Arrows Of Change (Book 1) (28 page)

“No,” Riana assured him, amused at his uncertainty. “She
said it surprised her, when she realized what ye be doing. She had no idea how
to take it at first. But then she realized that she could depend on ye the way
I do, and even more, as ye be her partner as well. After that, she said it was
like someone had handed her starfire when she had no’ expected it.”

He blew out a breath. “Good. Just, good.”

Riana shifted in her chair, leaning more toward the side.
“That man we be meeting, ye said he would wear a yellow scarf about his neck?”

“Aye, that was what Edvard said. Do ye see him?”

“I think so.” She sat up straighter while looking over her
da’s shoulder. “Ah, caught his eye. He be coming straight toward us.”

They bided until a stranger came around and gestured to the
empty chair at their table. From Edvard’s description, this must be the man. He
had salty black hair, brown eyes, a stodgy figure, and a yellow scarf tied
above a white collared shirt. Broden nodded, encouraging the man to take a
seat.

“Riana and Broden Ravenscroft?” he asked in a low voice.
“King’s archers?”

“More like wizards’ archers,” Riana corrected in amusement.
“But aye, that be us.”

The man relaxed a hair, although his eyes kept shifting
about, marking the location of every person within earshot. “Good. I’m Troi and
I greet you.”

“May harmony find ye, Troi,” Riana responded politely.
Lowering her voice to a confidential level she admitted frankly, “Edvard sent
us here, but he did no’ give us much in the way of instruction. What do we need
to do?”

“Spread rumors and at the same time, keep your ears open.”
Troi focused on them just long enough to say this, his eyes momentarily
stopping their ceaseless pan of the room. “Specifically, we’re spreading the
rumor that anyone that wants to set fires to the city or starts riots must be
an agent of Iysh. It’s about half true, actually, but if we attach that stigma
to the troublemakers, then the people around them are more likely to turn them
in.”

Made sense. Every person in this city hated Iysh with a
passion. They hated the country enough to desert it and abandon the lives they
had to come to a new country. If they knew that the man beside them was serving
their enemy, they’d be quick to take him down. Riana nodded, admiring the ploy.
“That be easy enough. And what do we listen for?”

“Anything. Everything.” Troi’s expression and tone was
intense as he responded. “No matter how trivial it might seem. I gather all of
the pieces from my agents and put them together. You might not know enough to
see how it fits into the overall picture, which is why I need you to tell me everything
you hear. Clear enough?”

“Aye, man, we hear ye.” Broden scratched at his jaw with a
finger. “Anything else?”

“If you can, straighten people out if there’s any confusion.
I hear the most interesting interpretations on the law sometimes.” Troi shook
his head in exasperation. “I’m not sure if it’s Iysh agents messing with us or
if it’s just general stupidity. It could be a mix of both.”

Broden grunted sourly. “I bet on the latter. Aye, man, we
will do that when we can. Where do we start?”

“Here is fine.” Troi inclined his head toward the room in
general. “Stay for about two hours or so. I’ll meet you at the castle in the
morning, before you both head out, and get a report from you then. I promised
Edvard I wouldn’t keep you long in the evenings. I’m just short on manpower
right now, and this tavern is a hotbed for gossip. You staying just those two
hours will help a great deal.”

Ah, now she understood why Edvard wanted them doing this. “I
think I ken, Troi. Then, Da, shall we start?”

Broden eyed the room with its crowded occupants, people
squashed together, and blew out a resigned breath. “Aye, daughter, let us get
this over with.”

 “Edvard! Ashlynn!” Bria called out excitedly, waving an arm
high above her head.

Broden watched indulgently as the girls more or less crashed
together, and hugged and cried and talked all at once. The way they acted, it
was as if they had not seen Ashlynn recently at all, even though it had only
been about three weeks. Edvard they treated the same way, and he tried to hug
all three of them at once, although his arms were not long enough to manage it.

When word had reached them that the ship had arrived, he and
Ashlynn had raced down Port Road to get here, and Broden admitted only to himself
that he was a bit winded from the mad sprint. Ashlynn had been half-convinced
that someone on the first ship they’d taken to reach Lakepoint had been an
informant for the Iyshian king, or at least a tattletale. If he had not known
that, then they would have been ambushed and attacked on the way back to
Estole. Just like they had been on the way down to Trenena. But Zelman must
have known the sisters were no longer with them, because they did not have any
resistance on the trip back. Broden admitted the lass had a point, but they had
no proof. He was just glad to see the girls had gotten here safe and sound.

All three of them looked better than they had three weeks
ago. The sea air had done them good. There was a flush to their cheeks now, and
they didn’t move as if their limbs dragged at them. That was just as well, for
if Edvard had seen what they were like at the abbey, then he really would
have
gone to war with Zelman over it.

