TheRedKing (7 page)

“And seeing how I have tremendous respect for King Areus,
I’ll be willing to help you with your studies. I must tell you, though, I see
many serious wounds. This job isn’t for the squeamish. I’m not sure what you
did with the sisters, but—”

“I stitched battle wounds, set broken limbs, participated in
several amputations, removed arrowheads and delivered babies. The sisters also
taught me how to prepare medicines.”

Seth raised an eyebrow. “You did all that?”

“She did,” Echo uttered softly, but with a hint of pride.
“And I assisted.”

“So stick that in your mug and drink it.” Alexa nodded
firmly.

“Still, doing all that doesn’t necessarily mean it was done
well. I’ll observe your skills and we’ll go from there,” he said. “When do you
want to start?”

“No better time than the present.” Delia rolled up her
sleeves.

Seth grinned. “That’s what I like. A woman who doesn’t
procrastinate.”

“You just like any woman who’s willing to spend more than
five minutes in your irritable company,” Alexa quipped.

“You be gone.” Seth waved his hand at her. “Go dust a shelf
or mend some socks. We have work to do here. I’m preparing medicines so we’ll
be well stocked when the battles start again.”

“Tell me what you need,” Delia said.

Seth turned away to reach for a bunch of dried herbs and Alexa
looked at Delia and nodded, winking and smiling.

Delia returned her smile. It was turning out to be a
wonderful day and she could scarcely wait to tell Areus about it.

In a storm-darkened field, the blood-bay stallion Notus
danced beneath Hypatios, who glanced skyward. Lightning flashed and thunder
rumbled.

Resting a gloved hand on the horse’s rain-soaked neck, he
whispered, “I know. It’s been a long day, but this detour was necessary.”

His army had taken this village—the last in the south not
under Zaltanian rule—just days ago. Already there had been an upheaval and
Hypatios wanted to be sure everything was under control before he continued north.

He considered himself a fair man. Unlike his father’s
General Zenon in the north, he didn’t seek to utterly destroy those he
conquered. Assimilating new citizens was far more intelligent and profitable
than crushing enemies. Usually, once a village surrendered, he ordered his men
to help them rebuild. Severe punishments were reserved for rebels, but he
wasn’t fanatical, except when an entire village, such as this one, decided to
ignore the fact that they were now part of Zaltana.

Though the village was just over the hill, the scent of
smoke hung heavy on the air. He heard screaming and wailing. It was really
quite annoying.

Around his neck, his black-and-red snake, Beauty, tensed,
coiling tighter.

Something was wrong.

Two soldiers on horseback appeared on the hill. As they
approached, he recognized Leo, his second in command and the only man in
Zaltana whom he trusted completely.

Two other soldiers, riding winged horses, came out of
nowhere on either side of the men. The ghostly figures solidified, their faces
gray as ash. If he looked carefully, Hypatios could discern a faint,
grayish-green glow around them. One soldier had a massive chest wound. The
other drew a knife from the sheath at his waist. He made a slow, cutting motion
across his throat and blood dripped from the gaping wound. He glanced in the
direction of the village and shook his head sadly.

Contrary to what most people believed, the dead did speak.

Leo said something to the other soldier who turned his horse
and galloped back toward the village. The spectral warriors vanished.

As Leo approached Hypatios, his face remained stern as
always, but Hypatios noticed tension in his eyes.

“What’s the problem, Leo?” Hypatios said in a deceptively
pleasant voice.

“The village is secured, just as you commanded, sir.”

“Is it? Let’s see how well our unit has followed orders.” He
nudged Notus ever so slightly and the horse moved forward.

“Sir, if you would give us a bit more time to make the
village presentable—”

Hypatios glanced at him with a wry smile. “You’re trying to
clean up a battleground for me? How considerate of you.”

“Sir, I just—”

“What?” Hypatios continued up the hill. When he reached the
top his gut clenched, mostly because these fools, led by what he had hoped to
be a promising young soldier, had completely ignored orders.

Every house, barn and shop had been burned to rubble. The
bloody ground was strewn with the bodies of men, women and even worse, several
children. The few survivors, mostly women and children, cried over the bodies
of the dead or wandered in stunned silence. The troop of Zaltanian soldiers
circled the village. Though most were on horseback, some were binding a few of
the survivors in chains. In the midst of the ruins, Dorian, the soldier in
charge, stood over a screaming woman he had forced over a barrel. Her skirts
were tossed over her head while the warrior, his breeches pulled down and still
carrying his sword in one hand, rutted her from behind.

