Trapped, page 48
part #3 of Treason and Truth Series
The King said mildly, “Planning some mischief?”
Ifor smiled. “Not at all, Sire, not at all. Festus is merely taking advantage of my presence in Oedran.”
“I dread to imagine what for. You’re not to be working whilst you’re recovering.”
Ifor shook his head. “I would never go against Your Majesty’s wishes. Your wish is my command.”
Festus chuckled. “He really means that as well, Adeone. I’d watch out if I were you.”
Adeone said, “On the contrary, Festus: Ifor is one man I now don’t have to watch, unlike my Lords of Oedran.”
“Then I’m happy to disillusion Your Majesty by stating that I’m completely trustworthy, Sire,” replied Landis with a laugh.
Ifor muttered, “Never believe an outright declaration such as that!”
Adeone winked. “I never do. Festus, did you disturb us for a reason?”
“Depends on your interpretation, sir. Ifor, are you up to seeing Emrys?”
Ifor hesitated. “I don’t know. How is he?”
“The same as any adolescent who’s not seen his father for a time.”
“What’s this about?” enquired Adeone concerned.
Ifor looked away, but was compelled to answer. “How can I face him, Sire? I have disgraced our name.”
Adeone glanced at Landis, who raised an eyebrow eloquently.
“You must decide that for yourself, but I might suggest that you have to.” He willed Ifor to meet his eye. When he did, Adeone said, “There is no disgrace in my mind.”
Ifor blinked. “My liege, when I have my own head straight, I might try to sort his out.”
Landis laughed. “Good luck.”
Adeone chuckled. “I’ll second that. Our sons’ minds are their own, luckily.”
Ifor smiled in spite of himself. “I’ll see him before long, Festus, but not quite yet.”
Landis sighed. “Nia’s also said she’s not heard from you…”
Adeone cursed inwardly. “Ifor, don’t go through this alone. Let your family support you. Our families are the most important people in our lives, whether we acknowledge it openly or not. Don’t shut them out.”
Seeing Ifor deep in thought, Adeone changed the subject. “I’d better leave you two to talk. Keep Festus out of trouble, Ifor, whilst I cause some.”
Ifor got up. “I can certainly try, Your Majesty.”
“Certainly very trying,” muttered Landis.
Chapter 80
DINNER AND DEBATE
Hexadai, Week 39 – 20th Teral, 20th Teris 1212
Inner Office
THE FOLLOWING EVENING, Lord Emrys arrived for dinner with Arkyn to discover a rare change of plan. He was to be dining with the King and, making their way to the King’s Chambers, he asked Arkyn why.
Arkyn said mildly, “Because the King is the King.”
The Prince wasn’t given to enigmatic answers, so Emrys got the message to stop asking questions but his stomach turned. He liked the King. Had spent several enjoyable evenings at Landis House with him present, but the subterfuge spoke of something far deeper and more worrying. His father was life-bound. Where did that leave him?
They entered the Inner Office and bowed. The King was seated behind his imposing desk. Was he really still working?
Adeone rose. “Lord Emrys, I’m sorry for the ruse, but I thought if I sent the invitation you’d get concerned. Your father’s next door and, I have to admit, doesn’t realise you’re going to be here. He said he had to get his head straight before seeing you, but I rather suspected that was going to take far too long.”
Lord Emrys swallowed. “I…” then sagged. “I don’t think he wants to see me, Sire.”
Adeone said quietly, “He does, but he doesn’t know what to say, that’s all. Go on, just walk into the room and half the issue will resolve itself. As for the other half, ask your Uncle Festus to join me and that might well solve that.”
Emrys took a deep breath, “Very well, Sire,” he bowed and then hesitated momentarily before squaring his shoulders and entering the triniculum.
As Landis left, Emrys watched his father get up and hold out his arm. Emrys crossed to him. Wrapped in a hug, he fought back the flowing tears. Had he really been that tense without realising?
Daioch said, “I’ve let you down. I’ve let you all down so much.”
Wiping his eyes, Emrys broke free. “No, you haven’t, father.”
