King’s Wrath (15 page)

Kirin seemed to straighten. She thought she might even have heard him sigh before he addressed their captor. ‘General Stracker, wherever this is leading, my wife is entirely innocent. Her brother, whom she hasn’t seen for years, suddenly started looking for her to let her know her mother has died.’ He shrugged. ‘Sounds feasible to me. You say he is Vested. She tells you she didn’t know this. But if she is Vested then it makes sense that he could be also. They say the power of magic can run in families. Please, General Stracker, she is a simple girl from Medhaven with no knowledge of palace life, politics or intrigues. Do you agree?’

Lily was stunned when Stracker’s face clouded. He looked momentarily hesitant and then he nodded. His lips seemingly struggling to open, finally he said, ‘I agree.’

Kirin’s gaze moved to Vulpan. ‘You expressed some confusion, Master Vulpan, but I suspect you too can agree that Mrs Felt has no case to answer. She should be given her freedom to leave the palace.’

Vulpan’s brow creased in what looked to be a momentary bewilderment. Lily’s own puzzlement intensified. What was going on?

‘Master Vulpan?’ Kirin prompted.

‘Yes, yes, I agree. So long as the general agrees.’

‘Thank you. General Stracker. Can we let my wife leave right now, please?’

Stracker looked fully perplexed now. He was concentrating hard but couldn’t shake the mystification in his expression. ‘You are who I wish to talk with. I see no reason for her to remain here. She may go,’ he said.

Kirin turned to Lily and she saw his remaining good eye had drooped. She realised what he had done for her and felt herself crumple inside, like all the wind had been knocked out of her.

‘There is no time for long goodbyes, Lily,’ Kirin said, forcing another of his sad smiles. ‘Go now.’ His voice was light, despite the struggle she could see he was having. ‘Please, Lily. General Stracker and Master Vulpan have kindly released you from here. My suggestion is that you go
home.’
The emphasis he put on the word home told her that she should return to Faris, to the forests.

‘Kirin, I … ‘She could hear her voice was laced with shock and regret.

‘Go, my darling. I have business here to finish with General Stracker.’ She glanced at the two men. They looked suspended in their puzzlement. ‘Please hurry,’ Kirin urged.

She threw her arms around him, kissing his neck. ‘What will happen to you?’ she whispered.

‘Lily, just go,’ he begged. ‘It won’t last. Get away as fast as you can.’

She unlocked her grip from around his neck, torn. She couldn’t imagine what she was leaving Kirin to face but it would be reckless for her to ignore what he was giving her — or the price he was paying to gift her freedom.

‘Thank you,’ she said.

Gently he kissed her, their lips touching fleetingly, and she realised with regret that she hadn’t even had the opportunity to sort out her feelings for him.

‘Touching,’ Stracker remarked. ‘Mrs Felt, please return to your husband’s chambers.’

Kirin’s look told her to disobey that command. She recalled what he’d said about the chapel and the side entrance. She had money, even her cloak was still about her shoulders. She curtseyed to both men. ‘Thank you, general. I’ll see you later, Kirin,’ she said, squeezing his arm, too frightened to weep but feeling the sting of tears at her eyes. ‘Will we … ?’

He shook his head slightly, his eyelid drooping further. She had to swallow her panic and revulsion. She couldn’t imagine the pain he was experiencing. ‘Goodbye, Lily.’

She looked at Vulpan, who was still deep in puzzled concentration, and then she hurried to the door. Lily threw a final glance Kirin’s way but he had already turned back to Stracker. Feeling sick to her heart, she closed the door behind her.

Leak was waiting for her. ‘Mrs Felt?’

‘Leak!’ Stracker bellowed from inside.

‘Excuse me,’ Leak said, his eyes widening.

‘Yes, of course,’ Lily said, ‘I’ll just return to our chamber.’ The moment the boy’s back turned on her, she fled in the opposite direction.

She ran heedless of who was watching or giving her strange looks. She wouldn’t waste this opportunity or the eyesight Kirin had surely just squandered on saving her life once again. Sickened and angered by their circumstances, the emotions drove her harder. Her mind in turmoil, she had to stop several people to ask the way to the chapel.

Finally, with her mind still very much with the sad yet lovely face of Kirin and his tender voice, she reached her destination. As she rounded the final corner, she collided with a priest.

‘My dear, you look so worried. Are you in the right place?’

