Red Mantle, page 8
part #3 of Mantle Chronicles Series
We had gone a little way north when I spotted the eagle. He circled three times, as his way of announcing himself and then landed on my outstretched arm. The fox opened one eye, saw the bird and curled himself tighter in my saddle pouch.
‘It is good that you go north,’ the eagle began, ‘things do not go well for your king.’ When I asked him to explain, he shrugged? ‘The wolf knows more than I. He can slip into the city unseen, whereas I risked being shot at by archers every time I flew anywhere near the city walls. A large rampart rings the city and there is an archer positioned every few yards. It would seem that the king of Kor-erif lives in perpetual fear of attack.’
‘Is King Arden safe?’ I grew impatient with his explanations.
‘Safe, yes.’ He looked about him. ‘I’m glad to see that you got rid of most of those slaves. They were a hazard to the success of our venture.’
‘Tell me about Arden and the others.’ I demanded.
‘They have moved within the Palace. The wolf could sense them but could not find them. Perhaps they are prisoners. The wolf knew they were alive and well.’ If it is possible for an eagle to sneer, he sneered. ‘According to that mangy hearth rug, they are in good spirits but lost.’ He tilted his head. ‘He couldn’t explain what he means by that, and neither can I.’
‘It is well that we will be there in two days.’ I nodded.
‘There is another matter,’ he began. ‘The stone-making charm I used on the slavers that upset you so much, well, I have done what I can to release all the innocent creatures and even the blades of grass and clumps of clover that you were concerned about.’
‘Thank you.’
‘However, there was a slight problem.’
‘A problem?’ I sensed that I might not wish to hear anything further.
‘Oh, nothing important,’ he assured me. ‘It is simply that in reviving all your precious, living creatures, I inadvertently released one of the slavers. Just one.’
I sighed. One slaver was no longer my concern although I was determined to speak to Ardin about slavery and the blatant use of slaves in the silver mines of Rynth, when we returned to Vellin. It was not enough to outlaw the practice in the Five Kingdoms. Rynth had once been part of the Southern Meeds but since it grew fat with the wealth of its mine, it had declared itself an independent city on our border. Ardin should be making it his business to openly declare that Magra encouraged all kingdoms to make it their task to destroy the trade once and for all time.
When we stopped to refresh ourselves, I explained the eagle’s news from Kor-erif and Hodin was eager to be riding again. He was convinced that every moment counted and that the life of the King must be in danger. Seguido was more cautious.
‘Kor-erif is not the place for bluster and making rash decisions. It is not without reason that much of the profit from the Rynth mines finds its way to Kor-erif. They say that the Vizier and the Masters of Rynth share a love of gambling and while the Vizier holds the power in Kor-erif, there will be enough pleasure houses and gambling pits in the city to satisfy every slaver and Mine Master in the Western Wastes.’
‘Sounds like a very exciting place.’ Hodin frowned across the top of his cup of brew. ‘Do you think this Vizier has imprisoned King Ardin?’
‘I can’t see why he would do that.’ Seguido looked troubled. ‘From what I have heard, the Vizier is a shrewd man and rules as Regent for his nephew, King Freshon, who is a small boy. When the young king came to the throne, the city was in a terrible state, poverty-stricken, the people starving, lawless and overrun with thieves and cutthroats. The Vizier took the easiest route to making Kor-erif prosperous once more. I don’t think he’s an evil man, just an opportunist who makes a profit from the greed and lust of others.’
‘And the misery of slaves,’ Smelda added. She had not been tempted by the promise of a new life in Kor-tnelis and I suspected that her reason for coming with us lay in her feelings for Seguido. For his part, he treated her with kindness but gave no hint that he felt anything deeper for her. Indeed, it was Hodin, who took every opportunity to fuss and fawn over her. After the incident of the shared bed in Jedran Keep, I had attempted to keep the image of myself as a member of the Souran foremost in their minds. We still discussed our plans and talked around the campfire, but I drew back from all else. It reminded me of Silver Mantle and the way she would often appear aloof and remote. The thought gave me no comfort. It was a fine distinction between maintaining a place of respectful honour and the cold detachment of a superior being. It was while I was thinking about this subject, in the quiet of the firelight at our evening camp, that Seguido suggested our plan to gain access to the Palace in Kor-erif.
