The Vlakan King (Book 3) (9 page)

"Really? When I am queen there will be no king of Masina. How would I have less power?"

"Masina will be less respected than Eslenda."

"Jahnn, I think you should drop this subject," said Merie.

"No, Merie. Let him talk. I am quite interested in his opinions. It will help me deal with him when he is the mighty king of Eslenda." Krysta walked back to the glass booth and sat down on a bench. She noticed Raeind Arayr watching her and he smiled. She smiled back, her guests forgotten for the moment.

"Like it or not," said Jahnn. "This is a world led by men. Very few queens have had any impact as a sole ruler."

"Probably because her staff were all men," said Krysta.

"Do you insult your guests?" snapped Jahnn.

"Do be quiet," said Merie.

"You are grandfather's guest, not mine. I daresay such a pig-headed king would poorly serve Eslenda. King Hal did not choose his heir carefully enough."

"I won't stand for this!"

"Hush Jahnn," said Merie. "We are out in public. Wait until we are inside and you can shout like a king at her then."

"I would not allow that," said Krysta. "He can complain once he's across the border, but not in Masina."

"Pardon me," said Raeind Arayr. "I would think both King Hal and King Kalen would be disheartened by this display. The continued friendship of Eslenda and Masina depend upon you three. I do not belong to either realm, yet my livelihood depends on this festival. The lives of so many are determined by your actions."

"Do you allow commoners to speak to you this way?" asked Jahnn.

"I accept good advice from everywhere," said Krysta. "There is no shame in regaining the proper path."

"You are very wise for one so young," said Raeind. He spoke softly so Jahnn and Merie couldn't hear his words. "You will be a great queen. Eslenda must hope Prince Jahnn matures before his grandfather passes on."

"Everyone is pleased you have returned to Dael. You are the best glassmaker."

"Thank you, Princess. It is an honor to be noticed by royalty."

"I think we shall go to our quarters," said Merie. "Don't get up. The guards can take us back. I need to get Jahnn shut away and rework his mind. I am sorry for his comments."

Krysta smiled. "That is nothing to worry about. I'd already forgotten them. Come to my quarters an hour before dinner. We will walk in the garden."

"Just me?"

"Just you."

Merie curtseyed and left with the guards, Jahnn trudged behind.

"She admires you, Princess Krysta," said Raeind. "I think you will have a good friend in Eslenda no matter if Prince Jahnn becomes king or not."

Krysta watched Raeind work in silence for a quarter hour then noticed a singular tall man walking through the crowds. Raeind had seen him too and frowned.

"Do you know him?" asked Krysta.

"Only by reputation. I think King Hal would know him much better. It might be wise to advise your guests of that man's presence."

"What's his name?"

"Lockwell. Go quickly and warn King Hal."

Krysta dashed off leaving her guard startled and slow to catch her. She wove her way through the crowds and stalls and saw the two kings near the town square fountain. She arrived breathless and coughed as she arrived.

"Krysta? Why were you running?" asked King Kalen.

"King Henry, a man named Lockwell is here."

"Lockwell? How do you know?"

"Raeind Arayr named him for me. Very tall and pale. Taller than anyone else in the market. I saw him near the library."

"I don't know this man," said King Kalen. "Who is he?"

"Lockwell is a wizard, once in the employ of my father. He helped me escape from my brother during the Turuck war but vanished after our victory. I heard rumor that he had been in Cresida many years ago. It would be wise to find out why he is here."

"Garen, with King Kalen's permission, go with Laretes and find this Lockwell and bring him to us."

"Laretes, please do so. Bring him to the great hall," said King Kalen.

"Excellent. I was going to suggest the very thing. He is not to be trusted. Be careful and do not give him an excuse to fear for his life. He is very powerful and we want him to come here peaceably. Let us head back. Princess, where are Jahnn and Merie?"

"Merie said they were going to their quarters."

"Good. I don't want them near Lockwell."

"Is he that dangerous?" asked King Kalen.

"Yes. You might wish the princess to be elsewhere when he is brought to us."

"No, I want to see him and hear what he has to say. If he is an enemy of Masina I should know him."

