Scrivener's Tale (55 page)

‘Er, yes,' he said, tying up his new breeches. ‘The unicorn.'

She nodded. ‘I'm pleased for you. Both such magnificent creatures. Mine, of course, is this one.' She gestured to the pillar that dwarfed them. ‘I can't blame you for admiring him — the royal dragon. King of the Beasts. He is magnificent. I remember the day he called my name as though it was yesterday. I was three summers old, and he knew me and I knew him. I wept too.'

Cassien stood. ‘We must go.'

‘I'm staying here,' Gabe said, looking as mystified as they did by his words. He shook his head. ‘It told me to wait.'

‘What did?' Florentyna asked.

Gabe glanced at Cassien. ‘The, er … the unicorn.'

‘It definitely spoke to you in this way?' Cassien asked, not disbelieving Gabe but certainly surprised. Gabe nodded.

‘My creature has never spoken to me, beyond his initial summons,' Florentyna admitted, sounding envious of him.

‘Darcelle knows you. It's highly likely she'll come into the cathedral. It's too dangerous. I will bring you back, if it's your choice to be here.'

‘It's not my choice. It's the creature's,' Gabe said. ‘I trust it, I trust the cathedral. I always have. You need to know that I've been searching for this place for most of my life. I found it now … I can't leave it.'

Cassien nodded. He had to let everyone follow their instincts, especially now magic was at work … in curious ways. His job was to protect the queen alone. He frowned. ‘Why would it want you to stay?'

‘It's my role, it said. There are three of us. He didn't say more. Just that I must stay in the cathedral.'

It was the Triad that Ham had spoken of, Cassien was sure of it. ‘Well, then, you have to stay out of sight.'

‘I will, I promise.'

‘Can I talk with Gabe a moment, your majesty?'

‘Of course. I will wait just over there.'

‘Are you sure?' Cassien pressed when the queen was not in hearing distance.

Gabe nodded. ‘About this, yes. About whether we see one another again, no.'

Cassien gave a mirthless chuckle. ‘If for any reason you ever visit Orkyld, make sure you meet a woman called Vivienne. Tell her I'm glad she tried to trick me … that I have fond feelings for her and I was sad to have to leave.' And that she should use the gold I left to better her position in life; I have no need of it.

‘Tell her yourself. Unless you want to start finding your way to a place called Paris to pass on messages to my friends.'

They both grinned.

Cassien surprised himself by giving Gabe a firm hug. ‘I don't understand much of what is happening, but we are certainly brothers in spirit, at least. Be safe, Gabriel.'

There was something achingly familiar about the way Gabe felt in that moment of embrace; the way he tipped his head, the way he naturally wrapped an arm around Cassien's neck and particularly the words he whispered: ‘Safe trails, Cass.' It sounded so familiar, so effortless.

Cassien shrank back to stare at him. Gabe stared back.

‘What?' the man from Paris asked.

‘Why did you say that?'

Gabe shrugged, looked bemused. ‘I don't really know. It felt like a memory,' he said, with a crooked smile. ‘Nothing's normal for me here. I can't separate what's real or dreaming, what's this life or my previous. Forgive me.'

Cassien joined fists with his new friend. ‘I will see you again, Gabe.'

‘You can be sure of it,' Gabe replied. He bowed now to Florentyna. ‘Your majesty. As we say where I come from, “Take no shit from anyone.”'

Florentyna exploded into a helpless laugh, quickly censuring herself as she looked around the nave, but it was quiet. ‘I don't even know what that means,' she whispered, leaning forward and kissing Gabe on both cheeks, ‘but it sounds deliciously wicked. And remember this, you are my brother too. I will see you again, dear one.'

Gabe beamed. ‘Go!'

With a reverent touch of the dragon's pillar, and one final glance at their friend, Cassien took the queen's arm and ran her to the front doors. ‘Hurry, Florentyna, those bodies could be found any time.'

She pulled the hood of her cloak over her face and allowed Cassien to walk her quickly out into the streets of her city, where they immediately fell into stride with the flow of traffic, dodging horses, carriages and the general to and fro of people going about their daily life.

‘I'm going to buy a pair of horses and then we head for Tyntar.'

‘And after that?' she murmured.

