King’s Wrath

‘Well, here’s her latest rash act. She’s chosen the emperor over you.’

‘That’s ridiculous. Elka and I …’

‘What?’ Leo demanded, his tone full of derision.

Gavriel paused and ran his hand through his hair. ‘Well, we’ve been close friends for a decade. She hardly knows him. And she’s disgusted by the death he’s wreaked on the Set.’

‘And now she’s met him and he’s convinced her to get him away from us. Now more than ever I need the protection of an aegis. Until now I’ve had the disguise of anonymity, the cover of Loethar’s belief that I was killed a long time ago. That is all shattered now. You have to help me. We have to get Faris trammelled.’

‘I have to go after her. Make her see reason, understand why she did this. She could have been startled. Maybe she saw other enemies and got him away for all the right reasons?’ Gavriel tried.

‘Then where are these intruders? We’d see some evidence. And who is going to be travelling this high up, this deep into the forest, by chance?’

Gavriel shook his head. ‘I just want to know why.’

‘First we must return to Faris. I’m now so vulnerable we can’t waste another moment on recriminations. Let’s get the protectionwe need and then worry about Loethar. He’s injured. He can’t get that far, even on her back,’ Leo said with immense disgust. Turning, he headed back through the woods towards where they’d left Kilt.

Gavriel followed, his mind in a daze of confusion.

5

He glanced over at her. ‘Are you all right?’

She gave a tight, nervous smile. ‘Yes. Just a bit overwhelmed, I suppose.’

‘Just move as though you mean it, Lily,’ Kirin counselled. ‘Freath told me this many times over the last ten anni. Half the battle with any form of guise is confidence. Talk like you mean it, walk like you mean it, is what he used to say. If we can convince the first few people we meet, you’ll blend into the palace with ease. I have rooms well away from any of the people you need to fear.’

She nodded. ‘I trust you, Kirin.’

‘I’m glad. Just act the role, Lily; no one’s got any reason to disbelieve it. We’ve gone over our story so many times I almost believe it.’

‘Well, we’re not lying, we are married,’ she said as she held up her hand. They both looked at the ring on her finger. Lily’s expression was a study in disbelief.

Kirin made his voice as gentle as he could. ‘Come on, Mrs Felt, let me show off what a beautiful wife I’ve caught on my travels.’

‘After you, Master Felt,’ she said, nodding.

Kirin led the way towards the great palace gates, slowing his horse as the guards stepped out. He recognised three of them.

‘You’re back,’ said a young man whose name, Kirin recalled, was Jert. ‘People have been worried about you.’

‘Worried?’ Kirin frowned. ‘Why? Surely Master Freath told everyone I was on a sabbatical?’

‘Erm, well, we’ve had bad news from the north,’ Jert said, pointing him through the gates.

Kirin’s anxiety deepened. ‘What kind of bad news?’ he asked as he got off his horse to lead it through.

The young man shook his head. ‘We’re not sure what it means — not much detail filters down to us. But the news this morning is that General Stracker is headed back to Brighthelmstone today… alone. He should be here shortly. The runner came by almost exactly on the last bell.’

‘Alone? Without whom?’ Kirin asked, shaking his head, confused as another familiar soldier joined them, an older man. ‘Hello, Kain.’

‘Master Kirin. Good to see you back safe and sound.’

Kirin found a grin. ‘I’ve been a little busy finding myself a wife,’ he said, gesturing to Lily as he handed over his reins to a young stableboy.

His two companions laughed and Kirin snuck a glance at Lily. She was smiling, but he could tell she was uncomfortable with the men’s attention. Clearing his throat, he said hastily, ‘I suppose I should have sent word but I presumed Freath would advise all who needed to know. Anyway, who did you expect should be accompanying the general?’

‘The emperor, Master Kirin,’ Jert replied. ‘Loethar went north in search of his brother after their mother died.’

Kirin paused, privately delighted at this news. ‘Gar’s breath!’ he forced out, making sure he sounded shocked and appropriately sorrowful. ‘She seemed in good health when I left.’

‘She was,’ the older man said, an edge of sarcasm in his voice. ‘And while nothing’s being said, we all think that’s why the empress has been banished.’

‘Banished?’ Kirin repeated, definitely surprised by this news and even more delighted. ‘Why?’

