Treason, page 29
part #1 of Treason and Truth Series
“Not good enough, Landis. You could tell me what you do know.”
Cornered, he started to say, “If I did that, I’d be breaking faith with…” He trailed off. If he even said his name, he’d have broken Arkyn’s faith.
Adeone snapped, “You might remember that if you don’t answer me, Landis, you’re breaking my faith also! Somehow that might be the more important.”
Equally annoyed by Adeone ordering him to break a confidence, Landis demanded, “Yet I must break faith with someone neither of us would ever want to?” In a resolute voice that was meant to end the discussion, he said, “The situation is being taken care of, sir.” Before Adeone could reply, Landis bowed and opened the door.
“I never gave you leave to go, Landis.”
Landis paused momentarily before continuing. He got as far as the door to the Audience Chamber before he felt a hand on his arm.
Richardson whispered, “My lord, it would be better if you went back to the King. If you don’t today, I’m not sure your friendship will survive it.”
Furious, Landis said, “How dare you presume, Richardson!”
“Because today was Queen Ira’s birthday, my lord; the King doesn’t forget Her Grace and he’s tearing himself apart at the moment.”
With gritted teeth, Landis turned back. “You just had to remind me!”
The administrator moved aside. “I didn’t know what else to do, sir.”
Landis glared at him before re-entering the Inner Office. Adeone eyes burned through him and, now he had let go of his preoccupation, Landis saw the pain in them. He let the door close and then, as tradition dictated he should, he knelt.
“Pass me your King’s Token!” commanded the King.
Richardson had been right. If he’d walked away, he’d never have walked back. He located the token and, still kneeling, passed it to Adeone, who had moved round to collect it.
Adeone put it on his desk. “Must I ask you again what concerns you?”
Landis tried to refuse one last time. “I beg you, don’t make me—”
“Don’t demean yourself; you never beg,” spat Adeone. “I need to know and if it will help salve your conscience, you will have no choice but to tell me. Pass me your hands.”
For the first time, Landis shrank from the power in Adeone’s face. Compelled to do so, he raised his hands, palms upward, fearing what the King was about to do. Adeone placed his hands palm down on top.
“In truth, Lord Landis, what concerns you so deeply?”
The words left Landis’ lips without freewill. “In truth, my liege, Prince Arkyn is being followed by a vigilant; whom we believe is Gad.”
Shocked, Adeone nearly broke the contact but he had to know one more thing. “In truth, why didn’t you just tell me?”
“In truth, my liege, because I told Prince Arkyn I would not.”
Adeone felt sick. He nearly said ‘Forget I asked’ to wipe the memory from Landis’ mind, but he couldn’t do it, couldn’t add insult to injury. He lifted his hands, turned, picked up the token, placed it back in Landis’ hands and, shaking, left for his private quarters.
Once the door closed, Landis swore roundly. Not because he’d been forced to tell Adeone but because of the way his friend had looked when he’d realised he’d made Landis break Arkyn’s confidence. Landis stood in the office for a moment before thinking that convention didn’t have a place at such a time.
Entering the sitting room, he crossed to the sideboard, pouring his friend a whiskey.
Even as he took it, Adeone said, “Thank you but just leave me alone.”
“Not a chance of that.”
“Leave me, Landis!” ordered Adeone.
“I’m not going anywhere. Rant and rave at me as much as you want to. Just do what you need to but don’t expect me to walk away when you’re obviously in need of support. That’s not what a friend is. Especially when I’m the reason you’re in this mood.”
Adeone continued staring at nothing. “Why are you pushing me today?”
“Because I’m a bloody fool! What else do you expect?”
“You certainly are.” Adeone shrank down, and Landis knew that he was relaxing for the first time that day. “I’m—”
“You don’t need to apologise. I was being mulish.”
Adeone finally turned to him. “No, I was being too… autocratic. I should have realised that you— Alcis, there are times I hate myself. Festus, let me just say this… I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, Adeone – so am I. Now, are you going to hide in here for the rest of the day?”
