Trapped, page 47
part #3 of Treason and Truth Series
Chapa caught his eye. “I’ll let you know when I do, Your Majesty…”
Adeone winked. He looked at Ryson. “Please wait outside, my lord, but my thanks.”
Ryson gave a precise bow and, on leaving, glanced at Daioch. A sad smile fleetingly passed over his face.
A couple of minutes later, hands bandaged, Adeone thanked Iris and Ryson for their presence and told them they could inform the other Lords of Oedran of events. Turning to Tancred, he said, “One for your history books, Your Honour.”
“Maybe, Your Majesty. History, though, has more events unrecorded than any realise. It is often the consequences, rather than the event, which makes such times remembered.”
Adeone nodded, half in thanks, half in dismissal. He waited until Tancred had left before turning to his sons. “I’ve arranged a private dinner for tonight…”
Arkyn smiled. “We’re looking forward to it, father.”
Adeone studied Tain closely. His son stood up to the scrutiny well and seemed perfectly at ease, as though he’d not just witnessed a momentous trial and his father’s blood spilling. He gave them both a careful hug and watched them leave.
Once in private with Landis, Adeone said, “Lord Daioch’s mention of the scribe was new. He obviously never thought about it in Eyllyn. I’ll contact the Tuchlin. Can you reassure Nia? They both have to know he’s innocent straight away. With regards to the scribe, it is, or it could be, a link to Scanlon. A king’s clerk, a justice scribe. Such simple distinctions. Such a wealth of meaning. I wonder if he realises the significance—” There was the click of a door and Chapa joined them. “He will recover,” it was a question, a statement and an order.
Chapa shrugged. “I’d hope so, Your Majesty. I’ll do everything I can. His guard won’t leave his side.”
“No, I noticed that. Part of me is pleased for it. Though next time I speak to Lord Daioch, he will be elsewhere.”
* * *
When Scanlon heard Syri’s report on events, he not only swore but threw things as well. Another plan defeated. Daioch was now untouchable and destined to become Tuchlin. Another province would be lost to a leader loyal to the King. Was it too much to ask that he was given a chance to show the empire how much Adeone was destroying it?
Chapter 78
JULIUS
Imperadai, Week 39 – 18th Teral, 18th Teris 1212
Inner Office
THREE DAYS LATER, Adeone eyed his nearson. At sixteen, Julius was overcoming the gangly stage but still held the slim vigour of youth. He had the Landis good looks to go with it. Some of the young ladies of Court must have an eye on his nearson with his floppy dark blond hair, inherited from his mother, and his blue-grey eyes. He had a rakish sort of charm to go with them, but his behaviour currently didn’t match his physical profile.
Adeone said, “The Steward has finally complained, my lord. You’ve done your reputation no good.”
Julius reddened. “I’m sorry, Sire. I really am. I didn’t realise how much I’d drunk—”
“You may need to apologise to Lord Emrys as well. He shouldn’t have to look after you at such a time. Sit down. I’ve dealt with the Steward, but next time I won’t be so tolerant. I am disappointed by your behaviour, especially given your Uncle Ifor’s current troubles, but I’m not going to start yelling at you. Instead, we need to talk. Don’t look so apprehensive; it certainly doesn’t suit you. Tell me how you are.”
“I’m all right, sir. Well, hungover.”
“Even I, as distracted and beleaguered as I undoubtedly am, can tell you’re not all right. And before you start with it, you can lose the formality. I’m still your nearfather. For both our sins.”
A small smile escaped from Julius. “Sorry, Uncle Adeone. Julia thinks I’m frustrated and bored. Mother just thinks I’ve no sense and father is too busy to notice what I am half the time.”
Adeone sighed. “Julia’s right, I think. Your mother loves you very dearly and is merely concerned for you and, as for your father, blame me, not him. I’m responsible for the work he does.”
“But not for the long hours he spends at it, sir, even before Uncle Ifor’s recent troubles. He could delegate but he won’t. I know it’s hard, but I wish he’d… Oh, I don’t know.”
