Pendant of Fortune (9 page)

Volle grinned. “They can be fun. So I don’t need to do anything in particular?”

“
I don’t think so. Just be careful. Things may be a little less safe than I’d thought. Still, you have Lord Ikling looking out for you.”

“
He’ll do what he can. I don’t know how much that is if I’m up here, though.”

“
Every little bit helps. I’m doing what I can, too, though I can’t be too direct to the King.”

“
I know. You’re amazing, Tish.”

The black wolf grinned. “You’ve been talking to Tika.”

Volle laughed. “Not recently, but I’m looking forward to seeing her again.”

“
She’s looking forward to seeing you as well, of course.” He smiled. “Be prepared for a long line of questions about your love life. I’ve told her not to talk about anything concerning the hearing, and she complained that all that left her was your social life.”

Volle flicked his ears. “Wonderful. Well, I’ll be prepared. Is there anything else I should know? In general?”

“
I don’t think there’s anything else I wanted to tell you. Except: welcome back. It’s been very dull at the palace without you.” He grinned as the fox stretched out in his chair. “Now, maybe you can tell me what happened while you were imprisoned and how you escaped? I know that Dereath tried to get you to talk by sending that wolf to fall in love with you. Apparently it worked too well.”

“
Much too well.” Volle chuckled softly and then launched into the story of his capture and imprisonment. In the palace, you could always be sure of someone listening behind a door, but here, with fewer people and fewer servants, they could speak more freely. Still, he kept his voice down. Tish interrupted him occasionally, to ask for clarification or more detail, but mostly stayed silent as he told his story.

When Volle had finished, he nodded, stroking his whiskers thoughtfully. “I always thought that the mobilization plans were very odd. They’d been drawn up very quickly, and not only that, but the—” here he dropped his voice to a whisper, “plans themselves displayed a speed uncharacteristic of the King. So many troop movements, so complicated. But of course, we didn’t know that until afterwards.”

“
I remember you mentioning something about that, just that it was odd they’d come about so quickly. We figured it was the influence of Lord Fardew. They definitely had the King’s blessing.”

Tish nodded. “And they are plausible, if slightly extreme. It looked like the beginning of an aggressive campaign.”

“
Or a trap, you said.”

“
Yes.” The wolf looked past Volle, his gaze losing focus. “We couldn’t take the chance then, and now it’s irrelevant.”

Volle smiled. “So that’s my story. Tell me about your son and his mate.”

Tish leaned back. “Oh, what’s to tell? He was brought up by my wife’s brother because he didn’t like the palace. We should have forced him to live there, but he didn’t want to leave our house. Never had any ambition. Never wanted to be Lord after me. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a choice in that. And since I would like to retire to that same house while I still have enough years left to enjoy my life, he has rather resentfully moved to the palace with his mate.”

“
But he didn’t come up here?”

“
He wasn’t invited.”

Tish could have arranged an invitation, Volle knew. He suspected one had been proffered and rejected. “I see.”

“
His mate is expecting.” Tish traced a pattern on the arm of the chair. “They didn’t want to bear the cub and then move to the palace, so it’ll be born in the palace.”

“
He wasn’t happy about that,” Volle said softly.

Tish shook his head. “No. Nor was she.”

“
I’m sorry.” Volle followed his train of thought away from the prickly subject. “How is…Ilyana? And Volyan?”

“
They’re fine and safe in Vinton, last I heard. Ilyana wasn’t happy, but Dereath hasn’t made any move and so she’s just waiting to see how the hearing comes out.” He paused. “Volyan is a fine cub. She always speaks of him as bright and playful.”

Volle nodded. “I should have gone to visit him more often. I thought I’d have time.”

“
You may yet, my boy. We’ll do our best to see that you get that chance.”

“
I could have gone this past year.”

“
It was best that you not leave Ferrenis.” Again Tish lowered his voice to a whisper. “You were safest where you were.”

“
I know.”

They sat in silence for a few moments after that. Volle noticed that the window closest to him had a lovely view of the valley. He watched the last vestiges of the sunset, noticing the subtle changes in color as his eyes adjusted to the darkening room.

“
I’d better get back,” he said finally. “Helfer’s planning a dinner.”

“
You should. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Tish stood at the same time Volle did, and they embraced again, nuzzling. “Have a safe trip back.”

“
Tell Tika I’ll see her soon.”

Tish smiled. “I will.”

Volle found his way back to the main gate without incident. He passed several lords and ladies, and to the few who recognized him and waved, he waved back with a smile. The ones who recognized him but did not greet him, he smiled to anyway. At the main door, Renaldo bowed to him, and he said a quick goodbye to the servant before climbing in the waiting buggy and huddling against the wind, which was even sharper now that the sun had set.

In the darkness, the trip back down the mountain seemed much less scenic and much more treacherous. Even his night-adjusted eyes couldn’t pierce some of the pools of darkness, and the monochromatic landscape defined by the soft moonlight seemed angular and forbidding. He supposed the driver could see the road, but there was no telling what might be lurking by the side, or around the next corner. He forced himself to settle back and relax.

You’ve walked around the farm any number of nights, he told himself, and answered immediately. Yes, but that was familiar, especially after a month. I knew each hillock, each trench, and there were no surprises.

And Streak was there.