Everyone at the port indulgently let the family reunion play
out in their midst, trying to dodge the five people as much as they could, but
this was a busy dock area. There was cargo to be unloaded, crewmen wanting
liberty, and other ships needing to come in. Eventually, after being almost hit
for the umpteenth time, Edvard seemed to realize they needed to change
locations.

“Let’s go home,” he suggested to everyone. “I’m actually
expecting Tierone for dinner—he sent a message this morning saying he’d be
coming and to expect him in the evening. So if we hurry, it’ll give you time to
freshen up before he arrives.”

“Oh!” Cat’s face lit up in a smile. “I haven’t seen Tierone
in forever. Is he doing well?”

Edvard linked arms with a sister on either side, leaving
Bria to link arms with Cat, and they started walking back to the castle-manor.
He chatted with the girls on either side of him happily, talking about
everything that suited their fancy.

Ash and Riana had been told about the sisters’ arrival, of
course, but being as they were out on the border, they could not come quickly.
It was afternoon already, so Ash told his twin they would work another hour
more and then quit early to head back to the castle.

In the past two weeks, things had improved. No one else had
dared to set fire to any buildings, not with Ashlynn’s threat hanging over
their heads. They’d had one riot a few days ago, but even that was squashed
quickly, thanks to the rumors that Edvard had spread about the city. Now, even
passersby were likely to jump on anyone trying to incite a riot, thinking they
were stopping an evil spy of Iysh. Like as not, only half the time that was the
case, but Broden was not about to abuse them of the notion.

Troi had said the morning after their meeting that he had at
least some of the Iysh agents pinned now, and was already moving to get rid of
them. Broden hoped that meant he and Riana would be let off from this spy-duty
Edvard had forced on them soon. But time would tell on that.

By the time they made it back to the castle, Ash and Riana
were already there, standing in the doorway, clearly waiting on them. Broden
snorted in amusement. ‘Work another hour’ was it? Yes, he could tell that had happened.

The girls lit up when they saw Ash and raced forward, surrounding
him as they had Edvard earlier. The wizard had a full smile on his face as he
exchanged hugs and greetings. Riana seemed overwhelmed by all of this and
stepped back, giving him space. She did not get more than two feet before Ash
reached back, grabbing her arm and drawing her forward. Broden watched this
with a strange feeling in his chest. Ash hadn’t been looking in his daughter’s
direction at all. So how had he known that Riana was backing away from him?

“That bond of theirs is growing strong at an amazing rate,”
Ashlynn observed to no one in particular.

Broden’s head snapped around. “What?”

“Their bond,” she repeated patiently. “Riana said she wanted
it deeper than the first level, and it looks like she’s getting her wish.
Haven’t you seen how they act around each other? I swear they don’t even need
words half the time, they just react to what the other person is feeling.” Her
smile became indulgent as she expounded. “It’s sweet to see, actually. I think
Riana desperately wanted a true connection to someone else, and I certainly
don’t see Ash complaining. Broden…that’s a very odd expression on your face.
Hadn’t you noticed what was going on?”

He let out a growl and grumped, “No, lass, I had no’.”

“In other words,” she drawled knowingly, “you had, but were
doing your best to ignore it.”

Broden gave her a flat, unamused glare.

Not fazed, Ashlynn chuckled in wicked amusement. “There,
there. It’s not as bad as all that.”

So
she
said. It was not her little girl cozying up
and making bonds with a man. 

Patting him on the arm, she encouraged, “Let’s go have a
quick wash, shall we? I expect Tierone any minute and I stink of sweat after
running around the city all day.”

Might as well.

When Tierone, Duke of Dahl, arrived, Riana was surprised by
how he looked. She didn’t know why she had half-expected another version of
Edvard to appear, but she had. Tierone did not look a thing like his brother
except the dark hair. He had dark eyes, not blue, prominent bone structure, and
a massive body that any logger would envy. He greeted his siblings with open
delight.

Riana had not known how to take this outpouring of
acceptance and glee earlier from Ash’s not-quite-blood-sisters. They were
radically different from Ashlynn, being softer and more womanly, so it felt odd
being in their company. But she didn’t dislike them, and the more time she
spent with them, the more comfortable she became.

When they sat down for dinner, Gwen took great delight in
sitting between her two big brothers, and monopolized both Edvard and Tierone.
Or tried to. Edvard Knolton’s table at dinner was never a quiet one, but
tonight it was especially boisterous, and Riana’s face hurt from laughing and
smiling so much.

Eventually, the girls went off to bed, leaving kings,
wizards, and archers left at the table.

Edvard turned to Tierone and offered, “We can talk about
everything tomorrow if you wish. It doesn’t have to be tonight. I know you had
a long ride getting here.”

“No, I’m in no mood to rest. I want to hear what you’ve come
up with,” Tierone denied, voice deep and pleasant on the ear. His was the kind
of voice that a woman could listen to all day without tiring of it.

“Then let’s move to my study,” Edvard suggested. He seemed
pleased that Tierone had chosen to talk now instead of later. Catching their
eyes, he made it clear that he included all of them in that invitation.

