to share a wall with their neighbors. As they strolled along the street, they passed a pinmaker and glassmaker, several tailors and shoemakers, jewelers, grocers, and a bookseller. Feanna had learned to read as a child and longed for a collection of books and the time to read them. She stared longingly into the shop’s front window until Iriel and Tansa dragged her by the hands toward the confectioner they’d discovered two doors down.

“May we have a candy?” Tansa begged. “Please?”

“I’m afraid we haven’t the money to spare,” Feanna said, though she did enjoy the smell of the goods wafting into the street.

Trevick opened his coin pouch and pulled out a kion. “I’ve a little money. I can buy it.”

“For us too?” Iriel asked.

“Of course for you too, dunce.” He ruffled her hair. “Where’s the pleasure in enjoying something alone?”

“Oh, Trevick, how generous of you.” Feanna put her arm across his shoulders and kissed his temple. He blushed and squirmed and hurried into the shop. Moments later, he emerged with a bundle of cloth. The girls hopped excitedly, waiting for him to dispense the treats. To Feanna’s surprise, he’d purchased one for her as well. She hadn’t wanted one, but the gesture was so sweet, she didn’t want to disappoint him by refusing.

The six of them stood outside the shop, quietly enjoying their square of candy. It was a dark-brown cake within a light pastry, topped with an almond and drizzled with buttery cream icing. Every sweet bite was a slice of heaven in her mouth.

“Don’t eat it so fast,” Trevick warned Iriel. “Make it last.”

“But it’s so good!”

“It’ll be over sooner if you gobble it like a starving dog.”

Convinced, Iriel chewed more slowly and took smaller bites.

Passersby smiled at the children so obviously enjoying their dessert. Feanna thought she might have moaned in pleasure once or twice too, and looked around self-consciously to see if anyone had heard her. That was when she noticed the Viragon Sister about fifty paces behind them.

Like the others guarding the inn, she wore a plain brown tunic over beige trousers with a short sword hanging from her belt. Her straight, brown hair was cropped short, like a man’s. When she caught Feanna’s eye, she turned quickly to look through the window of a shop, then stepped inside, out of sight. Perhaps she’d received instructions from Edan to follow discreetly. No matter. Feanna appreciated his concern and understood his desire to keep her safe. Gavin would undoubtedly not take news of an assault upon her or the children with good grace.

The following day, as she and the children were out once more, touring the city and ogling the many shops of fine merchandise, Feanna caught sight of the same battler following a few dozen paces behind. The children were captivated by the items on display in the window of a toy maker’s shop, oblivious to the swordswoman’s presence.

Feanna touched Trevick’s shoulder. “Watch the girls for a minute, will you? I want a word with someone.”

The Viragon Sister had ducked out of view, but when Feanna rounded a corner, she found the battler leaning against a wall, cleaning her nails with the point of her knife. Her surprise was quickly masked with indifferent nonchalance.

“Edan sent you to protect us while we tour the city, didn’t he?” Feanna asked.

The swordswoman blinked and stammered.

“We don’t look wealthy enough to rob, and few people know that Gavin’s courting me. There’s really no need for you to follow us, is there?”

“Uh... no, m’lady, but I can’t simply leave you unguarded. Edan would send me packing back to Sohan.”

“Then why not walk with us? The children and I would love someone familiar enough with the city to point out the sights.”

“Well, you see, I...” She bowed her head. “I was given strict instructions to be discreet. Obviously I’ve failed.”

“Then you’ve nothing to worry about,” Feanna said with a smile. “I won’t mention to anyone that I’ve noticed you, and I’ll ask the children to keep your secret too. I’m Feanna.” She offered her hand, and the swordswoman shook it. Feanna
shifted
and sensed the other woman’s curiosity and excitement but no hint of the embarrassment her words had suggested.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name’s Cirang.”

Chapter 39

When they passed through Saliria, Gavin was sorely tempted to pause to see Feanna. In the long moments of silence during their journey, he’d thought about her often, wondering whether her father was alive. Gavin would like to have a word with him about his daughter’s future once he proposed to Feanna. He decided, though, that the more responsible thing would be to vanquish Ritol first and then talk of the future, since he had none while that task remained undone. If he survived it, then he could plan his forever after.

For the last few miles outside Tern’s city gates, they encountered farmers leaving the city with their wagons empty or nearly so. The sun had begun to set behind them, and markets would be emptying of both merchants and customers. He looked forward to a meal of whatever meat was on hand, and maybe some of that wine the innkeeper kept in his cellar, followed by a long, hot bath. Daia would undoubtedly have her bath first, but a woman’s priorities were often backward.

As they entered the city, a child who’d been sitting atop the outer wall climbed down and ran across the street toward the lordover’s soldier station.

“Gavin,” Daia said. Her voice was quiet like a warning.