‘I … yes, the chapel. Kirin told me to use the side gate.’ Then she felt alarmed. ‘Oh, Father, please don’t tell anyone I was here.’

‘Lo, help me, why would I? Whatever is wrong? You mentioned Kirin. I know him well. Is he returned?’

‘Yes, yes, he’s back, he’s in trouble. It’s General Stracker … ‘ And finally she began to weep.

‘Let me help you. Come. You should not be seen in this state if you are trying to protect your anonymity. Here, come back here. It is safe, my dear, I promise. Please.’

Meekly, all protest dissipating, Lily allowed herself to be led into a small chamber behind the chapel. She stood awkwardly in its centre, regarding the priest as he closed the door behind them.

‘I am Father Briar.’

She nodded, gulping back her tears. ‘Kirin has mentioned you.’

‘You said he’s in trouble?’

‘He’s with Stracker.’ Briar’s interested expression faltered. ‘And that ghoul, Vulpan.’

Now the priest’s expression darkened. ‘A ghoul, indeed. I’ve heard of his vile practice.’

‘He has tasted my blood and Kirin’s.’

Briar’s mouth twisted in revulsion. ‘Why is Kirin in trouble with General Stracker?’

‘They think he has something to do with the death of that man called Freath.’ Briar looked shocked. ‘They are questioning him now. They … they let me go but only because Kirin …’ She shook her head. ‘Kirin made me promise I would flee the palace. He is worried for our safety.’

‘As well he might be around General Stracker. The man has no conscience!’ the priest spat.

She nodded. ‘I have to get out of here. I promised him.’

‘All right, I understand. I will help you as I have helped Kirin and Freath in the past.’

‘Are you a … a royalist, Father Briar?’

‘I am a man of faith, that’s all. I was priest to the Valisars during Brennus’s reign and my loyalties are to anyone who believes in people. Stracker is not of that sort. He has a loyalty only to himself. And he hates anyone who is not Steppes-born.’ He gave another twist of his mouth. ‘He does not receive my blessing.’

‘How can you help me?’

‘The same way I have spirited others before you from this place. I will hide you and get you out of the palace gates.’

She looked at him with gratitude and disbelief. ‘Really? You’ll get me out?’

He nodded and patted her hand kindly. ‘Right away. You look as though this is urgent.’

‘It is.’

He smiled. ‘We’re in luck, then. I have some food deliveries to make to some of the outlying villages. The palace cooks up and waste a lot of food that I can’t bear to see used as currency by unscrupulous soldiers or servants. I like to load up my cart and take it out to the needy every few days if I can.’ He gave her a reassuring nod. ‘Come, we’ll be on our way immediately. Er, forgive me, but I don’t even know your name.’

She found a grateful, fleeting smile. ‘I’m Lily, Father Briar. Kirin Felt’s wife.’

He stopped leading her and stared at her, shocked.

‘I’m not sure I understand why we let the woman go, General Stracker,’ Vulpan whinged.

‘Because I chose to,’ Stracker growled, although honestly he wasn’t that sure either. ‘Why are you swaying, Felt?’

‘Forgive me, general. I have not been well. In fact, I think I am going to be … ‘Kirin staggered and then collapsed, unconscious.

‘Leak!’ Stracker shouted. The boy took a moment or two to respond but finally ran into the chamber, his gaze drawn helplessly to the man out cold on the ground.

‘Fetch the physic!’ Stracker demanded.

‘General, I believe Physic Chard is not in the palace at present.’

‘Then fetch … oh don’t bother. I will handle it. I want this man revived immediately. I have questions for him.’ He shook his head, the blurriness of his confusion gradually giving way to clearer thought. ‘Did you see the woman?’

‘Yes, general.’

‘Where is she?’

‘Returned to Master Felt’s chambers, she said.’

Stracker shook his head again, clearing his throat and feeling suddenly enraged. ‘Aludane strike me! Put a guard on her, boy! She is not to leave the palace.’

‘What happened?’ Vulpan asked, seemingly returning to his senses as Stracker just had.

‘I let the bitch go, it seems.’

‘I told you not to,’ Vulpan snapped, forgetting himself.

Stracker lashed out, backhanding Vulpan across the cheek, then grabbing the blood-taster’s injured hand and squeezing it. Vulpan looked ready to pass out from the pain.

‘Vulpan, you are here at my pleasure. Your very existence is permitted only by my pleasure. Never … ever believe that Denovian dirt can ever speak to a Steppes-born as an equal.’