Kain winked. ‘It’s not for me to say. Let’s just agree that the emperor didn’t trust her story that his mother died of natural causes.’ He tapped his nose as though they were speaking in confidence.

Kirin felt his mouth drop open. Finally he said, ‘I’ve only been gone a short while. Any more death or drama to speak of?’ He said it lightly, as a means of extricating himself and Lily, expecting the guards would shake their heads and he could move on, but the soldier called Kain grew serious.

‘It sounds like you haven’t heard about Master Freath?’

Kirin felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. ‘Freath? No. What’s wrong with him? I was at his side just a few days ago.’

Kain nodded. ‘Yes, I thought so. I presume that’s why the general is keen to speak to you.’

‘What? Why?’

Kain shrugged. ‘To ask you who might have killed Freath.’

‘Killed … pardon?’ Kirin took a breath. ‘Freath is dead?’ he murmured, the final word catching in his throat.

‘Already buried, I believe.’

‘But why… who?… ‘ Kirin trailed off, feeling sick and frightened. ‘And the general thinks I had something to do with it?’ he continued, his throat feeling as though it were closing.

The man nodded. ‘Well, I think the emperor and our general believe that you might have some information that could help,’ he said carefully.

Kirin couldn’t speak for a few moments. Finally he stuttered, ‘Forgive me, this news is a shock.’

‘I know you and he were close. Anyway, I shall let General Stracker know you are returned. He will want to speak with you immediately.’

‘Excuse me, Kain. I… I need to… ‘ He didn’t finish his sentence. Grabbing Lily’s arm, he urged her away from theguards. ‘We have to get away from here,’ he growled beneath his breath.

‘What?’

‘Don’t react. Just walk. Smile at me. I said smile.’ She found one. ‘Good, well done. Now put your hand against my chest as though you’re concerned for me.’

She did as she was asked. ‘Believe me, I am concerned for you. What happens now?’

He turned to her and swallowed. ‘Freath’s dead. I don’t know what to do. He was our protection.’

Lily looked ahead, and he could tell her head was swimming with the same anxieties as his own.

‘We’re going to get some money and then we’re gone. All right?’

She nodded, looking frightened. ‘Are we in immediate danger here?’

‘Yes, we could be.’

‘Oh, Kirin —’

‘You have to trust me now. I won’t let anything happen to you, Lily.’

She didn’t look convinced. ‘You said I was a liability from the moment I opened my mouth and claimed to be your wife.’

‘None of this is your fault. And you are my wife, don’t forget that.’

She nodded, none of the fear leaving her expression.

‘I need you to force yourself to be calm and to just pretend. We will get through this.’

People nodded and smiled at them, some even stopped to pass a few words with Kirin, and Lily felt herself in a whirl of activity and congratulations as her husband put aside his fears and feigned precisely the right blend of charm and sorrow. Yes, he’d just received the terrible news of Freath, yes, they’d only just arrived back into the capital to hear the dire revelation, wasn’t itdreadful about Dara Negev — whoever she is, Lily thought — and this was his new wife. She found herself being admired, eyed up and down, even hugged by a very jolly woman, and all the time Kirin was dragging her gently forwards. They walked down corridors, up two flights of stairs, across landings, and then up another spiralling staircase. The palace became quieter and quieter until Kirin stood before a door. From around his neck he pulled a thong. And the key that hung from it opened the door, the timber creaking as he pushed it open.

‘Here we are,’ he said, throwing her a sad glance. ‘Welcome to my home of the last ten anni.’

The general threw the reins of his horse at the approaching stableman, barely acknowledging the soldiers around him who stood straighter and touched a hand to one cheek in a sign of recognition of the tribes.

Stracker’s tatua was drawn back by a snarl. How had Loethar got away? He’d ridden ahead of his henchmen, too disgusted to travel with them or even look at them right now. Fires of Aludane! The man had too many lives! Now he had no ally, only enemies.

Stracker strode through the halls and corridors of Brighthelmstone, startling palace workers, making for the wing reserved strictly for the emperor. His towering, threatening presence brooked no argument and he was permitted to barge into his brother’s chambers unchallenged. Once in Loethar’s salon, he slammed the door shut, yelling that he was to be left undisturbed unless information was forthcoming. Then, standing by one of the tall windows where he had so often seen his brother position himself as he pondered an issue, Stracker now adopted a similar position and brooded.