‘To another cathedral I trust.'

‘Where is that?'

‘To the one place I know where I can keep you safe, your majesty,' Cassien whispered. ‘We're going to the Great Forest.'

Ham held his breath as he watched King Tamas meet Princess Darcelle emerging from her bedchamber. She looked flushed from her bath — or was it excitement? Over the top of a pale-blue knitted shift, she wore a cream lace dress, studded with pearls. The attire was ‘fussy' in Ham's opinion but it certainly showed off Darcelle's exquisite shape as though it had been painted on her.

She reached out her hands to the king. Ham was impressed that Tamas didn't hesitate but grasped them warmly and held them against his cheeks.

‘You've never looked more desirable,' he said.

‘Tamas,' she exclaimed in a more breathy voice than he was used to hearing. ‘You took your time, you had me worried.'

‘You must never worry about me, my love.'

Ham watched her cut him a glance.

‘Why is the boy here?'

‘There's a lot going on, Darcelle — my retinue is understandably concerned for me, for both of us. This is Hamelyn. He's been appointed my personal messenger and I've given my word to my guard that he will rarely leave my side. I cannot linger either, my dear. Forgive me, but there is much to do. Obviously all the formalities have been cancelled and we must make arrangements to return to Cipres.'

Hamelyn watched the queen's sister shift her attention fully to him and he realised all of their suspicions were surely confirmed. Cyricus had not seen him previously, and thus could not know him. If Darcelle had still been present perhaps he would have seen a flare of recognition in her eyes; instead, he fancied he could see the evil spirit lurking behind the cold gaze that felt like winter on his skin.

‘You are obviously seeing more of my betrothed than I, Hamelyn of Cipres.'

‘Your highness,' Ham muttered deliberately, lowering his gaze to show deference, but really not wishing to look upon the cruel eyes.

‘Tell me why a visiting merchant's death is so important to our proceedings, Tamas. The man was barely known in the court so his absence is not going to create any large disturbance.' Ham watched her observing the king's surprised reaction to her words and noted the way she covered her callous response. ‘What I mean is, Tentrell dropped dead. It could have happened to him at any time and anywhere. It was inconvenient that his heart chose that moment to give out but we shouldn't let his demise disrupt our nuptials … surely.'

‘It's far more serious, though, Darcelle, and it's not only Tentrell. Have you already forgotten that your chamberlain died through the night, not to mention so many other inexplicable deaths around the palace? I believe there is danger for all of us.'

Darcelle adopted a peeved expression. ‘I haven't forgotten, Tamas — don't talk to me as though I'm a child.'

‘Oh, forgive me, my love,' Tamas said and pulled her close. Darcelle moved to receive his kiss, but Ham noticed that the king cleverly avoided contact on the lips, making soothing sounds and hugging her, ‘but you are as precious as a child to me and thus too valuable to risk.'

Ham moved cautiously and slowly into the shadows in order that Darcelle could forget his presence and he could observe her without being too obvious.

She appeared comforted by this. ‘Where is Florentyna?'

The king shrugged. ‘I left her at the chapel. She'd gone to pay her respects to Burrage. Quite a shock for her, I gather.'

Darcelle lifted a shoulder, gave a careless smirk.

‘Do you remember that beautiful river journey we took together when you visited Cipres?'

‘Yes, of course,' she replied, smiling lazily. ‘Why do you mention it?'

‘Well, there was a tiny island with that chapel I showed you?'

She nodded encouragingly. ‘Go on …' Darcelle said, turning away to stare out the window.

‘It was built by my great-great-grandmother for the burial of her daughter, who died suddenly, far too young.'

‘Yes, I recall it. It was a beautiful spot.'

‘High on a cliff,' he said.

‘That's right.'

‘And you saw the eagle, said it reminded you of me.'

She giggled. ‘I can be fanciful at times, my king. And what did you want to tell me about this chapel?'

‘I thought it might make the perfect place to take our vows. It's just that Florentyna mentioned in her distress that so much has ruined our nuptials —'

‘And she's suggested we sail for Cipres as soon as possible and get married in your realm for expediency?'