“You enjoyed being in Macia, just the two of you, didn’t you?”
Julius gave a slight nod. “Yes, but since we returned, it’s been worse than ever.”
“I’ll see what I can do…”
“No, sir, Uncle Adeone, I’d rather you didn’t mention it. It’ll only worry him.”
“I never said I’d raise it with him, but I’ll try to get him a bit more free time… That is, if he doesn’t fill it with something else.”
“That’s the problem,” muttered Julius, flicking his nails together.
“Why are you so bored?”
“It’s the school. I’m fed up with it and well they can’t forget I’m father’s son. He’s not helping. He hadn’t been there for years and now he’s there a lot and I know it’s because of me…”
“Can you keep what I’m about to tell you private? Thank you. It’s not because of you. Your nearcousin wished to give a recent or new graduate a place on his staff and so, as my Chief Advisor, I set your father the task of finding one. Much to his chagrin. He hated the school.”
Julius blushed. “Oh. I… I’ve made a fool of myself, haven’t I?”
“No. Misunderstandings exist for many reasons and few result in, or are due to, foolishness. Why are you so bored at the school?”
“I don’t think I’m cut out to be an advisor, but I didn’t think you’d like me going into law, and, truth be told, I wasn’t enamoured of that either, or the army. What’s worse is I haven’t got a clue what I’d rather be doing, unlike Irvin.”
“That’s nothing out of the ordinary, to my understanding. I think you’ll make a good advisor one day, but I think you learn more by doing something than by being lectured at. Until that opportunity arises, grit your teeth and try not to annoy your lecturers as your father did. At least, for a while. What are you meant to be learning at the moment?”
Julius shrugged. “Wish I knew. Something about the interplay of the different provinces.” He grinned. “Thank you for getting me out of the lecture. I can’t wait until they start with ‘Formalities of the Empire’.”
“That sounds dull. I suppose it covers modes of address and titles.” (Julius nodded, glumly.) “Hmm. Just don’t tell your lecturer you sit in the Inner Office with a whiskey, your feet up on the chair, calling the King ‘Uncle Adeone’. I can’t see you getting top marks.”
Julius laughed. “Maybe not but I’d like to see his face.”
“Then spare my reputation as a ruthless king, if you can.”
“You mean I can tell him?”
“As I doubt he’d believe you, why not? What are your fellow students like?”
“They’re a mixed bunch. I know those of the lordships quite well but others I’m only just getting to know. They seem all right though. There might be friends amongst them. Or could be if they’d see me as me.”
“Give them time. I got to know a few people through your father being there. Some are now influential in their provinces because of it – including your Uncle Ifor. Julius, don’t let boredom and frustration wreck who you are. It wouldn’t be worth the heartache. Reputations are forged when young and can devastate and hold you back for years. It’s not fair, but you won’t be able to hide, or move cities.”
Julius sighed. “I know, Uncle Adeone. I’m trying, but I’m not someone on whom boredom sits easily.”
Adeone ruffled his hair. “No. As I know. To my cost. Start to laugh at the world but don’t let it see you laughing. When you’re not in lectures, do the work set and remember the school isn’t your whole life and your time there is limited. They’re worried whenever your father enters; one day it might be you getting them concerned. Enjoy the thought.”
Julius’ eyes were alight with fun. “Uncle Adeone… Should you be telling me to do any of this?”
Adeone grinned openly. “I’m your nearfather, not your father, and I have a rather different, sympathetic view of what you’re going through. My years being tutored were harder than many realise. I know how that can destroy joy, how it can lead to overcompensating and how it can get you into trouble without realising. Your father and I… well, let’s say we might have overcompensated on occasion.” He chuckled to himself. “There was a time when I accidentally left the paddock gate open. Most of the horses were there as the vet checked them over. One crash later – planned, of course – and the horses bolted. I merrily walked inside and watched as the grooms tried to round them up. Took them hours. All the Palace gates had to be shut.”
Julius laughed. “Did you get into trouble?”