He saw them too — two mail-clad men wearing the lordover’s red and black livery stepped out of the building and looked around, finally resting their eyes upon Gavin and Daia. One flipped a coin, flashing in the sunset’s orange glow, before the child caught it and ran off. The armsman barked a command, and two more emerged. All four armsmen mounted their awaiting horses. Two approached from the front and the other two waited. Gavin pulled his glove onto his sword hand and shifted Golam’s reins to his other so he could be ready to draw if the need arose.

“Fight?” she asked.

A few months ago, Gavin would have had his sword drawn before she’d even asked the question. Now he shook his head. These were his own men. They just didn’t know it yet.

“Are you Gavin Kinshield?” one asked.

He decided to play innocent. “I am. Is there a problem?”

The armsman who’d spoken gestured to the two others, who trotted off toward the lordover’s keep. “We’ve been sent to escort you. If you please.” He wheeled his mount and led the way northward. “Make way!” he shouted to the people on the street. The other soldier took up the rear.

Gavin blinked in surprise. He’d expected to be arrested on entering the city, but the armsmen had never demanded they disarm. People stopped to stare at them as they followed the lordover’s man.

“What’s this about?” Daia asked softly.

“I was thinking to ask you the same.” To his surprise, they were escorted directly to the Elegance Inn rather than to the lordover’s compound. There the armsmen bowed, conveyed the lordover’s warmest regards, and left.

The two Sisters guarding the inn approached. “Welcome home, sire,” Hennah said as she took Golam by the bridle and rubbed his thick neck. When the warhorse reached for her ear, she flinched, letting out a whoop of surprise.

“Good to see you’re not in gaol.” Gavin shot her a playful smile as he dismounted. “Don’t mind Golam. He’s a big flirt. Likes to nuzzle ladies’ ears.”

Daia dismounted and handed Hennah the reins of her mount. “Any trouble with the lordover?”

“He did come storming over here with some of his soldiers, but Lord Edan straightened matters out.”

“Is Edan here?” Gavin asked as he untied his pack from the saddle.

“Yes, my liege. He’s inside, reading. Anya arrived with a wagon-load of books from Sohan.”

“Good. See to the horses, will you?” He put a hand on her shoulder.

“Of course, my liege.” She started toward the stable with both horses in tow.

As Golam walked past, Gavin patted his gray rump then took the four stairs in two steps. As expected, he found Edan hunched over a book while he scribbled on a sheet of paper, several books stacked on the table around him.

Edan stood and greeted them. “You’re back sooner than I expected.”

The innkeeper scurried to bring water and wine, then promised to deliver fresh bread and warm meat shortly.

Although Gavin’s arse was sore from the long ride, he fell into a chair. “Did my brother and his family get here?”

“They did,” Edan said, “though Rogan’s not pleased. He broods worse than you do.”

Gavin looked around, but there was no sign of Rogan, Liera or their three sons. “Where are they?”

“They decided to stay with Liera’s relatives instead. Dona and Nasharla went with them, don’t worry. You missed some interesting developments.”

Good. Ravenkind wouldn’t likely know where to find Liera’s family members. “You find anything interesting in those books?”

“Interesting, yes. Helpful? Not so much,” Edan said. “I’ve only started going through them, though.”

“I heard the lordover came calling.”

“I had to tell him. Sorry, Gav.”

“Did he threaten you?” Daia sat one arse cheek on the table and crossed her arms.

“He tried, but he sang another song when I reminded him that I work for the king whose authority supersedes his own. However, I did manage to barter the information for the Rune of Protection that Ronor Kinshield found with Queen Calewen.”

The words were like a fist slamming into Gavin’s gut. From deep within his ancient memory, an image of the rune, clutched in Queen Calewen’s lifeless and bloody palm, clawed its way to his consciousness. Though the rune had protected her from magical attacks, it had no power to protect her from death itself.

“Since he was going to find out anyway,” Edan said, “I thought the rune was a shiny coin worth the price.”

Gavin rubbed his temple, trying to push the image of the dead queen out of his mind. “Do you have it?”

“He wanted to deliver it directly to you. I suspect he’ll be along anytime.” Edan looked him over. “As eager as I am to hear what you’ve learned, I can wait until you’ve washed.”

“I’ll eat first,” Gavin said.

“Trust me, Gav. You’ll want to bathe first. You’ve a few more visitors from Saliria, and you don’t want to smell the way you do when they return. They’re touring the city.”

“Feanna?” Gavin asked, standing. “She’s here?”

“Quite a charming lady,” Edan said. “You sure know how to choose them. The two young ones couldn’t be any sweeter. Iriel often sits on the steps outside with the Sisters to watch for beyonders, and Trevick has been helping around the stable, shoveling dung and brushing horses.”

“Why’re they here? Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing’s wrong, but I’ll let her tell you her reason for coming. They should be back any minute.”

Gavin took the stairs three at a time, calling for hot bathwater on his way.