He had never been the clever son but it angered him that his family constantly underrated his ability, ever since Loethar had beaten him — more than beaten… humiliated him — on the day when the tribe fought for leadership. Yes, Loethar had been amagnificent warrior in his day, although Stracker wondered how fast those lightning quick skills might be today. He had certainly capitulated with ease back in the forest; hadn’t even offered the slightest resistance.

Instead, his brother had spoken about honour and duty. Stracker gave a choked sound of anger as he stared out towards the forest fringe. Loethar had become so naturalised as a Denovian that not only did he no longer look like he was Steppes-born, he didn’t even seem to think like a tribesman any more. His brother had become more and more a stranger to him until now their intentions, their whole outlooks, seemed to be on opposite ends.

Once again Stracker wished he had been able to wheedle out of his mother which of the tribal lords had fathered Loether. Stracker had tried many times but it was one subject she had been entirely closed to. Being her first born he would have thought she’d one day share this detail with him but she took that secret to her death. He wondered if Loethar knew.

But where was he now? he screamed in his mind. And who was protecting him? He had never seen who hurled the stone that struck his temple. He touched the spot now and felt the tenderness, pain shooting across his head. It made him livid to think that anyone would dare take a shot at him. He would find that person and tear him limb from limb with his bare hands.

A knock at the door interrupted his angry thoughts.

‘What?’ he roared.

The door opened slowly, tentatively, and a young messenger peered in.

‘You’d want to have some news to risk interrupting me,’ Stracker snarled.

The young man cleared his throat. He didn’t step inside any further and he didn’t close the door behind him. ‘General Stracker, you asked me to find out if there was any news regarding Kirin Felt. General, Master Felt arrived today.’

‘What?’ Stracker roared and took a pace forward.

The youngster quailed, instantly fell into Steppes language in his fear, and began to gabble. ‘He is in Brighthelmstone. According to the men at the gates, he has a new wife. They… they arrived during the last bell, not that long before you did.’

‘Find them! I wish to speak with them immediately.’

‘I thought you would say that, general, and I have already organised an escort. I sensed this man is important to you.’

Stracker was surprised. The boy showed intuition. The useful kind. ‘Very good. What is your name?’

‘Leak, general.’

‘I will remember you, Leak. Go fetch Kirin Felt and bring his wife also. Do not brook any argument,’ he said, returning to the Denovian language that Loethar had always insisted upon. ‘And one more thing: I want you to fetch someone else for me, too.’

As soon as he was inside the deceptively large chamber, Kirin appeared to crumple in on himself. All the bravado and courage deserted him and he sat on the bed staring at the straw on the floor.

Lily waited, unsure at first. Then she sat alongside him and took his hand. Cradling it between her palms, she rubbed it softly. ‘I’m so sorry about Freath,’ she began gently.

He shook his head. ‘How can it be? I should have stayed with him. Perhaps I could have —’

‘Kirin,’ she cut in, determined to stop the wave of recrimination that she sensed was coming, ‘no amount of blaming yourself can convince me that Freath didn’t know he was living on borrowed time.’

He turned to stare at her with damp eyes. ‘What do you mean?’

Lily raised his hand and kissed it softly, briefly. ‘From everything you’ve told me about courageous Freath, he has been risking his life since before you even came to the palace. He hadcommitted himself to his double life, knew the risks, accepted the consequences. In a way, he’d already given his life to the Valisars.’

Kirin looked broken. ‘He often said that. He would tell me that death was not something he feared because death walked alongside him each day.’

Lily nodded. ‘He truly was a brave and loyal man. Leonel owes him so much.’

‘He was on his way to meet with the king. I just don’t see how things could have gone wrong.’

‘I imagine we’ll hear the details soon enough. For now you must accept that nothing you do can bring him back. You have to concentrate on protecting your life… and mine.’

He gazed at her for a moment, unblinking, and then nodded. ‘You’re right. We haven’t time to spare for grieving. We have to get away from here. That’s the main task.’

‘What are you planning? Where shall we go?’