Ifor turned away. “I’ve brought shame on our name, Emrys. Shame you’ll bear as I do.”
Emrys fought hard with himself. He’d always been taught never to question his father, but he had to; yet a lifetime’s habit was hard to break. “I don’t think there’s shame in innocence, father, and I don’t believe anyone else does. There’s honour in what you’ve done, what you’ve endured. You’ve given us all something to be proud of. You didn’t accept a fate that was unjust; you fought it in your own way and proved yourself erudite. How many men knew of the existence of the law you invoked? How many men realised the power of what you’ve done? None, but now our name is known throughout the empire and history will remember it. How is that shame? History will record that you sacrificed freedom in the name of justice and truth.”
“Maybe it was a selfish act, a purely selfish act,” suggested his father.
“No, I can’t believe it and you know it wasn’t. I’ve heard you talk of the King behind closed doors. You admire and respect him. You would never have bound yourself thus unless you did. A selfish act means that you thought only of yourself. You didn’t, you considered us all, I know it. The King needed to be given faith back in his officials. You’ve done that and you’re here proving your support every day. Who cares what gossips say? I don’t, mother and my sisters don’t. I rather think His Majesty scoffs at them, the gossips that is, and the Princes both admire your resolve. Where is the disgrace for us in that?”
Ifor turned to face him and, for the first time, Emrys saw his father as a man who needed support.
“Father, whatever has happened, we still love you.”
Ifor pulled his son towards him and held him in another hug; there was no reply he could make and part of him knew he’d never look at Emrys in the same way again. He’d grown up, no longer a child but a man to be proud of.
They sat down and, when the moment seemed right, Emrys said, “Have you spoken to mother?”
“No. I don’t know what to say over messenger. I’m going to ask the King if I may return home. I am out of place in Oedran these days.”
“Why doesn’t mother come here for a time?”
Daioch sighed. “There is history there better unstirred, Emrys.”
“At least ask her, father. She might get annoyed at an assumption.”
“So she might. I know your Uncle Festus would like to see her.”
Emrys smiled. “Yes, but then he could visit us also.”
Ifor shook his head. “Not easily, Emrys, not easily at all. I don’t think any of us, even His Majesty, truly realises how hard he works.”
“Yet he’s got a reputation that almost suggests the opposite. His post as Defender is ceremonial—”
“Not in the times we live in, Emrys, certainly not.”
“As Chief Advisor, though, he doesn’t seem to be in his office here much of the time.”
Ifor chuckled. “It doesn’t mean he’s not working. He’s just efficient, annoyingly efficient.”
“I suppose so. It’s very odd living with him. You know there’s more to the house and possibly the household than meets the eye. My groom says his never let him get too close to them or their business. They’ll talk to him, but then they’ll suddenly look at each other and he can’t get anything out of them.”
Ifor chuckled again. “Oh dear. Hasn’t he worked that one out yet? Keep this to yourself, Emrys, but your uncle’s grooms are also his facilitators, for want of a better, polite word. They’re the ones who make sure the house is secure, they sort out the people caught spying, pass on messages to certain city lowlife and collect information.”
Emrys’ face became a picture of realisation. “Oh, now it makes sense. As long as Drystan is giving them gossip, they’ll listen, but as soon as he seems to be wanting information, they clam up. They’re using him to find out… what?”
“Whatever they can.”
“I’ll be careful around them then.”
Lord Daioch nodded. “It might be wise, very wise. Shall we tell His Majesty that we’re talking once again before I reveal any more of your uncle’s secrets accidentally?”
“That wasn’t accidental, father, but we can certainly tell him we’re talking.”
* * *
At the end of the meal, Arkyn, Landis and Emrys left to spend what remained of the evening at Court. Daioch said he would get an early night and cursed himself when he saw a flash of emotion on Emrys’ face. Adeone mildly pointed out it was probably the best idea, as Ifor’s feet were still healing and to stand for hours at Court wouldn’t do them any good.
Once the door closed Adeone looked steadily at Ifor, who said softly,
“Thank you, Sire.”
