Back From Chaos (21 page)

The three men in the other tubs barely glanced in his direction. They had more interest in the maids bringing hot water, engaging them in bawdy talk, and making lewd suggestions. As in most such establishments, the maids were experienced with this kind of behaviour and skilled at deflecting all but the most persistent. Those tended to end up with cold water, until they got the message.

After making a show of interest in the maid who brought his water, Klast settled down to listen. When he deemed the wait long enough, he steered the conversation into his desired direction. “Canna count on anythin’ stayin’ the same. Come back from tradin’ in the north, and there be all kinds o’ soldiers stoppin’ me, snoopin’ into all my goods, askin’ stupid questions. Guess the new lord be scared of his own shadow. Hear he brought back a wife from Catania. Seems our own isna good enough fer ’im.” He took another long pull of nothing from the jug and waited for a response.

He heard a snort from the tub behind him, where he remembered the one with the full red beard soaked.

“
Word is, she seduced ’im with a spell.”

Klast responded, “Way I hear, he keeps ’er locked up tight … s’posed to be a beauty.”

The room remained silent for a long moment. Then the second man, the big one with the dark curly hair, spoke up cautiously. “Dinna know about that. Heard somebody wants ’er gone, though. Heard they got the wrong one on the mountain.”

“
Mayhap they couldna tell the lady from the maid,” red beard chortled.

Klast huffed his acknowledgement of the jibe, but remained silent. This was the talk he had been hoping for. That the man was so quick to bring it up showed that Sinnath had been busy, indeed. The doubts he had planted had already circulated. Klast waited to see what the other might say. A natural break came when the maids returned with more hot water.

Klast asked, “They really got the wrong one?” He feigned another pull from the jug and wiped his arm across his mouth, “Mayhap they sent fools to do a man’s job,” and gave another derisive snort.

Red beard piped up. “You lookin’ for the job? Think yer better’n them? Me, I want to keep my head on my neck. ’Sides, who cares if she isna one of our own. Long as she keeps him busy so’s he dinna look too close at us poor folk. Got enough taxes ’n laws now.”

“
Nah,” Klast demurred. “I dinna need trouble. ’Sides, like I said, he keeps her locked up. Couldna get close enough anyhow.” He paused as if thinking, then mused, “Still, might be gold in it fer the right man.” He paused again. “Too risky fer me, though. Dinna think it would pay enough.”

The dark man remained silent, and Klast knew he had heard all from him he was willing to say in public. If he was involved, Klast knew the fellow would be in touch with him. He took another long pull from the jug and sank further into his tub. He could feel the man’s eyes on him, assessing him, making sure he would remember him. So far, so good, Klast thought.

The dark man waited a only short time longer, then shouted for the maid to bring him a cloth to dry off with. When he was dry and dressed, he nodded briefly at Klast before leaving. Klast understood it as a signal and waited only a moment before ending his own bath. He dressed quickly and took a corner table in the common room. He ordered stew and dark bread, having brought his jug with him. However, he was soon disappointed. He finished his stew and ordered more bread. When the man did not appear, it told Klast that he would need to tread carefully. This one would not give himself away easily.

~ 44 ~

BAD NEWS

Gaelen hailed the nearest soldier he met and had him call together the council members for an emergency meeting. He needed to flush Sinnath out before he did more damage. As long as Sinnath remained unsuspected he would be free to further his schemes. Marja would remain in danger … and his son. A smile softened his face for a moment at that thought … a son, an heir. Then he pulled his attention back to the business at hand.

Liethis had not been able to guarantee his future. He needed to take action, yet she had warned that he must tread cautiously. Somehow he must appear to be unaware of Sinnath’s duplicity while leading him to reveal himself. Gaelen’s frown deepened as he realized he had no idea how he might accomplish this. He wondered briefly if Klast might be wrong, then shook his head. No, Klast had always been frank whenever he had any doubts, and he had been very certain this time.