Riana stood readily and followed after him, not surprised he
wanted them all there. After all, they had all had a hand in making the laws
and government. If there were to be any discussion on merging the two kingdoms
into one, then it would be best they were there.

The study had obviously been set up for this meeting, as the
top of Edvard’s table could be seen (for once). The map of Estole that he had
marked was also spread atop his desk.

Ashlynn was all of two feet inside when she announced, “It’s
stuffy in here. I think I’ll sit outside on the balcony while you two talk
things over. Call me if you need me.”

Without a by your leave, she did just that, opening both
balcony doors and sailing outside. Broden, with a shake of the head, followed
her. Riana wasn’t sure why—unless it was sheer habit. After all, he followed
her all day.

Riana and Ash took a seat at the far end of the table, while
the brothers sat in the middle. Clearing his throat, Edvard began, outlining
the plan he had been working on for the past several days. He was only half way
through when Tierone started shaking his head in disagreement.

“Edvard,” Tierone said in exasperation, “why did you think
that would work?”

“You’re the one that wanted to join forces with me and make
this a single country!” Edvard retorted, flinging both arms into the air in
exasperation.

“I said I wanted to ‘join in the rebellion’ not that I
wanted to make Dahl a part of Estole!” Tierone looked toward the heavens in a
clear prayer for patience. “Brothers we may be, but we don’t do anything alike.
We don’t even think alike! We manage our people in completely different ways.
You really expect us to be able to co-rule a country and agree on what needs to
be done?”

Edvard had his mouth open, ready for a hot retort, only he
couldn’t quite seem to gather it together. Finally he slumped in on himself,
letting out a year’s worth of sighs. “Fine. I take your point. So, what did you
want, then?”

“To simply join hands.” Tierone extended one in
illustration. “As we have always done. When you declared independence of Zelman
and Iysh, I simply stood by and watched, as I wasn’t sure if your actions were
wise. Now I see that they may not be entirely prudent, but they are necessary.
We have put up with evil for far too long in silence.”

“Well, I agree. It’s why I did what I did.” Edvard did not
respond as quickly as usual, as if he were choosing what words to say. “So,
what? You simply want us to agree to help each other when the other needs it?”

“As we have done in the past,” Tierone repeated patiently.
“I feel that we should have it in writing, so that the next generation of kings
will honor our agreement. But I hope that there never comes a time when one has
to wave a signed document in the other king’s face.”

Riana silently wished them luck on that one. She had never
seen a case where a long-standing agreement between two family members was
honored from one generation to the next. It usually broke down at the third
generation, if not the second.

Edvard did not seem entirely happy with this, but he did
seem relieved, as if he had worried about the co-ruling. “Well, I suppose that
is prudent. Very well, we can sit down with Ash and draw something up.”

Tierone regarded him blankly. “Ash?”

“Ash has drawn up all our laws so far,” Edvard explained
easily. “He’s proven to be quite good at it.”

Ash, beside her, just sighed in resignation. Riana had to
bite her bottom lip to keep from smiling. Leaning into him, she whispered, “The
reward for work well done be more work.”

“I’ll remember that next time,” he grumped, although there
was a twinkle in his eye.

Tierone sat back in his chair, crossing his legs
comfortably. “While Ash is writing that up, explain to me your new government
structure and laws. I might very well copy or adapt what you’ve created instead
of trying to come up with something on my own.”

“Our laws are not complete,” Edvard warned. “We simply
created the basics of what we needed on the fly, and are filling in the holes
as the situation demands it.”

Flipping a hand palm up, Tierone silently acknowledged this.
“That is usually how lawmaking works, I think. Regardless, tell me what you
already have in place. I have no intention of repeating your mistake and
declaring the Bindings overruled until I have something to replace them with.”

“Hey!” Edvard protested indignantly. “How was I supposed to
know I would get swarmed with people the very next day?”

“You didn’t,” Tierone allowed, grin widening on his face.
“But it was still folly to move until you had a plan in place. You know it was,
Edvard.”

“For your information I did have a plan!” Edvard riposted.

Riana rolled her eyes as the mature conversation degenerated
into sibling bickering. Clearly, people didn’t ever truly grow up. At least,
these two hadn’t. She sat back and let it go on for a minute or two, thinking
that they would pull themselves out of it, but it only got worse, with their
volume growing. Frowning, her eyes bounced between one man and the other. They
honestly thought about governing a land together? They couldn’t even be in the
room more than ten minutes afore arguing with each other!

At this rate, nothing would get done. She nudged Ash in the
side with her elbow and urged, “Go break that up afore it falls to fisticuffs.”

Ash shook his head. “Only one person can break them up.
Well, no, two actually. Gwen and Ashlynn. Gwen’s way is nicer, but since she
isn’t here…” he trailed off before hopping up and heading toward the open
balcony door. “Sis?”