‘We can’t just march in there and ask the Vizier for our King back!’ Hodin always had the knack of stating the obvious.
‘Then we need a purpose for going there, or at least passing through and I think I have an idea.’ Seguido poked the fire before he began. ‘The King of Thanis has a son of marriageable age and what could be more natural than a princess from the lands south of Mosagin to travel this way with her retinue? She wouldn’t have to be a rich princess, after all, she wouldn’t be bringing a dowry. She could be rejected.’
‘The Lady Megwin could be the princess,’ Kaileb suggested.
‘Megwin, the daughter of a king?’ The very idea made Hodin roar with laughter. Ah, I thought, dear friend, how little you know?
‘And I could be her maid servant,’ chirped Smelda, eager for the chance to wear the dainty clothes that the priestesses of Kor-tnelis had given her.
Seguido pointed his eating knife at Hodin. ‘You could be a problem. You’re too old to be a page and not old enough to be a trusted companion. If I were a king, I would not entrust my daughter’s virtue to you on such a long journey.’
‘Unless he was my brother again,’ I offered and when they looked doubtful, I added, ‘It worked for us at Jedran Keep.’
‘Different mothers!’ we both said together and laughed.
‘She’s right, it did.’ Hodin slapped his knees. ‘And what about Seguido and our friends, here?’ He passed his arm round the fireside, indicating the young men.
‘Simple.’ Seguido had already thought of that. ‘I am the king’s most faithful servant, an officer in the palace guard and these are my handpicked escort. We travel in simple clothes in order not to attract attention to ourselves.’
In the silence, as everyone else slept, with only the crackling of sticks in the fire to break the hush, the fox whispered, ‘I like this Seguido Vargas. He has a mind that is clever enough to belong to a fox.’
‘Praise indeed!’ I replied. ‘I like him too.’
‘But,’ the fox regarded his paws, ‘there is something in him that suggests greater power and destiny than he shows to us.’
I turned to him and rested my chin on my hands. ‘I feel that too. I’m not sure if he is hiding something or that he is unaware of his true nature. You are right, old friend. I see much of what I care about in Sandor, in Seguido, but there is a deeper heart to the man that is hidden. Do you suppose that it has something to do with the Salamander Brotherhood? It makes me uneasy but at the same time I know that I can trust him.’
That night, I felt the voice calling to me again. I had not been troubled by it during our time in Kor-tnelis but now we were travelling the open scrubland, it returned. It called, demanding that I make haste. I woke cold and anxious, grateful to Smelda for a hot cup of brew. She was eager to begin her role as the servant to a princess.
✽✽✽
When we were a few miles from the city, Seguido and Hodin rode ahead to find suitable lodgings, somewhere close to the Palace and of sufficient comfort for a minor princess. While they were gone, we set about creating the illusion of royalty travelling without ceremony. Thanks to the gifts of the priestesses of Kor-tnelis, we had fine materials and clothes. The eagle spent time reminding me how to prepare a seeing-enchantment, so that our horses and trappings would appear more lavish than they were, and we did the best we could to dress the young men in suitable clothes.
Yared followed Seguido and Hodin back to our temporary camp. He had much to tell us then volunteered to accompany us back into the city as a pet of the princess. The eagle was to become Hodin’s hunting bird and it took a little longer for me to convince him that it would be necessary. He practised holding the bird on his forearm and I was grateful that he could not hear the Old One’s comments. I consoled my ancient teacher by suggesting that it was very unlikely that he would need to demonstrate his skill as a sky-hunter. The eagle found Kaileb far more comfortable and endured the ride to the city sitting on the pommel of Kaileb’s horse. The fox, on the other hand was amused by the thought of wearing a decorated collar and simpering on my lap. He demanded treats long before we ever came in view of the city.