On his way to the conference chamber he decided how he might make Sinnath squirm. He would let the council know he had met with Liethis. But he would need to take great care just how he presented what she had revealed, and how much. As the others filed in and took their places, he still had not decided exactly what he would say.

When they had all taken their seats, Gaelen rose to get their attention. “Friends, I have just come from meeting with Liethis. I sent for her as soon as we returned to Bargia.” He paused and looked at each man at the table as if looking for a sign. No one spoke. All eyes remained on him, silent.

“
What she tells me may come to Bargia is never certain. Liethis is always the first to warn us that Earth’s sendings can change. Yet, there is that which has already passed that makes me heartsore … and against which I must act. I need your assistance in this. Liethis senses a traitor in our very midst … possibly in this very room.” He looked around pointedly again. “She tells me this same man was behind the abduction of my lady’s maid. You all know that my father trusted each of you completely. It grieves me to think that I must now beware, lest one of you have turned against Bargia. I can only hope that the traitor is outside this inner council. Yet, Liethis tells me he is very close. She could not identify him, but did say that the future of Bargia hangs on our actions.” Gaelen paused to search the face of each man again.

“
If I am to succeed in holding both this demesne and Catania, I need a council and a court I can trust. I rely on all of you to assist in unmasking this man, so that the threat may be swiftly dealt with. With preparations underway for Summer Festival, activity in the city has increased. This makes it harder to note anything out of the ordinary. But the festivities must go forward as usual. Bargia needs a celebration after the war. We still grieve our losses too keenly. Victory alone is not enough. The only noticeable action I will take is the guard on my lady and her maid. The people will understand this in light of the tales of the attack on us.” He rubbed his hand across his eyes and sat down heavily.

Shock held the room in silence for a moment. Then they tumbled over each other declaring their loyalty and erupting in questions. Gaelen let them flow over each other without interruption. Nothing could be gained from his direction. This must play itself out. After what he deemed long enough, Gaelen deliberately left, hoping his absence would allow the men to speak more freely.

He headed immediately for the garden where presumed he would find Marja.

~ 45 ~

A SECRET

Though she understood the reasons for it, .Marja chafed at the restrictions of her constant guard and limited mobility. Preparations for Summer Festival proceeded apace, and she wanted desperately to participate. This was her new home, and she its new lady. That meant that she ought to be in charge of planning the decorations in the castle, deciding the menus for the banquet and seeing to the distribution of small tokens to the people. Yet, she could only collect greenery from her garden, plait ribbons into them and hang them about their chambers and open areas within the castle. And all while two guards and other hidden presences dogged her steps and watched her every move. Well, at least she could get to know the kitchen staff and discuss the menus with them. How she longed to take her mare, Keisha, and ride into the countryside, collecting wildflowers and meeting the locals. “Drat, drat and drat again,” she muttered under her breath.

Marja felt impatient with having Brensa hover so close. She knew that Brensa, for one, was pleased that their movements were restricted, and that they remained under heavy guard. She had confided that she felt a measure of safety in this small garden. She could relax here just a little. Besides, she told Marja, she enjoyed making flower garlands, a peaceful, creative activity that did not demand too much from her physically while she regained her strength.

Brensa caught Marja’s eyes and smiled shyly. “When will you tell him, do you think?” Then she blushed. “Perhaps it is not my place to ask, my lady. Forgive me if I am too forward.”

The reminder of her pregnancy made Marja forget her frustrations for a moment, and she smiled kindly at Brensa. “Of course you are forgiven, Brensa. Who else can I speak of this with? You are my only friend here.” Then she sobered. “Do you think it is too early? I see the signs, now that you told me what Klast said. I had thought they were caused by the ordeals we experienced. I am overjoyed to stand corrected.” She had to grin at her own delight then.

“
Oh, my lady, do tell him. Surely he is in need of joyful news, too. These times are difficult for Lord Gaelen as well.”