The King smiled. “It’s what friends are for. We all do foolish things, trust me on that. Come and have a drink in more congenial surroundings, then, I promise, you can have an early night.”
Daioch pushed himself to his feet. “Thank you, sir.”
Once in the King’s sitting room Adeone passed Daioch a drink and eased himself into a chair, nodding for Ifor to do likewise.
“How are your hands?”
“Healing beautifully, Sire, thank you. How are yours?”
“The same. Ifor, in here I am simply Adeone. I mean that.”
“Just like before?”
Adeone smiled. “Just like before. Have I changed that much?”
“Not in essentials, never in essentials, but in the image you present to the world, I think maybe. You still watch the world with amused eyes, very amused eyes.”
“How diplomatic, Ifor. Did you have lessons in it?” enquired Adeone, tongue-in-cheek.
“I believe I did but it was never my strength.”
Adeone eyed him. “I think it is, because you know how not to be. How is Emrys?”
Ifor hesitated. “Conflicted but supportive. It is not easy for him and he will live with my foolishness longer than me. It will haunt his days, his position. I do not know how to make that right.”
“I will do what I can, Ifor. I make you that promise. Julius and Finian will help too, and I wouldn’t put it past my sons as well. Arkyn seems to be enjoying Emrys’ company and Tain, well… I have faith in his character and so does Tancred.”
“I was interested, very interested, that Judge Tancred is His Highness’ mentor.”
“Why?” enquired Adeone, puzzled.
“There are stories, rumours of his history on the Low Plains—”
Adeone sighed. “Which man in authority has not had rumours to contend with, Ifor? We both suffer regularly.”
Daioch chuckled, but his heart constricted: the King didn’t want to hear any rumours. He knew it as clearly as he knew his name. “Very true, sir, very true. If he has your trust, the past should be left alone where there is only rumour. It was pleasant to see His Honour again after so long.”
Adeone tilted his head. “It has been too long. Tell me something, my friend: what would you do if I were to name you Tuchlin?”
Daioch stared. “I… don’t know. Is it something Your Majesty is likely to do?”
Adeone frowned. “Ifor, can you try to get through this discussion without any formality?”
Ifor paled and nodded.
Adeone looked at him closely, “What’s wrong?”
The words left Daioch involuntarily. “I have displeased you.”
Adeone frowned. “But… That’s never made you lose colour before.”
“I wasn’t under a life-bind before, si… Adeone.”
Adeone swore to himself. “I… Ifor, I’m not displeased, just frustrated. It’s forgotten, truly. We’re both going to have to get used to this. Alcis, I’m sorry for what my overreaction has caused.”
“Adeone, please believe me. I am not. Most certainly I am not. I did this in full understanding of the consequences. I respect you, and trust your judgements; if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have bound myself so closely. I don’t want to question you, don’t want to annoy you. You’re my liege, always will be. You and your sons can always count on my support, whatever happens; you always could, but now the empire knows it.”
Adeone got up and detached the decanter. He refilled Daioch’s glass and his own before walking over to the window but couldn’t see out because of the reflection of the bright room behind him. He turned back to Daioch, who was watching him uncertainly.
“Ifor, I always thought that you gave your loyalty too easily. I am not as astute as you believe.”
“I gave you my loyalty before you were King, Adeone, long before you were King. As I remember, astuteness was secondary to mischief at that time. Respect isn’t always born out of tradition.”
“You mean you respected my abilities to cause complete and utter havoc?”
Daioch rolled the whiskey around his glass, letting its amber brilliance catch the candlelight. “Very much so, but I also respected you for realising that as King maybe that wasn’t the best idea. Adeone, please accept that this has happened. I’m life-bound to you and I don’t care that I am. I don’t care at all. I’m glad of it.”
Adeone sank onto his chair. “I can’t get my head around it, that’s all, but I won’t speak of it again. You mentioned my sons, but you’ve met only one of them properly. Come to Ceardlann for a couple of days and get to know Tain.”
“I’d be glad to meet him, Adeone, very glad. Is he at all like Arkyn?”