“You call this secure?” Hypatios said, slanting his most
deadly gaze in Leo’s direction.

“Dorian and many of his troop haven’t been with us long enough
to—”

“To obey commands? Return to camp. Wait for me in my tent.”

“Sir, if you—”

“Do what I say. I’ve had enough insubordination for one
day.” Hypatios glared, his voice a rasp of fury. Beauty, still coiled around
Hypatios’s neck, stretched her head toward Leo and hissed. Leo’s gaze shifted
from Hypatios to the snake.

“Yes sir.” Leo turned his horse and jogged off.

Notus galloped forward, scattering anyone—soldier or
villager—in his way. Almost before Dorian knew what was happening, the stallion
reared above him.

“Sir!” Dorian jumped away from the woman, surprised. He
hitched up his breeches as Hypatios dismounted and approached, his sword drawn.
“We were just securing the—”

Dorian’s words ended in a gurgling choke of pain as Hypatios
buried the sword in his heart. The warrior dropped to the dirt. Hypatios braced
a foot against the body and yanked out his sword.

Other than the soft sobs from a few of the survivors,
everything became eerily quiet.

“This is
not
acceptable,” Hypatios bellowed. “This is
not
following orders. Somebody sink this pig in the nearest river.” He
kicked Dorian’s carcass. “Take whoever is left to the nearest village then
report back to my camp by midnight. Another troop that can follow orders will
replace you in keeping peace here in the south during our absence.”

A few soldiers glanced at one another and whispered something.

Hypatios strode toward them, still holding his bloodied
sword. He pointed it at the men. “You have something to say?”

“No sir.”

“No sir? A moment ago you clearly had something to say.
Would you like them to be your last words? Dorian might be lonely in the
river.”

Dorian’s ghostly form stood among the men, glaring at Hypatios.

“Don’t look at me like that. Don’t even think about it!” Hypatios
roared. “Cutting down unarmed women and children is for the weak. Rape is for
pathetic cowards who think it makes them powerful, but they never will be. Not
in my army. What they will be is dead.”

Dorian’s ghost faded and the soldiers, who believed Hypatios
had been shouting only at them, remained at attention, fear glistening in their
eyes.

Hypatios swung onto Notus’s back, rode out of the village
and to his camp nearly a mile away.

When he entered his tent, he found Leo waiting for him, as
ordered.

“Sir, I can explain,” Leo said, glancing at the bloodstained
sword Hypatios still clasped.

“There’s nothing to explain. I’ve dealt with the problem.”

“Dorian and his recruits came from a village still faithful
to the old ways. To them securing the village meant—”

“Rape and slaughtering children not old enough to hold a sword?”

“I didn’t say I agreed. You know I don’t, but by the time I
arrived— The point is, some men, like Dorian, might think you weak if you don’t
allow them to show their authority in traditional ways.”

Hypatios smiled humorlessly. He ran his fingertip along the
edge of his bloodied sword. “I doubt Dorian feels that way now.”

Leo cleared his throat and asked, “Is he still with us?”

“No, my old friend.” Hypatios’s smile broadened. “He’s gone
to a better place.”

* * * * *

At dusk, Areus left the barracks where he had been
inspecting the troops and meeting with Etor. As usual, his day had been busy
and this was the first moment he had to himself.

Allowing himself to relax had never been easy for Areus.
Usually he could only clear his mind through physical exertion. Tomorrow he
would return to training, regardless of what Seth or anyone else said. He
needed to resume his normal schedule. Only lovemaking with Delia kept him from
going mad, or at least that’s how he felt.

She is a far lovelier diversion than the training field,
he thought with a faint smile. Usually after a long, busy day he wanted to
spend at least some time alone, but this evening he found himself longing for
the company of his wife.

He tapped on the adjoining door to her chamber, but not even
a servant responded. Clearly Delia wasn’t there. He searched the library, then
wandered to the great hall where he asked Alexa her whereabouts. She directed
him to Seth’s infirmary.

Concern shot through him. “She’s not ill or injured?”

“Of course not. You needn’t worry. She’s quite a healthy
woman.”

Areus didn’t doubt that. Imagining her small, strong body
clinging to him was enough to make his heart pound.

“She has a keen interest in healing and has decided to help
Seth in the infirmary. Your community house also impressed her. She’s not the
sort of queen we expected.”

“You mean that in a good way?” Areus studied his old nanny
carefully.

“Most definitely. I think in many ways she’s an excellent
match for you.” She gazed at him with affection. Areus cared deeply about
Alexa. She was the closest thing to a mother he had after he’d lost his own. He
thought of her as family rather than as a servant.