‘Where we go is the least of our problems. Right now we just need to get as far from General Stracker as possible. The man is mad and has always hated us Vested. With Freath I enjoyed a certain amount of protection simply because he was so close to Loethar. But his death will signal a change, especially with the emperor not even in the palace. Loethar might have tolerated Freath’s association with me but I doubt very much if he’ll lose any sleep over hearing that I met with an accidental death on the end of one of Stracker’s swords.’ He gave a grim smile. ‘And even if he doesn’t kill me he’s almost certainly going to pack me off to wherever the hell they were taking all those other Vested.’

‘Right,’ Lily said, nodding, desperate to be optimistic in her trust of Kirin. ‘What can I do?’

He began opening drawers. ‘Pack whatever you think we might need. Keep it light. There’s some medicines in that cabinet over there,’ he said, pointing.

Lily made a scoffing sound. ‘We don’t need those. I am a walking medicine cabinet, please trust that.’

He nodded. ‘Fine. Help me with this floorboard then.’ Quickly he inserted a thin letter opener into a crack between two boards, raising one of them slightly.

She squatted opposite him. ‘Is this where you keep your money?’

‘I’m afraid so. Not very creative, am I?’

She smiled and pulled on the lifted board. It sighed and then with a soft creak gave way. Beneath it was a sack. Kirin lifted it out and opened it for her to look inside.

Lily raised a shocked gaze to him. ‘Kirin, that’s a small fortune in coin.’

He shrugged. ‘I’ve never had need for money but Freath insisted on my receiving a stipend from the Crown. I’m not sure whether Loethar or Stracker even knew about it. We’ll split it up between us, just in case we get separated or robbed. It’s too noisy for one person to carry anyway.’

Lily nodded, still amazed at the amount of money before her. They busied themselves stashing the coin in pockets and little pouches that Kirin produced, stringing the pouches around each of their necks and two each from their waists.

‘There,’ Kirin said at last, satisfied. ‘Whatever we now need we can buy.’

‘Then let’s go. What’s the plan?’

He bit his lip. ‘It’s too risky to try and organise horses. We’ll have to leave on foot and worry about transport later. We can leave by one of the side gates. I think it’s best if we head down to the chapel. It’s probably the quietest area of the palace complex and at this time will likely be deserted. There’s —’

A loud banging on the door interrupted him. Both Lily and Kirin froze. ‘Master Kirin?’ a voice enquired.

Lily melted into his side as Kirin put a protective arm around her. He nodded encouragement when she stared at him, terrified, and then called out, ‘Who is it?’

‘It’s Leak, Master Kirin, General Stracker’s messenger.’

She felt Kirin straighten and knew her own body had stiffened at the mention of the barbarian.

‘Don’t panic, Lily,’ he whispered. ‘We just have to continue playing our role.’

She nodded, swallowing. Her father had always cautioned that there was no good to be had in the cities. She’d been aware that he had always avoided any contact with the capital in particular; even at festival time when it seemed as though everyone except themselves would travel to Brighthelmstone to enjoy all the merrymaking, she and her father had remained deep in the woodland. When she was younger, Lily had resented their isolation.

But now, sensing Kirin’s fear, knowing that General Stracker was a thug, she realised that life in the woods with her father, and more recently with Kilt, had been so wise. How had Kirin and Freath lived with such constant anguish all these anni?

‘Just a moment,’ Kirin called out and he looked her way.

They had no choice. She nodded.

Kirin opened the door. ‘Yes, what is it, Leak?’

‘General Stracker wishes to see you immediately, Master Kirin.’

‘Immediately?’ Kirin repeated. ‘I thought the general was away.’

‘He returned a short while ago, Master Kirin.’

‘I see. And why the urgency? I have only just returned from a long journey myself. My wife and I are weary, keen to —’

‘I’m sorry, Master Kirin. I was simply asked to fetch you. I have a soldier escort waiting.’

Lily felt her throat go dry as she watched from behind as Kirin peered into the hallway.

‘Since when do we use armed escorts around the palace?’ he demanded, his voice even tighter. ‘What is going on?’

Lily stepped up to her husband and linked arms; she had to convey to him that she would be brave and he must do whateverhe had to in order to keep up the front they had constructed. As frightened as she was, and she knew Kirin must be, it sounded as though facing the general was his only option now. Escape would have to wait.

‘Forgive me, Master Kirin. I am just doing as bid by the general. Can you please come with us now.’ The messenger’s voice was polite but even Lily could hear his waning tolerance.

‘Let me just settle my wife, please. This is most inconvenient and —’

‘Er, the general has requested your wife’s presence too.’