He sighed, thinking of the comforting arm of the white wolf around his shoulder or waist, and was glad that he was heading toward him. As he thought this, he heard a clatter and saw another horse to his left, then the buggy it was pulling. The shape inside was shrouded in darkness, and though he tried hard to see who was hidden there, the buggy had whisked past before he could make out even a silhouette.

Who would be visiting the castle at this late hour? Or returning? His fur prickled with a twinge of anxiety, then again, he forced himself to relax. Everything isn’t a threat, he told himself.

Nevertheless, he was glad to see the silvery shape of Helfer’s mansion growing larger, and gladder still when the buggy stopped outside the main gate. He disembarked carefully, helped by Roferro, who opened the gate for him and escorted him inside.

Streak was sitting on the bed, paws folded into his lap. He looked up as Volle came in and smiled, but the smile seemed forced.

“
Hi,” Volle said, and crossed the room to him. “Thanks for waiting. I promise I’ll take you up—we’ll go up together tomorrow.”

Streak nodded, and hugged Volle. “It’s okay. I had a nice talk with Helfer before he left to prepare dinner. He’s a nice guy.”

“
He really is. I’m glad you think so too. You’ll enjoy meeting Tish and Tika.” He smiled and nuzzled the wolf, trying to cheer him up.

“
I can’t wait.” Streak smiled back and kissed his nose.

“
How much time do we have until dinner?”

“
He said to go into the dining room as soon as you got back. He told me how to get there. He did warn me that the ceilings are low.”

Volle grinned. “No dining room for us big people, eh?”

“
I don’t know about that, but he said the corridors on the way there were low.”

The dining hall had relatively high ceilings, as it happened, and Volle and Streak were able to walk in without ducking their heads. They both looked up, massaging their necks as they entered the large hall. The arched ceiling had the most elaborate frescoes Volle had yet seen in the mansion, all depicting religious scenes. Volle glanced at them, taking in the six Houses and the central mandala, then walked to the seats next to Helfer, where the valet was leading them.

The weasel greeted Volle with a smile. “Nice visit up at the castle?”

“
Very. We’re both going up tomorrow. Will you be there?”

“
Of course. I have to be there pretty much every day. Today is my only day free. Why don’t you ride up with me, then?”

“
That would be fine.” Volle turned to Streak, who nodded without saying anything. “So what did you guys talk about?”

Helfer chuckled. “You, for a bit. Then I told him something about Vellenland and he told me about his farm. And—ah, here’s someone I wanted you to meet.” He stood up as a small female weasel in elegant robes approached the table, led by another female in servant’s clothes. She smiled at Helfer as he helped ease her into the chair, and only then did Volle see that she was carrying an infant.

“
Volle, this is Laya. Laya, this is Lord Vinton, and his companion Streak.”

Volle stood and bowed. “Pleased to meet you.” He smiled at the tiny cub. “And who is this?”

“
This is Lyfar,” she said, looking tenderly at the cub’s sleeping form. Her voice was strong and sure, and he could see the happiness in her eyes when she looked back at him. “He’s four months old and healthy.”

“
That’s wonderful,” Streak said, straightening up from his bow. “He looks beautiful.”

“
He is,” she said.

Helfer was beaming as he sat back down. “So that’s my latest heir, and his mother,” he said.

“
You’re truly blessed,” Volle said out of courtesy.

“
It was bound to happen,” Helfer said as another weasel sat on the other side of Laya. “Isn’t that right, Burren?”

“
Indeed, Lord Ikling,” the governor said as he sat. “I appreciate your cooperation. I know how hard it was for you.” His dry tone and Helfer’s answering smile told Volle that it was a long-standing joke between them.

“
It wasn’t hard,” Helfer muttered to Volle under his breath. “That was the problem.”

Volle grinned. “You got the job done.”

“
Somehow.” He leaned back and sighed, just as the servants brought in the first course, a light soup that smelled mostly of onions, with traces of fruit and herbs below the acrid scent. Once Helfer had given the nod for everyone to start, Volle sampled his and found it quite good. He wasn’t surprised; in a rich land governed by a weasel with refined tastes, he would have been surprised if the food were plain.

Streak seemed to enjoy the soup, too. Conversation died as they all bent to it, and when it was finished, Helfer gave them an inquiring look. Volle smiled in reply. “It’s good,” he said, and Helfer’s grin broadened.

“
Glad we can satisfy your discriminating palate.” He gestured to a servant, and the fine ceramic bowls were taken away almost instantly. He saw Volle’s glance at him. “What?”

Volle shook his head. “It’s just interesting to see you in your own place. In the palace, you always keep to yourself. Here, people look up to you and you seem to like it. You’re really in charge.”

“
Shh!” Helfer gestured at him in mock dismay. “You’ll ruin my reputation here. They only see me once a year!”

Volle chuckled, as Laya certainly didn’t seem to think Helfer had much reputation to ruin. Paying only casual attention to their words, she had handed the infant to her servant, and now was smiling at Streak across the table. “How did you come to be with Lord Vinton?” she asked.

“
We met in Divalia,” he said softly, glancing at Volle. “And then when he left, I left with him.”

“
I see. How long ago was that?”

“
About a year.” He was more confident in that response. She still looked curious, so he added, “We’ve been spending some time on his…family’s farm. Just relaxing.”

“
Ah. It is nice to get away once in a while.”

Streak nodded. “We enjoyed it there. It’s nice to be near the land again.”

“
Again?”

“
Oh. I grew up on a farm.”