We entered Kor-erif in the late afternoon, by the southern gate and gathered enough admiring glances to ensure that, by nightfall, even the Palace would know of our arrival. Seguido and Hodin had found rooms in the home of a spice merchant. He was accustomed to charge an exorbitant fee for the top floor and rooftop garden of his home to visiting Mine Masters. It offered fine views of the Palace, being only two rooftops away. He even boasted to Seguido that it was quite easy to gain access to the outer courts across the roof of his neighbour’s house.
He was annoyingly servile, and I enjoyed showing my indifference to his attempts at humility. I had met his kind in Vellin, fawning minor officials who tried to curry favour at Court. I swept through the apartments, made no comment about the fine quality of the decorations and demanded a warm bath. Hodin found it hard not to grin.
Later, while Smelda supervised our evening meal, I sat down with Hodin, Seguido, the fox, the eagle and Yared.
‘Your man-king and his party are inside the Palace. They are well treated and sit in a small courtyard most afternoons. At first, I would sit on the hill with the wild figs growing and they would wave to me but as time went by, they ignored me. I do not know what is happening to them, Mantle, but perhaps they are bewitched.’
‘Perhaps they are just enjoying themselves,’ Hodin said. He didn’t even believe that himself, but it was preferable to the alternatives. I could not imagine that Ardin and Blue Mantle would delay their search willingly and I could not find many other explanations for their behaviour, except some sort of enchantment. It was important that we meet with them as soon as possible.
Our opportunity came the following day. The Vizier had heard about our arrival and politely invited us to an audience with the young king. To make certain that we understood that acceptance was the only possible answer to our invitation, he sent a troupe of heavily armed soldiers with instructions to return to the palace with the whole of our party.
We were ushered into a small chamber, with elegant, folding doors that opened onto a garden with a pool and filbert trees. It was a pleasant enough place, but everyone felt nervous of the Vizier’s intentions. In order to give them confidence and to maintain our charade, I paced about a little, complaining about being kept waiting. The others kept within their characters too. Smelda fussed timidly while Seguido tried to calm and placate me. I threw up my arms in frustration and went into the garden.
‘Patience, dear sister,’ Hodin followed. ‘Who knows what the customs of this country might be. Do not judge them harshly until you know them better. As a future queen you must learn to bend with the wind a little more. Are you going to behave in this rash fashion when you meet with your future husband?’
‘A good question and some excellent brotherly advice,’ said the man as he emerged from the shadows of some oleander bushes. There must have been a small gate, hidden in the fence. I scowled at him, knowing well that he must be the Vizier but also knowing that the empty-headed princess would have no knowledge of his rank.
‘Sir, you have the advantage of us.’ Seguido hurried to place himself between us.
‘A stalwart and loyal protector.’ The Vizier smiled. ‘You are most welcome to our palace, Captain Vargas. Your landlord has furnished us with all your names. You, your highness must be Prince Hegrin, youngest son of the King of Sansoregn and this must be Princess Jenji.’ He took my hand and bowed low, brushing my skin with his lips. ‘Welcome. I am the King’s uncle and Grand Vizier. Please, let us go and sit and be comfortable. The King will join us shortly.’ He took my hand and guided me to one of the couches and began to ask polite questions about our journey, our homeland and our destination. The questions were polite rather than probing and I felt that there were no sinister motives behind them except a mild interest. The fox, the eagle and wolf felt the same. Hodin found it hard to speak directly to my mind without giving himself away with the look of deep concentration on his face. His impressions of the Vizier came in short snatches whenever he was able to send them.
‘Forgive me, if I am being ungrateful but your summons to the palace and the manner in which we were escorted here seemed a little inappropriate. The Princess is simply breaking her journey in Kor-erif and would prefer as little fuss as possible.’ Seguido stood at my shoulder and it was hard for me not to laugh at the grave expression he wore. ‘Do you treat all royal travellers in this way?’