"Very well," said King Kalen. "I agree with your reasoning."

King Hal looked at his friend and frowned. They walked back to the great hall and sat at the table for refreshment before they dealt with Lockwell. Krysta sat next to her grandfather.

One of Hal's guards came to him and told him both the Prince and Princess were safely guarded in their quarters. It was a quarter hour before the lean Laretes and the stocky Garen entering the great hall with the tall stooping wizard between them. They stopped before the table and Lockwell gazed around the room.

"King Kalen, your festival surpasses all others. Thank you for your generosity." He turned toward Hal.

"King Hal, it has been far too many years. You have aged with dignity and Eslenda thrives. Your choices have proved correct."

"Why are you in Dael?" asked King Kalen. "What purpose brings you?"

"The festival, King Kalen, merely the festival. I try to come to all your festivals but the Festival of Verra is special. I offer the artists ways of improving their art."

"What happened in Cresida years ago?" asked King Hal. "Why did you go there?"

"Ah, Cresida, an unfortunate outcome to an otherwise interesting endeavor. I have Celaeri ancestry and it was rumored the Celaeri had been seen again in Cresida. I left as soon as I heard to find out if it were true. I searched for years and to my amazement, I found them. But they were not what I expected. They brought war to Cresida and nearly brought down the ruin of men. I departed swiftly and spent my time since traveling and picking up bits of knowledge from learned men in Amloth and in Anavar."

"I do not have cause to trust you, Lockwell," said King Hal. "I remember the strange doings with the prisoners in the dungeon at Riverdowns. You had not been forthright with us during your time in Eslenda."

"I am sorry you do not believe my words," said Lockwell.

"You have always veiled your meaning in conversation with me," said King Hal.

"That was a generation ago! Do you still hold such things so tight in your fist? I thought you possessed no bitterness but I see I was mistaken. The toils of the world have bound you to your failures. Do not command me, King Hal for I am not your subject, nor King Kalen's and I will do as I please!" Smoke rose from the flooring engulfing Lockwell and then a stiff breeze dissipated the smoke. Lockwell was gone.

"I had his arm gripped tightly," said Garen. "He just melted away."

"What does this mean?" asked King Kalen.

"We need help," said King Hal. "His temper flared far too easily. He is up to something. Oh, Kal, I am far too old for this type of adventure. I only wanted to look at the artwork."

"Where's Krysta?"

"She rushed out of the room just before the wizard vanished," said a servant. "Shall I find her?"

"No. Send Harval after her. He's assigned to guard her anyway."

A tall guard, Harval appeared from the passage to the kitchen and began to follow Princess Krysta.

"How is it you cannot stay with her?" called King Kalen.

"I am sorry your highness. I know where she will be."

Harval returned after ten minutes running full speed. "I went to the booth of the glassmaker, Raeind Arayr," he gasped. "Princess Krysta was not there, and the booth is closed down."

"What? Arayr is gone?" said King Kalen. "He's the focal point of the festival. He returned to us for the first time in years. The festival was to be the best one in years! How could he be gone?"

"His booth is closed, but his supplies are still there. He was seen heading toward the south gate in his wagon, and there was a young veiled woman with him. Princess Krysta has spent a lot of time at his booth since he arrived."

"Oh, I don't want to speculate. Harval, check her quarters and if she isn't found quickly, get a squad and ride after Raeind Arayr. Find out for sure if Krysta is with him. We will search the city if need be."

"Whatever I can do, I will," said King Hal.

"Check on your grandchildren again. Be sure they are there and hopefully Krysta is with them."

When Harval reported Krysta was not in her quarters nor had been seen recently by the servants, King Kalen called for Laretes to lead a systematic search of Dael and all travelers, wagons and question everyone for news of the princess. The news flashed through the city that the princess was missing. Groups of citizens took up the search and between their efforts and that of the king's guard; the obvious places were searched multiple times.

It was dinnertime when King Hal, Prince Jahnn and Princess Merie joined King Kalen for a quiet dinner.

"Did Krysta speak of the glassmaker?" asked King Kalen.