“Father might have had a word with me, lips twitching. If you ever want to talk, moan or let your frustration out, I can listen with pleasure. It’s not just the good times I’m here for.”
“Uncle Adeone… I… Thank you. It’s helped.”
“Good, I’m glad. Now, have you tried…”
Six minutes later Julius left smiling; Adeone watched him go and nodded to himself. Arkyn had been right; Julius had needed to talk to someone outside his family.
Chapter 79
IFOR AND ADEONE
Pentadai, Week 39 – 19th Teral, 19th Teris 1212
Privy Wing – Daioch’s Chambers
THE FOLLOWING DAY, Adeone entered Lord Daioch’s rooms to be greeted by one of the Palace servants. Bemused by the King’s unannounced visit, he informed Adeone that the doctor was with Daioch in the private rooms. Having ensured Daioch was decent, and the servant was taking a couple of hours off, Adeone entered Daioch’s bedchamber again. His friend was sitting with his feet in a bowl of water and Chapa was bandaging up his left hand. Chapa pushed himself to his feet and bowed. Daioch would have risen, but Adeone crossed to him and touched his shoulder.
“Stay where you are. We wouldn’t want the doc’s handiwork undone.”
Daioch watched Adeone and settled back down. “Thank you, Sire.”
Adeone smiled, perching on the edge of his friend’s abandoned bed. “Talking of your handiwork, doc, what’s the verdict?”
Chapa said, “I don’t think Lord Daioch’s likely to suffer long-term damage from his journey, Sire… As you’re here, would you like me to tend to your hands?”
Adeone nodded. “You might as well. Though finish seeing to Ifor.”
Daioch tried to protest, but a glare from Chapa silenced him. A couple of minutes later, Chapa unwound the bandages on Adeone’s hands. Cleaning them, he stopped, puzzled. There were scars suggesting Adeone had cut himself thus before.
“Who tended your other cuts, Sire?”
Adeone held his gaze. “Simkins, and that is as much as you need to know on the matter.”
“Sire—”
“Doc, let me put this bluntly. You will not – in any way, shape or form, by any act – attempt to find out anything from anyone with regard to those scars. What’s more, you’ll not speculate about them either. Have I made myself understood?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Good and if you find a loophole in that list, as I’m sure you will, imagine I closed it.”
“Sire.”
Adeone simply waited until Chapa had risen once more and when the doctor excused himself, he looked over. “Thank you, cousin. We’d be truly lost without you.”
“Thank you, sir, but there are other doctors,” replied Chapa with an odd reticence in his eyes.
Adeone crossed to him, taking him gently by the shoulder. “I’m sorry. You know that all the other doctors in the empire would never replace you, don’t you? Not just because you’re a cousin but because you bully, cajole and keep us in line through deep-seated care. I’m not blind to it – frustrated occasionally, but I wouldn’t change it, or you.”
Chapa held his gaze. There was more to the sentiment and statements than the words could say. “Thank you, Sire, but about that frustration: I think you might benefit from an evening off, with good friends and mellow whiskey.”
Adeone was amused. “That’s put us both back in our place, hasn’t it?”
Chapa laughed. “Seemingly so.”
Wryly, Adeone said, “That evening off – nip and tell Richardson it’ll be tonight and then come to dinner with me, if you can.”
Chapa nodded. “I’d be glad to.”
Once he’d gone, Adeone regarded Daioch and Daioch met the gaze tone for tone. The look lasted a couple of moments before the door opening interrupted it and the guard who had travelled with Daioch entered.
Adeone frowned. “Wait outside these chambers, please.”
The guard said, “Sire, I’m—”
“Wait outside. I shall not ask again.”
The guard saluted and left. Two moments later, Adeone checked he hadn’t simply moved to the adjoining sitting room.
Sitting back down, Adeone said, “We need to talk, Ifor.”
“I didn’t think you were here to look at me, Sire. Certainly I didn’t.”
Adeone grinned. “Not lost that aspect of your personality then.”