Ham watched the king's eyes narrow. ‘I wouldn't put it quite so bluntly — as though it is a devious move — but yes, in essence that's precisely what she's suggesting. We could leave tomorrow. I will ready my men, the ships. We can be prepared by tonight if I push hard.'

‘Tamas, don't you see this is playing directly into her hands? She wants me gone. I'm a thorn in her side and —'

‘I have never got that impression, dear one,' Tamas cut in. Ham could see he didn't want to allow Darcelle to get worked up. ‘She simply made the offer. Look, humour me. I will ready the Ciprean retinue for departure and we shall take a few days to consider our position. If you wish to remain, so be it. We can reorganise the festivities. But if you choose to sail, we can slip our moorings in a blink … if that's your choice.'

‘So … it's up to me?' she flirted.

‘It will always be up to you, my love,' he responded in kind. ‘Now,' he put a finger in the air and then touched his lips, with a grin, as if correcting himself, ‘Ham, hunt down a man called Menster, and also Captain Wentzl. Tell Wentzl to meet me in the bailey.'

Ham frowned. He didn't know Menster or where to find him. ‘Yes, your majesty,' he said gravely, and bowed before making for the door. Obviously the king wanted him to leave, but Ham didn't want to walk out of the door without Tamas in tow.

‘And Ham?'

He looked back. ‘Tell Menster that the homing pigeons need to be sent. He'll know what to do.'

‘Yes, my king.' Ham had absolutely no idea what it all meant but he turned sombrely and bowed to the princess. ‘Your highness.' She barely spared him a glance, but Ham felt he had to do something to help the king extricate himself. ‘Er, your majesty?' Tamas turned his way. ‘You asked for a reminder that you had to give some instructions directly to Felder Goring. I gather it was urgent. Forgive me for presuming,' he said, lowering his eyes.

‘Felder Goring?' Tamas repeated looking at Ham. ‘Ah yes, of course. Well done, boy. Off you go now.' Ham deliberately turned, but moved slowly. He heard Tamas make a soft groan of suffering. ‘Forgive me, my dear one. I must beg your leave. I am going directly to make provisions for our departure and once I have set that in motion, I intend to find us two horses and we are going to ride away from this nonsense and have some quiet time together.'

Ham could hear the excitement in Darcelle's voice. ‘Truly?'

Ham opened the door.

‘Truly. Give me until next bell and be ready. I shall come for you. And I plan to banish my bodyguards,' he teased. ‘I want time genuinely alone with you,' he chuckled.

Ham heard Darcelle give a pleasurable tinkle of laughter. The sound was chilling and he imagined Cyricus thinking that time alone with Tamas would provide the opportunity for transference into the king's body.

‘Don't make me wait too long, my …' Ham lost the last few words as he closed the door, praying that Tamas would get out of there fast. The king had managed to get Ham out of the room and Ham figured Tamas would not want to find him still lurking, so he began to trot away from the palatial quarters of Princess Darcelle, hoping to hear the sound of her chamber door opening.

Tamas was upon him before he knew. ‘What are you still doing here, Ham? Run! Run now for the stables. Look like you can't spare a moment for anyone, but to deliver my message and I want two nondescript horses saddled immediately.'

‘What about you, majesty?' Ham spluttered, still shocked at the speed with which Tamas had caught up with him.

‘Don't worry about me. Just get there and be ready.'

Ham ran, taking the grand steps two at a time even though he knew he should be using the back stairs of Stoneheart. This was the quickest way and anyone would struggle to keep up with him if they wanted to catch and punish him. He threw a glance over his shoulder and saw Tamas moving swiftly, but toward the wing where his chambers were.

‘Hurry, King Tamas, hurry,' he breathed, swerving to avoid two guards passing by at the bottom of the stairs and then he was hurtling into the bailey, running as fast as he could toward the stables, his mind reeling with the memory of Fynch's voice in his head, a wolf talking to him, the concept of the Triad and an odd notion about himself, Cassien and Gabe that he wasn't yet prepared to explore.

Tamas was moving as quickly as he dared too, relief flooding through him that he'd got Hamelyn out of harm's way for the time being and that he'd also made it out of Darcelle's chambers without having to kiss her. His promise about their sharing some private time later, without minders, was a barefaced lie concocted on the spot.