"Not really," said Merie. "She just mentioned that he was the best."

"That's right. She didn't say anything else about him," said Jahnn. "When we arrived at his booth she starting talking to him and ignoring us."

"What did they talk about?" asked King Kalen.

"Just the fair and his artwork," said Merie. "We left soon after."

"Well, Harval should return soon with news," said King Hal.

"Yes, thank you," said King Kalen. "He will bring news."

They finished their dinner and the twins retired for the night. Merie had doused her candle and pulled the blankets to her chin. She felt her muscles finally begin unwinding. She was drifting to sleep when something fought through her slumber. Voices, shouting, feet pounding. She jolted upright and threw back the blankets. She pulled the door open and ran into Jahnn.

"What's happening?" asked Merie. "Are we attacked?"

"No, but Harval was. One of his men limped back to town, the rest were cut down."

"Dead? Harval is dead?" asked Merie.

"Very dead. And they never saw who attacked them. If you are coming to the hall put on a robe. You don't want to be a distraction."

She gave him a punch on the shoulder and ran for her robe.

"We saw no one, your highness," said the soldier. His shoulder was wrapped; blood seeped through the bandage. His face had been slashed. "They came out of nowhere and silent as the dark. I think they left me alive to bring word to you. There is no other reason for me to be alive."

"Go rest," said King Kalen.

Laretes nodded and the soldier gingerly bowed and left the room.

"We are certain Princess Krysta is not in the city," said Laretes. "I believe she is with the glassmaker. He left before the end of the festival and without his gear."

"That is what troubles me," said King Hal. "Why leave his supplies? If he were really leaving he would have taken everything. This was not a planned departure by the glassmaker."

"I agree," said King Kalen. "He was very particular about his tools. He wouldn't let anyone else handle them, if I recall. He was very reluctant to allow me to touch them and stood by nervously while I did."

"I might be able to help," said a voice that came from above their heads. They looked up but only the high ceiling looked down on them.

"Who said that?" asked Laretes, his sword drawn.

"It is Lockwell," said King Hal. "Hiding in the shadows like a spider. What do you know of the princess's disappearance?"

"A bit. Not the entire reason why, but I agree she is with the glassmaker I think."

"You think? Show yourself."

The wizard shimmered into view on the far side of the hall. He held his hand up at the guard who stepped toward him.

"I believe that Raeind Arayr has a destiny other than a glassmaker. His family is an old one traceable back to Mauran de Arayr."

"You're mistaken! It's a common name. If it were true why isn't he in Nantitet with High King Armana? He's the head of their family."

"No, King Kalen, I am not mistaken. Of this I am sure. There are a few scions of the Arayr family scattered over Landermass. The glassmaker may be from a ragged branch on that tree, but he does belong to the High King's lineage. There may be something related to his family's past that caught up with Raeind and he fled with the princess for her safety. As you say, she spent a lot of time at his booth. Perhaps she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and now flees his pursuers in his company. I do not believe Raeind Arayr would hurt Princess Krysta, but his enemies might."

"That comforts me but little," said King Kalen.

"Do you know any more about this?" asked King Hal. "Who would be enemies of a man with an ancient lineage who is no more powerful than an artisan? Does he have a connection to the deeds of his forefathers? Is there an heirloom that would draw such attention? Do you have a clue to the threat?"

"I am sorry I do not. I only learned of his family tree by accident. There is no word of an heirloom from Mauran de Arayr's time. I have offered all the help I can." Lockwell faded away again.

"I do not trust Lockwell," said King Hal. "He keeps too much information to himself. It's like drawing blood from a stone. He tosses us bits of information that may be useful but we don't know what he is holding back. He abused my father's trust to allow him to experiment on prisoners for his own ends."

"What can I do?" asked King Kalen. "Just wait?"

In the silence that followed Merie went back to her room. She shut the door, bolted it and walked to the window. She stared out at the night, wishing she were back home. Poor Krysta. There was movement in the interior of the room.

"Who?" Merie had a small dagger in her hand. She always carried one in her sleeve. Garen had insisted she carry it despite her protests. She would never again complain about it.