‘It is the custom,’ the elegant Vizier explained. ‘All royal and important visitors are brought to the Palace. Why, at the moment, we are host to other royal guests. The crown prince of Magra and his close retinue are here, as is the Urvik ambassador to Magra. You will meet them all at dinner.’
I knew the Urvik ambassador. He was the cousin of my stepmother, Remwith’s second wife and had attended my father’s funeral. Shortly after that, he had disappeared. Had he been lingering here in Kor-erif all that time?
‘The crown prince of Magra?’ Hodin nodded at me. Either they had not heard of Ardin’s accession or he had convinced them that he was not king. Either way, we would have to go along with the lie.
A small boy peeped round the door and smiled nervously. The Vizier stood and beckoned him. ‘This is King Freshon, my nephew. Your Majesty, this is Princess Jenji, her brother, Prince Hegrin and the head of their escort, Captain Vargas.’
The boy smiled and then turned to Smelda. ‘And who are you?’ he asked. When Smelda blushed, he approached one of the young men of our company and asked his name. The look of surprise was genuine enough on our faces and it was clear that the Vizier was embarrassed. Secretly, I had taken an immediate liking to the little king.
‘The King insists on treating everyone in his kingdom as equals.’ The Vizier explained.
‘Not a bad approach, if a king is strong enough to exert himself as superior when he needs to do so.’ Seguido remarked. He bowed to the young king.
‘Do you play chess, Captain Vargas?’ The King had lost interest in the rest of us.
‘I do, your Majesty.’
‘Excellent!’ The boy gave his Vizier a sidelong look. ‘If my Vizier allows me to stay up, perhaps we can play after dinner tonight?’
The Vizier nodded.
‘It would be an honour, your Majesty.’ Seguido beamed.
We were ushered to our new chambers and two of our servants were escorted back to the merchant’s home to collect the rest of our belongings. Once they returned, we gathered in Hodin’s room to discuss our first impressions. Both the fox and wolf found no fault with the child or his uncle and the eagle agreed. The child impressed us all and the Vizier appeared to be an honest man.
‘I am perplexed,’ Hodin confessed. ‘Either they have already enchanted us and so we can see no fault in them or there is something deeper and perhaps more disturbing in all of this.’
‘We will meet King Ardin tonight and perhaps we will gather more from what we see in him.’ Seguido fingered the fine wool of the robe that the Vizier had sent for Hodin. ‘This ambassador from Urvik, what do we know of him?’
‘His name is Talisen and he met me at my father’s funeral. He’s my stepmother’s cousin. I hope that I can signal to him to keep our secret but what shall we do if he doesn’t?’ I was beginning to feel that this deception was too dangerous.
‘We brazen it out.’ Hodin squeezed my hand. ‘Leave it to Seguido and me to do most of the talking.’ The pair of them looked so in earnest that when I looked to Smelda, both of us burst into laughter.
The meal was to be served on a terrace overlooking yet another pond fringed with small trees. Strange, white, trumpet flowers hung from every branch and as we were escorted through the garden, it was impossible to ignore their heady perfume. The other guests were already there, and they greeted us with polite interest when Vizier made his introductions.
Ardin took my hand and smiled warmly. ‘My father has a treaty with your father. They never told me that there was an attractive daughter. Urvik is very fortunate that you have chosen to visit them first. If they disappoint you, please visit us in Vellin. I’m sure my father will make you most welcome.’ He left me gaping at Hodin, who explained that my embarrassment was due to a lack of experience in the company of men. Meanwhile, Seguido appeared to be getting surprising answers from Blue Mantle who seemed to think he was a priest and the young Prince Ardin’s spiritual advisor.
X. Memories
As soon as the introductions were over, the Vizier ushered us to our seats, and I was pleased to find that I was seated next to Ardin. He was eager to launch into a conversation with Talisen, who appeared not to recognise me at all.