Adeone laughed. “No. Arkyn mostly takes after his mother. Tain, I’m sorry to say, takes after me. Where Arkyn is reserved, Tain most certainly is not, but he’s not wild. He targets his mischief with a precision that is worrying.”
Ifor chuckled. “Certainly the son is like the father.”
Adeone smiled ruefully. “Yes. I had to tell him about Scanlon and it’s concentrated his mind. Even Cal can’t distract him completely.”
“Who?”
Adeone smiled slightly. “One Master Calumiel Galdwin. He’s the son of a cloth merchant and made Tain’s acquaintance shortly before Ira died. When I took Tain and Arkyn to Ceardlann, after Ira’s death, I persuaded Master Galdwin, after quite a fraught discussion, to let Cal go also. The boys needed a confidant and friend and I recognised in Tain and Cal the right sort of friendship, rather like mine and Festus’. He’s a good lad and I rather suspect will always be a good friend to both my sons.”
“Arkyn also?”
“Yes, I think so. You know, I wonder what the future will bring for all those children under my care. Not just my sons and niece but my wards and nearchildren, and Cal, who is none of those. I shouldn’t say it, but there are days when Cal almost feels like part of my family.”
Ifor smiled. “If he has lived amongst you for three years, it is not surprising – family is many things, Adeone.”
“I suppose it is. Master Galdwin, though, would be horrified if he heard me talk of Cal in such terms. He doesn’t approve of his involvement with my family.”
“Then how did you persuade him to let Cal live at Ceardlann?”
“I persuaded him in terms he understood, with a helping hand from your long-suffering wed-brother.”
Seeing a pensive mood come over Adeone, Daioch asked, “So why is Master Galdwin so disapproving?”
Adeone sighed. “He had two cousins, both of whom went missing during my father’s reign. One with the rebellion in 1169 and one later. When I was trying to persuade him to let Cal live with us Fitz did some digging but the conclusions couldn’t set Master Galdwin’s mind at rest when I gave them him.”
“After all this time, that’s not surprising. What do you think happened to them?”
Adeone shrugged. “I expect one died in the rebellion, the other was a maid here. I can only think she left of her own accord and didn’t want her family to know why. Even here, a maid can’t disappear without someone noticing.”
“Contrary to popular belief,” replied Daioch. “This Cal’s happy though?”
“He seems to be. Has the same ups and downs as any lad his age but is generally happy. He writes to his family, close and extended, most days, but he hasn’t asked to leave. I can see some interesting years ahead for them all. I hope I do see them as well.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Adeone swallowed. “I’m not, Ifor, I’m really not. The future is shortening for me every day.”
“Every day, every man is a day closer to his death, Adeone.”
The King glared at him. “I think you know what I meant, Ifor, but thank you for the cheery thought. I’ll have it as my epitaph. I can imagine the stonemason’s expression carving that as my memorial,” Adeone looked at his friend steadily. “I’ve just remembered; I never had an answer to my question about what would you do if I named you Tuchlin?”
“Ah. I would have to accept, sir, but our governor is capable and astute, most certainly he is.”
Adeone tilted his head, almost as though in agreement. “The time might be right for a change.”
“I’m happy as Deputy Governor, Adeone. Truly I am. I’m very happy. I would not like to think I had pushed out Lord Aldwy.”
“You wouldn’t have done so. When’s the next Low Plains Review?”
Ifor frowned. “Provincial, 1220. Law, 1219.”
“It was the provincial I was interested in. I’d rather Arkyn didn’t have to replace another governor…”
Ifor smiled. “He didn’t replace the Sagamore, Sire… sorry.”
Adeone eyed him. “I’ll forgive you. You’re right, but he’s the first Arkyn’s not replaced.”
“Adeone, Portur was murdered! It wasn’t as though Prince Arkyn had any choice than to replace him. He had no choice at all. The Domini was replaced on the recommendation of Lord Iris, who is now King’s Counsellor, as well as your own feelings on the matter. His Highness isn’t recommending the replacement of governors because he wants to abuse the power you grant him, most certainly he’s not. He’s replaced them because they need replacing for whatever reason. I can’t believe he’d replace the Tuchlin, can’t believe it at all.”