The King downed his drink. “No. I’m going to spread my stress around. What’s more, you’re going to help – if only to stop me going too far again.”
“Very well, Sire,” replied Landis carefully.
“You don’t want to be there, do you?”
“I’d rather Prince Arkyn didn’t know I betrayed his confidence, sir.”
“You didn’t. There is no choice when I ask you as I did. I forced it from you. He’ll… understand.”
“I only hope you’re right, sir, because I feel as though I’ve let him down.”
Adeone said, “I’ve been letting him down ever since Ira died.”
Landis shook his head. “You know that’s not true. You’ve never let the boys down. Trust me on that.”
Adeone looked at his friend with unspoken thanks. Landis saw some of the guilt and pain leaving the familiar features, and he was glad of it. Adeone felt things deeply; over the years, he’d learned to deal with such feelings, but Ira’s death had knocked down the walls he’d built in his mind and it was taking a long time to sift through the rubble to rebuild them.
* * *
Once in the Inner Office, Adeone summoned Richardson and asked to speak to Arkyn, Edward, Paturn, Wynfeld and Pixney. Twelve minutes later, a very puzzled Arkyn and Edward were admitted.
“Prince Arkyn, you’re returning to the Rex Dallin as soon as possible. Edward, please go and arrange that. Anything His Highness was meant to be doing, see Richardson knows about it and I’ll send his apologies.”
As Edward left, Arkyn eyed his father and nearfather uncertainly. Once the door closed, he asked why.
Hating himself, Adeone said, “Because I say so, Arkyn. For the moment, please just accept that I need you safe.”
“This hasn’t anything to do with last night, has it, Lord Landis?” enquired Arkyn accusingly.
Adeone cut in. “Your nearfather held out until I forced a fealty reading.”
Arkyn read the truth in Landis’ face. “I’m sorry, Uncle Festus. I still think, though, that I—”
“You can think what you want, Arkyn, as long as you are in the Rex Dallin,” retorted his father. “I’m not having you threatened like this.”
“It was paranoia, father. Nothing more—”
Landis broke in, “I’m afraid it was a bit more than that, sir.”
Arkyn whipped around. “There was no-one there, Uncle Festus. It was just me being stupid. You know that!”
“It wasn’t, Your Highness. Honestly, it wasn’t paranoia. There was a vigilant in the Court. I glimpsed him from the corner of my eye.”
Arkyn turned back to his father. “Then I can help catch them, father. They’re obviously interested in me.”
“You’re not bait and I’m not having a discussion,” snapped Adeone. “You’re leaving for the Rex Dallin. No argument.”
Arkyn’s face set. “What do I tell the Comptroller, Tain and Elantha?”
“You can tell the Comptroller the truth. As for your brother and cousin, tell them that you became bored. Arkyn, enough! You’re leaving for the Rex Dallin. I’m sorry but—”
“Mother would never have let you do this!”
Adeone’s face twitched.
Landis broke in. “Your Highness, your mother would only ever have wanted your safety as your father does. She loved you deeply and would never have wanted you in danger. This decision isn’t easy for your father, but he’s trying to ensure you’re safe. Your mother would have understood.”
Gripping the edge of his desk, Adeone pleaded, “Don’t make this harder for me. I don’t want you in the Rex Dallin. I wish you could always be here, but you’ve got to at least accept that I’m trying to protect you in the best way I can. She’d want that.”
Arkyn said, grudgingly, “I know, but I’m old enough to make my own choices.”
“I never doubt that, my son, and your choices will always be sensible and certainly more apt than mine ever were at your age, but sometimes I must be everything I hate. I have to order you.”
Arkyn looked at his father. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“Don’t be sorry for putting your opinions across, Arkyn. Just come and give your father a hug.” Adeone held him in that hug for longer than normal, taking strength and comfort from it. When they broke apart, he tousled his son’s hair. Half choked with emotion, he said, “Just remember, that your mother would be proud of you and I am proud of you beyond what I can declare.”