‘I’m sorry, general,’ Vulpan whimpered. But Stracker didn’t want to hear it. ‘Leak!’ he shouted. ‘I want you to put a permanent guard on Kirin Felt.’ Before the boy could answer, he strode away angrily.

Stracker was weary of being let down by others. Rather than issue any more orders he strode down to the Valisar chapel, determined to give his instructions personally. He took a wrong turn twice, on both occasions having to ask servants, terrified at coming face to face with Stracker — famed for his temper — for directions. The Valisar chapel was not a place he visited and on the rare time over the last decade that he had, he had simply followed messengers.

Finally he found himself in the familiar courtyard he had passed through on his way to view Freath’s corpse. That had been a happy day, intensified by witnessing his brother experience what appeared to be a genuine sense of loss. It had amused, even pleased Stracker to see Loethar looking so suddenly bereft. It had always irked Stracker that his brother had permitted the Denovian aide into the inner sanctum of their lives. The man had already proven himself to be a traitor once and Stracker had never once trusted the opinionated, sombre servant. In quiet moments he had admitted to himself that he had found Freath unnerving; the man’s intelligence, his manner of speaking down to Stracker, even though the wording appeared polite, was asinfuriating as his increasing closeness to Loethar. Loethar protected Freath, relied on Freath; Stracker had even caught him laughing with Freath. Loethar laughing! His brother found so little in life amusing that even the sound of his mirth was a shock.

They’d laughed as boys. They’d been real brothers then. It had never mattered to Stracker that they had different fathers. He wanted to be Loethar’s best friend. In fact, although he was the eldest he had always been quietly in awe of Loethar’s composure. Nothing rattled Loethar; his brother was so controlled, so clever and even though he was wiry rather than strapping, he came to be a feared warrior. Loethar had often counselled Stracker during their younger years that the only reason he won so many fights was that he used his intelligence rather than his fists.

‘I beat my opponent before we strike a blow,’ he had told Stracker. ‘You have to think everything through, Stracker. That’s what strategy is. Winning isn’t always about leaving your rival bloodied and unconscious. Sometimes losing is winning.’ Stracker hadn’t understood that final remark. Not until the day had come to fight for the leadership of the tribes. Then Loethar’s losing streak had all made sense. The best of the tribes had gone into their fight with Loethar with a smirk, expecting to win easily.

They hadn’t. Loethar had beaten all rivals for the crown of the tribes in astonishingly brutal style. He had even winked at Stracker during the combat. And then he had shocked everyone further by proclaiming that as their new ruler he was going to change their future. No longer would they be the foraging/herding tribes of the Steppes. Instead they would conquer their arrogant neighbours of the Denovian Set and enjoy the riches of the fertile soils of the west.

Stracker had to admit that his brother had kept his promise. But where had his sense of fight gone? Loethar was a king in all senses and yet he seemed satisfied, bored even, not even vaguely interested in broadening his rule or any further battles. Hisbrother had become soft, complacent. He even seemed to like the Denovians! Stracker shook his head with disgust. He could remember a time, a decade ago, when his brother had eaten a king. Nothing had ever amused the big warrior as much as that day when Loethar had ordered King Brennus of Penraven to be roasted. Nothing ever would again.

As Stracker looked around, anticipating Father Briar to come scuttling to his aid at any moment, he realised that his and Loethar’s relationship — their once fun friendship as youngsters — had been breaking down for ten anni … perhaps before that even.

Where was Briar, damn him to the eternal fires!

Stracker saw a lad scurrying across the courtyard. ‘You, boy!’

The boy hadn’t even seen him, so intent was he on getting to his destination. He stopped in his tracks, a look of pure startlement on his face. ‘My lord, Stracker,’ he stammered, terrified.

‘You should address me as general,’ Stracker remarked, enjoying watching the youngster squirm.

‘I … I’m sorry, general.’

‘Where is everyone?’

‘Everyone?’ the boy repeated, a quizzical expression claiming him. Stracker bristled and the boy all but squeaked in terror. ‘Who can I fetch for you, general?’

‘Where do you work?’

‘In the stables, general.’

‘So why are you going towards the main buildings?’

‘I was hoping to grab some fresh bread, general. I’m starving.’

‘Never could fill my own belly full enough when I was your age, boy, but I’ll tell you something, it’s good to be a bit hungry. It keeps you sharp, keeps you alert.’