Brensa looked so earnest that Marja laughed. “You are right, Brensa. Lord Gaelen needs good news. I shall tell him when next we find time alone together. He is so pressed, I see little of him.”

Brensa’s expression brightened, relieved. She lifted the garland in her hands. “The lord’s colours blend well with these daisies, do you not agree? The blue of Bargia is so pretty. Much easier to work with than the orange of Catania.” Her hand flew to her mouth in dismay at the reminder of what Marja had lost.

“
It is all right, Brensa. I miss our old home and our friends.” Marja smiled. “But you are right. The blue definitely suits these flowers better than the orange.” Her smile turned mischievous. “And it certainly suits Lord Gaelen when he dons his formal dress, do you not agree?”

Brensa gave small, relieved smile. “Oh yes, my lady. He is most handsome in it.”

~ 46 ~

SECRET NO LONGER

Gaelen found Marja in the garden with Brensa, just as he had expected. He strode quickly over to her, and she rewarded him with a warm embrace. He noted that her colour had improved, probably due to relief in having Brensa back. Gaelen turned to Brensa and looked her over. “It is very good to have you among us once more, Brensa, and to see you recovering. I cannot tell you how it grieved me to have you go through such an ordeal. I trust Klast looked after you well?”

At Gaelen’s acknowledgement of her presence Brensa seemed to shrink in on herself. Her fingers knotted nervously, and the garland she held crumpled in her tight grip. At the mention of Klast, her head came up and she looked Gaelen in the eye. “Yes, my lord. He saved me, nursed me when I would have died.” As Brensa realized her boldness, her eyes quickly dropped back to her twisting hands.

Gaelen answered kindly, “I am so pleased to have you back safely. Klast is the only one who could have restored you to us, and for that we are most grateful. I owe him a good deal, and not only for your rescue.”

Brensa merely nodded, not lifting her head.

Marja joined in. “Brensa,” she said softly, “I would like a few moments with Lord Gaelen. Will you be all right alone in our chambers for a while?”

Brensa looked up timidly and nodded. Indicating the garland she asked, “Shall I take these with me?”

“
That will be fine, thank you. We shall not be long. If you become frightened alone, you may come back.”

“
I will be all right, my lady.” The words were brave but the tone not so convincing. Brensa gathered up the flowers and left Gaelen and Marja alone.

Marja looked suddenly shy, as though at a loss for words. This was a side of her that Gaelen had never seen. She had always appeared strong and confident, not like this blushing young maiden. Gaelen looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to speak.

Seeming to suddenly make up her mind, she reached for his hand and placed it on her belly, looking up to meet his eyes.

“
Gaelen, I have wonderful news.” She smiled expectantly at him and waited for it to sink in.

Gaelen looked at the hand on Marja’s belly, then back at her face, a broad smile widening across his own. He reached his arms around her waist and drew her close. “This is indeed wonderful news.” He pulled his face back to look at her again, grinning. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

It was Marja’s turn to grin. “Yes,” she teased.

Gaelen laughed and hugged her tight. “Are you well, my love? Is all as it should be?”

Marja gave a short, derisive snort and laughed. “All is unfortunately as it usually is. I want to sleep all the time, I am grumpy, I want to cry for no reason and I lose my breakfast to the privy every morning.” Then she sobered and looked at him again. “But it is good to know now why I feel as I do.” Her smile returned. “And that it will soon be better.”

She pulled away and looked at Gaelen seriously. “Gaelen, does Klast have the gift of seeing? He told Brensa I was with child when he rescued her. She claims that was how he convinced her I would still want her with me.”

Gaelen raised his eyebrows in surprise. “If he does, I know nothing of it … though he is canny. I sometimes wonder at his ability to judge people’s intentions and to find ways out of dangerous situations.” He continued thoughtfully. “They say there are men who have a small gift which comes upon them at unexpected times. Perhaps Klast is one of these. I wonder if he is aware of it himself? I wonder if I should speak to him about it … no, it may be best left as it is.”