“Come to Ceardlann with me.”
“I’ll think about it, Arkyn. Now, disappear and leave your beleaguered father to drown under responsibility.”
The Prince left, knowing what ‘I’ll think about it’ meant.
Adeone watched the door close. “He puts me to shame sometimes.”
“No, sir, he’s your son – every inch of him. Will you go to Ceardlann tonight? It might mend a bridge or two.”
Adeone sighed. “I know. I’ll see how things go with everyone else.”
Landis said, “Shall I see if they’re here, sir?”
A few moments later, General Paturn, Captain Wynfeld and Captain Pixney had entered and saluted. After a significant glance from the King, Landis moved directly behind him. The very presence of Landis in that position told the others that this meeting concerned the protection of the King.
“Right, I’m not going to trouble to be diplomatic about this,” said Adeone. “I want Gad caught and yesterday wasn’t soon enough. You’ve had over a year and I’m not happy, gentleman. He’s managed to infiltrate the Palace again and has even turned his attention on Prince Arkyn. My life I can accept being under threat but my sons’ I will not. You’ve got a fortnight to show me some improvement in locating him. We know he’s in Oedran and we know he’s visiting the Palace. Get checking people. My patience is running out! That’s all.” After the three men had saluted and left, Adeone eyed Landis. “You’d better go and invite yourself into the crisis meeting that Paturn will have just set up. I meant the fortnight deadline. I can’t keep Arkyn out of Oedran for long, not anymore.”
Landis said, “I know. Is there anything you want me to point out?”
“I want resignations if that man isn’t found by the end of the winter. I’m not a tyrant but no-one – wanted as much as that man is – should be able to hide for this long – vigilant or no.”
Chapter 50
CRISIS MEETING
Late Morning
Barracks – General Paturn’s Office
LANDIS RETURNED TO THE BARRACKS in a grim mood. Adeone should never have been put in the position of losing his composure to such a degree.
He didn’t blame his friend for the fealty reading or the consequences, but he wanted to make sure there weren’t further repercussions. Adeone had been understanding until Arkyn was targeted and that said everything anyone needed to know about the King.
He gave the day’s password to the men on the gates, who didn’t even bother listening before they’d saluted. His quick eyes missed nothing as he strode through the barracks, acknowledging the salutes of officers and soldiers.
He glanced at the General’s corporal-clerk and simply received a nod. The man either considered stopping Landis beyond his remit, or the General expected him, conceivably both.
He entered Paturn’s office with the briefest of courtesy knocks. The office itself was large enough to contain the General’s work-a-day desk, a simple chair, a set of shelves and a large table for laying out plans, or meeting with his officers. It contained no ornamentation, nothing that stamped General Paturn’s personality on it until one realised that the lack of ornamentation was part of Paturn’s personality as much as an ornament might reflect someone else’s.
The General was poring over a map of Oedran. “Checking up on us, Defender?”
“It’s in all our interests to see that we catch Gad, General. I’m here to remind you of that fact. Also, I want him caught. It’s been over a year and the only reason we’re not hunting two men is because I killed Adson. Strangely, I have no wish to see the King or Prince Arkyn suffering what I did. So, we are going to find this man.”
The General straightening up gave a belated salute. “I hope so, sir. You know, I saw something of the old king in King Adeone’s manner today.”
“You’re not the only one, General. Did it concern you?”
“A bit. King Altarius got what he wanted or people paid the price. King Adeone gets what he needs without having to resort to such measures. I wouldn’t like to see that change.”
“Yes, and we both know there are far worse methods than the King’s; however, he’s not pleased with the lack of progress. What time did you order the meeting for?”
Paturn never considered how Landis knew about it. “About twelve minutes. Did His Majesty ask you to attend? The rest of them don’t have to know, but I’d like to.”
“Yes, he did, but I’d have come anyway,” said Landis honestly.