“I doubt, Sire, I do very much doubt, that I ever will. I’m sorry, very sorry for everything…”
Adeone smiled sadly. “You’ve done enough to prove how much you regret that small mistake. You don’t need to say any more on the matter; however, I do. I’m sorry I ever had you questioned in such a manner. I let the knowledge that friends may betray me get the better of my judgement. I regret that more than you can imagine. It forced us both into actions that were out of proportion to the mistake that was made. I hope you can forgive me for it.”
Daioch watched Adeone’s face and realised why he’d ordered the guard well out of earshot. The King could never be heard to apologise for something that he had a duty to do.
“Sire, I chose the method of my trial.”
“Yes, but I should never have put you in the position where you had to,” admitted Adeone.
“Yes, you should, Sire, you really should. I could have knowingly sent that gift assuming because we correspond on a personal level that you’d never suspect it. You had to do what you did, as much as I had to do what I did…”
“Yet you’ve paid such a heavy price.”
Ifor frowned slightly. “I’m sure your cousin, the former Chief Merchant, would tell you that the price paid for any goods is proportionate to what the purchaser is willing to pay to the vendor. I was willing, more than willing, to swear a life-binding fealty; I would have sworn one had you asked without provocation.”
“I would never have asked,” protested Adeone.
“No but I would have done it had you needed me to, most certainly I would. You are the King we need.”
Adeone sighed. “I sometimes wonder.”
“Then, my liege, might I say you needn’t?”
“As you just have there isn’t much I can do about it; however, let us end this discussion before I pour out any more of my heart. I have a couple of questions for you though. Why did you stop eating and drinking?”
Daioch shrugged. “My sentence to myself: I had a debt to pay – for even though I was innocent in whatever conspiracy there was, my name was linked to that gift…”
Adeone regarded him. “Ifor, you’re a bloody fool at times for all you’re a politician – thinking about it, they’re the same thing.”
“Thank you, Sire – your compliments never cease to amaze me.”
Adeone laughed and his eyes met Lord Daioch’s amused ones. “I get the hint. I will ask you no more of your journey here. Congratulations on making Chapa earn his money though. I’ve been trying to succeed at that for years.”
Lord Daioch said, “He is certainly different, Your Majesty, very different.”
Adeone nodded. “Yes. Has he patched you up?”
“Yes. Once he remembered he couldn’t use balms that had been in contact with metal…”
“He’s meant to be clever!”
“He’s getting on a bit.”
Adeone snorted. “Yes, as he reminds everyone at every opportunity. Now, there are a couple of people I wish you to meet properly before you travel home… My sons. Come to Ceardlann for a day. One day Arkyn will be your king.”
“Not for many years, I hope.”
“I thought you were more erudite than that,” grumbled Adeone.
Ifor smoothed down the edge of his bandage. “I cannot consider your death now, sir. I cannot and would not even if I could. I chose to bear these scars and I will continue to bear them. I meant the words of the fealty.”
“I know, Ifor, it’s just the loyalty of others when given as you gave yours makes me uncomfortable. It’s nice to know you can’t betray me, but I don’t like having friends who can’t question me.”
“Maybe those friends don’t mind, sir. I took an oath as Deputy Governor. I’ve just reaffirmed it to my mind and Lord Scanlon, if you’ll pardon my bluntness, can go to Sicla’s Cavern! I’m your vassal and I am happy to be that, very happy.”
Adeone noted Ifor had realised who must have set him up. Without acknowledging it, he said, “Even if I’m unhappy that it’s to such an extent?”
“Then I feel concerned that I’ve caused you distress, my liege, but there’s not much I can do, not much at all. I’m made this way.”
Adeone laughed. “There are times, Ifor, I could quite cheerfully throw you to the wolves.”
“Please don’t, Sire. I happen to like my life and have been at some pains to extend it.”
Adeone sighed. “What can I do against such persuasion? How is life on the Low Plains…?”
* * *
When they were disturbed, it was by Landis. The Lord of Oedran entered the room smiling in an amused way, catching Ifor’s eye with a look that reminded Adeone more strongly than any words could have done that they were wed-brothers.