“I’m glad you like her.”

“If she is as much like you as I believe, she’ll work right
through dinner unless you go fetch her.”

Areus nodded and headed for the infirmary.

He wondered how Delia was getting on with Seth. Though an
excellent healer and possessing a good heart, Seth could also be obstinate,
bossy and sarcastic.

A smile tugged at his lips. Delia should have no problem
handling him.

When he stepped into the infirmary, he found Delia and Seth
standing at the table, filling and labeling jars. He could smell the concoction
they’d made even from across the room and he curled his lip.

“Is that potion used to save or kill?” Areus teased,
approaching the table.

“It’s for cleansing wounds and someday you might be grateful
for it,” Delia told him.

Seth glanced from the king to the queen and his lips twisted
into a reluctant smile.

“Your new queen is full of surprises,” said the healer.

“Yes, I know. Both of you are going to be late for dinner.”

“We’re almost finished.” Delia concentrated on pouring the
strong-smelling liquid into a jar.

“I can finish here,” Seth insisted.

“No. I started the task. I’ll see it through.”

The healer nodded and Areus said, “May I help? It might
speed things along.”

“Speedy hands during a crisis saves lives. Hurrying while
preparing medicinal herbs might destroy them. Patience. Patience.”

“Come here.” Delia motioned for Areus to stand next to her.
She handed him a funnel and pushed a few jars in front of him. “Finish
pouring.”

Seth raised an eyebrow. “I said
you
could work here,
not
him
. He’s better at cutting things up than repairing them.”

“I can do a more than adequate field dressing.” Areus
focused on the medicine he poured.

“Adequate? If you say so. You are, after all, the king.”

“We love Seth,” Areus said, his tone subtly mocking. “Not
only does he stitch us up, but provides entertainment while doing so. He
started out as a jester, but failed and turned to healing.”

“I’ll remember that next time you arrive with a gash from an
assassin’s blade—” Seth stopped speaking at a glare from Areus, but it was too
late.

“What assassin?” Delia asked, staring at Areus, her hazel
eyes wide. “Areus, did something happen today?”

Since the attack during training with his personal guards,
the fact that a Zaltanian assassin had injured the king had been kept quiet.
Everyone had been told he had merely suffered a training injury. Only a few knew
the truth.

“No. Seth was speaking hypothetically. There was no attack
today.”

Delia held his gaze and he sensed that she didn’t fully believe
him.

Seth remained uncharacteristically quiet as they completed
their task.

“Go clean up for dinner,” Areus told Delia. He reached for
her hand and squeezed it gently. “I’ll join you in the great hall. Tell the
others I won’t be long.”

She nodded and left the infirmary.

“Sire, I’m sorry,” Seth said. “I thought she knew about your
wound.”

“But not about the assassin.”

“It was stupid of me.”

“Yes it was. But no real harm has been done.”

“I always think before I speak. Your queen is so personable
I feel as if I’ve always known her. She’s not like a stranger.”

Why did Seth’s words make Areus bristle? For some reason,
Delia seemed to get along with everyone in the household, from guards to
kitchen maids, but she had been argumentative with him from the first. He no
longer doubted that she was attracted to him and that she was even learning to
like him, but for some unfathomable reason he provoked her while other men in
the castle did not.

“If I’ve spoken out of line again, I apologize,” Seth said.

“I’m a forgiving man, Seth, but even I have limits.” Areus
stared at him hard.

Seth’s large, dark eyes didn’t shift from his. The healer
was an honest man and Areus realized this anger toward him was uncalled for.

“There’s no need for you to apologize. At least not about
what you’ve said about the queen. I’m happy she’s fitting so well into our
household. You don’t mind her working here in the infirmary? If you do I’ll
speak to her.”

“From what I’ve observed she’s a decent healer. The sisters
taught her well. She’ll be a great help here.”

Areus nodded. “Come to dinner, Seth.”

“I’ll have a bite later. There are a few things I want to
finish here.” Seth bowed his head to Areus who gestured with his hand in
dismissal.

While Seth returned to work, Areus left the infirmary.

A short time later, he sat at the high table and instructed
the servants to hold dinner until Delia arrived, since she had gone to wash up.
Sometimes he took meals in his chamber, relishing the quiet. The great hall was
almost always bustling with servants and guests. While he enjoyed socializing, sometimes
he wanted to be alone. Tomorrow he would arrange a private dinner with Delia.

Rain entered and joined Areus at his table. The Knight’s
tawny dogs followed him and he pointed at the fire. The beasts lumbered toward
it and curled up in front of it.