Twelve minutes later, they were joined by Wynfeld and Pixney. The Major of Oedran had also been invited and one of Wynfeld’s clerks was there to make notes.
Landis deferred to the General for chairing the meeting, even though as King’s Defender he could have taken over.
The General said, “No damned excuses, Wynfeld, why haven’t you caught Gad before now? You have a decent description. You know his name and where he’s from. It’s about time you widened your net.”
Wynfeld tried to remain calm. “We’re doing everything we can, sir. We’re just no closer to locating him. I can even tell you what his favourite foods are, but it still doesn’t help in finding him.”
Landis snorted. “You simply have to make sure you have people talking to every purveyor of his favourite foods until you find the one selling him them.”
Wynfeld said, “If only it were that simple, my lord.”
“It shouldn’t be much harder,” remarked Paturn. “You have a thick file on the man already. Surely there are things in there which could be used to entrap him.”
“I’m sure there are, sir, but, equally, if we don’t know exactly where his haunts are, then we have a problem. He’s never returned to the Teran Arms, that much we do know. We have located the prostitute and pimp whom Hillbeck informed us were there on one occasion and, do what we may, they haven’t a clue who the men were. The prostitute admits that she was paid to distract Hillbeck but that’s all she knew. On the positive side, she is now working for us. A regular income was enough to buy her loyalty.”
The Major said, “I’m pleased that you are increasing the informers on your books Wynfeld, but your work still needs to be improved. The King wants this man caught and we’ve got to make sure he is. He must be living somewhere. Are we certain that he isn’t in touch with the head gardener?”
“As certain as I can be, Major. I’ve got Blackwood so closely watched he’s beginning to be paranoid.”
Landis interrupted, “Back off a couple of paces and see if he will lead us to his cousin. He’ll be no help to us if he knows he’s watched.”
“Very good, sir. I’ll pull back, but I am not going to leave him unobserved.”
The General said, “Pixney, what can be done about the fact that Gad has been noticed at Court?”
“Not much, unless we’re alerted when he’s there.”
“Not good enough,” remarked Paturn. “We’ve just had an ultimatum. Saying there’s nothing you can do is obstructive. Have you got the plans of the Palace?”
Pixney unrolled them, saying, “This shows all entrances to the Court and the layout of it. It also shows the servants’ routes as well. The guards’ positions are shown with crosses and the servers with dots.”
“Defender, where was the man when you spotted him?” asked Paturn.
Landis got up and tried to orientate himself. “About here, General. Prince Arkyn was here.”
“I’ll give our man this much credit,” said Paturn. “He can choose his spot. He’d be out of the peripheral vision of all the guards and servers. Most of the Court don’t pay attention to what’s around them.”
Studying the plan, Wynfeld remarked, “Maybe then we ought to think about moving the guards’ and servers’ positions…”
Pixney shrugged. “I can move the guards’ positions only so far and we’d need to consult the Steward to move the servers—”
“As Defender, I can simply tell him to move them, or the King can,” chipped in Landis dismissively. “Do we know who all the servers are?”
Pixney replied, “I’m afraid the Steward was being rather protective about the lists of staff in the Palace, my lord. He wouldn’t let them out of the building.”
Landis frowned. “We’ll have to have another meeting in the Palace as well – that is, if we want to sort this out today. If it can wait until tomorrow, I will get the clerks to copy the list. I won’t have the Steward obstruct us.”
Wynfeld said, “Both might be more useful, my lord.”
“Why?” asked the General.
“We can sort out today’s problems and then I can go through the lists and predict tomorrow’s, sir. I could do with a complete list of the guards as well, Pixney.”
Landis crooked an eyebrow. “Are you thinking about being anticipatory and not reactionary, Wynfeld?”
“I’m trying to carry on the traditions that made this city great, my lord, and also stop our King being killed,” replied Wynfeld, inwardly enjoying surprising Landis.
“We all are. Let’s work out the best placing for everyone so that the corners of the rooms are covered. If we keep the Court secure, we have done something.”