Lily’s heart skipped. ‘Now look here, Leak,’ Kirin tried, ‘this really is —’

‘General’s orders,’ a new voice growled.

Lily didn’t think Kirin had even seen the soldier approach. His bulk filled the doorway without warning as the man stared down at them with an unswerving gaze.

There was nothing her husband could say. ‘Right. Just give me a moment.’ He closed the door and turned to Lily, his mind clearly scrambling.

‘Listen, Kirin,’ she whispered. ‘You have nothing to fear. You had nothing to do with Freath’s death. Your conscience is clear and they will see that as they question you.’

‘But, Lily, I am a traitor. Perhaps they’ll see that too,’ he whispered back, sounding helpless.

‘You’ve hidden it for a decade. Keep hiding it. Come on. How do I look?’ she asked, pushing back her hair and pinching at her cheeks.

‘Beautiful,’ he replied, taking her hand and kissing her cheek. ‘Let’s go face the barbarian beast.’

‘I sense you would prefer to face Loethar.’

‘Not really. Stracker is just a thug. Loethar is far more dangerous because he’s clever and cunning.’

‘So there’s hope, then,’ she quipped and felt a surge of helpless affection for Kirin’s lopsided smile when it came.

Kirin hesitated. ‘Why are we being taken to the emperor’s salon if we are to see General Stracker?’

‘The general has summoned you from these rooms,’ Leak explained.

Kirin glanced at Lily. She looked so pale. He hated himself for bringing her here suddenly. He had endangered her life in order to secure his cover. Glancing at the two guards who flanked him, he caught Lily’s attention and gave her a soft sad smile of encouragement. And as the messenger knocked on the door, he promised himself that come what may he would get Lily out of the palace to safety … even if it killed him.

‘Enter!’ boomed the familiar voice.

‘Kirin and Mistress Felt to see you, general,’ Leak said, entering first.

Kirin duly trooped in, resisting the urge to quail before Stracker’s overwhelming bulk. The general eyed them both smugly and with what Kirin sensed was malicious intent.

‘Welcome back, Felt. You’ve had us all worried.’ He looked over their heads to the soldiers and a slight inclination told them they were dismissed. ‘You too may leave, Leak.’

Kirin waited while the three others left. When the door closed he swallowed. He thought about Freath and how he no longer had the man’s cunning to rely upon; now it was down to him to find a way to extricate them from Stracker.

Stracker seemed to be waiting for a response. Kirin frowned and shrugged. ‘I don’t know why, General Stracker. There was no need for anyone to worry. Master Freath gave me permission to leave Francham.’

‘Freath is dead.’

Kirin blinked. ‘I still can’t believe it. I’ve known the news barely minutes. It seems unthinkable.’

‘And yet it’s true. His body was brought back just days ago. He lay in the morgue while my brother came to terms with it.’ He turned, walked back towards the window and seemed to ponderthis thought. Kirin glanced at Lily, trying to reassure her. She looked petrified. ‘He was murdered, you see.’ He swung back and gave Kirin a hard look.

A silence lengthened as they stared at one another.

Kirin swallowed as the horror of what he’d just heard sank in. ‘Murdered?’ he finally repeated. ‘Kain at the gate mentioned he’d been killed. I assumed it was an accident.’

‘No accident,’ the general said harshly. ‘Stuck in the gut like a pig.’

‘When?’

The general smiled maliciously. ‘The same night you disappeared. Coincidence, eh?’

Kirin felt his throat go dry. He swallowed again. ‘And you think I had something to do with it, general? That I might have organised the slaughter of the man I have kept company for the past decade, with whom I have been friends for all of that time, my superior?’

Stracker shrugged. ‘We’ve been waiting to hear your side of it, certainly.’

‘I did not kill Freath. I did not know of any plot to kill him and I have no knowledge whatsoever of anyone who would wish him harm.’

‘Apart from any number of people he has offended at the palace, starting with me,’ Stracker continued acidly.

‘No one knew of our arrival in Francham. He hadn’t even met anyone official for anyone to be forewarned.’

‘Well, you knew. And then you conveniently disappeared.’

‘I left Freath, at his behest and with his best wishes, to visit my old home. There was nothing untoward about my departure. We planned to see each other back at Brighthelmstone on this day, as arranged,’ Kirin lied.